Samithi demands total stop to industrial pollution of Phalguni River

The Nagarika Horata Samithi, Surathkal, on Wednesday, February 11, urged the district administration to act decisively to prevent the pollution of Phalguni (Gurupura) River and its tributaries caused by industrial effluents.

If the administration and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) resort to their “usual” patching up exercise to “hoodwink” the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Samithi, along with thousands of residents, would lay siege to the KSPCB regional office besides launching a massive struggle to protect the Phalguni, Samithi convener Muneer Katipalla said.

Based on news reports regarding the pollution of the Phalguni appearing in The Hindu, the NGT had on April 29, 2022, constituted a committee comprising representatives of the Union Environment Ministry, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner and the KSPCB. The committee was mandated to ascertain the causes of the pollution and suggest remedial measures.

Foul smell

The aquatic life in rivulets flowing through Baikampady Industrial Area and joining Phalguni (Gurupura) River was perishing due to industrial pollution, Nagarika Horata Samithi, Surathkal, said on Wednesday, in Mangaluru.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Mr. Katipalla said water in the Kuloor and Raikatte rivulets that flow into Phalguni was polluted and stinking, leaving the aquatic life dead. Fish, crab, snakes and other species were found dead and floating in the water. This has created an unbearable situation in the densely populated locality, he said.

Mr. Katipalla reiterated that the pollution was being caused by effluents being let out by industries in the Baikampady Industrial Area. He wanted the district administration to conduct a comprehensive probe and take immediate decisive steps to save the riverine system from decay.

Fish, crab, snakes and other species were found dead and floating in the water, Nagarika Horata Samithi, Surathkal, said on Wednesday, in Mangaluru.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

He said Phanguni water from Maravoor Bridge to Kuloor Creek has turned black with the oxygen levels dropping to zero. He chided the district administration for claiming that the water stagnation was due to the placement of a coffer bund for the construction of a bridge between Sultan Bathery and Tannirbhavi.

The pollution, Mr. Katipalla said, has been in place for many years due to industrial effluents and the failure of the district administration to prevent it despite the intervention of the NGT. The administration was taking only superficial measures and showing the same to the Tribunal to escape being pulled up, he alleged.

Catholic Sabha’s plea

Meanwhile, Catholic Sabha, Kulur wing, on Wednesday petitioned Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan to arrange for immediate corrective measures to prevent the pollution of Phalguni River. In a memorandum, the Sabha said the river water has become stagnant near Kuloor due to the coffer bund for the bridge construction. Water was not flowing into the Arabian Sea due to the absence of natural high and low tides. Also, industrial effluents were being let out to the tributaries of Phalguni, it said.

Kulur Church priest Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo, Sabha president Rovin D’Souza and others were present.