Lok Sabha Question No. 1881 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-14
Subject: Pollution in Periyar River
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## 1881. DR. SHASHI THAROOR

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  about  300  chemical  companies  belch  out  poisonous  fumes  and  various organic fertilizers, metallic components, toxic metals like cadmium, copper, zinc and all the heavy metals which can be detected in river Periyar;

(b) whether the Government has any schemes/policies to mitigate this;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has conducted any research on the harmful side effects of this phenomena in the areas near river Periyar; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) to (e) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in collaboration with the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), is  regularly  monitoring  the  Water  Quality  of  river  Periyar  through  a  network  of  12  monitoring  stations under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP).

As reported, KSPCB has set up 24 hour surveillance office at Eloor that continuously monitor the industries in the State, including industries situated in Periyar Basin. The Board had also installed surveillance cameras at the bank of River Periyar to detect any discharge into the river. Further, heavy metals and pesticide pollution monitoring in river Periyar water is being carried out once in six months by KSPCB. As per the latest report of April 2023, heavy metals namely cadmium, arsenic, copper, lead, nickel, chromium (total) and manganese have not been reported in the river except for traces of iron and zinc.

As per the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat their effluents to comply with  stipulated  environmental  standards  before  discharging  into  river  and  water  bodies.  Accordingly, CPCB  and KSPCB monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take punitive action for non-compliance under provisions of these Acts.

Besides, in compliance with the orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT) in its Original Application No. 673/2018,  regarding  rejuvenation  of  polluted  river  stretches  in  the  country,  States/UTs  are  required  to  implement approved action plans for restoration of the polluted stretches in their jurisdiction as identified by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, within the stipulated timelines. Action plan was prepared and implemented by the coordinated efforts of District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) and is being reviewed regularly by Chief Secretary at the State level, and by the Secretary, Department of Water resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation at the Central level.

As reported, CPCB has not conducted any specific study on harmful side effects of this phenomenon in area near  river  Periyar.  However, since  2019,  the  National  River  Conservation  Directorate  under  this  Ministry  initiated efforts towards monitoring and conserving the ecological integrity of six Indian rivers, including Periyar river. The project titled 'Assessment of the Ecological Status of select Indian rivers for Conservation Planning'  in collaboration with  WildLife  Institute  of  India,  Dehradun  aims  to  comprehensively  evaluate  the  ecological  status  including assessment of the impact of toxic pollutants in aquatic biodiversity.

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1881

## ANSWERED ON 14.12.2023

## POLLUTION IN PERIYAR RIVER

## ANSWER