Meghan Hodges
Kerala's rivers are facing a pollution crisis. Kallai, which flows through Kozhikode city, has been deemed the most polluted river in the state. The rivers in Kerala are choked with sewage inflows, industrial effluents, and solid waste. The pollution is a result of urbanization and a lack of solid waste management. The rivers' natural cleansing capacity is impacted by reduced summer flow, which is caused by the loss of evergreen forests in upstream catchment areas. The rivers' meandering has also resulted in the formation of small islands that obstruct the flushing out of pollutants. Industrial units along the banks of the rivers, such as Periyar, discharge effluents into the water bodies, further degrading their quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Causes of Pollution | Fluctuation in water availability, urbanisation, change in land use pattern, use of excess chemical fertilizers, change in lifestyle, unscientific waste disposal systems, sewage inflows, industrial effluents, solid waste, sand mining, destruction of catchment areas, dumping of waste on river banks, encroachment |
| Most Polluted Rivers | Kallai, Pamba, Periyar, Karamana, Kallayi, Valapattanam, Meenachil, Chalakkudy |
| Initiatives | Kerala State Pollution Control Board conducted analysis of water quality, Kerala government implemented a "master plan" for eco-friendly actions, Kerala High Court ordered to clear encroachment |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial waste and sewage inflows
Kerala's rivers face pollution from a variety of sources, and industrial waste and sewage inflows are significant contributors. Industrialisation and urbanisation have led to an increase in chemical and manufacturing waste, which often finds its way into rivers. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified the Kallai River, flowing through Kozhikode city, as the most polluted river in Kerala. The report attributes this to the discharge of pollutants from industries and drainage systems, channelled into the river via the Conolly canal.
The Periyar River is another example of a river struggling with pollution from industrial units in the Eloor-Edayar industrial belt. Local residents and environmental activists have formed the Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithi to fight this issue. The river has lost its natural flow due to the destruction of catchment areas, and domestic and industrial waste is directly discharged into the river.
The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has taken on the responsibility of wastewater management, but currently only has 4% coverage in the sewage sector. This has led to direct discharge of sewage into watercourses, contaminating drinking water sources and posing a threat to public health and safety. The state faces challenges in implementing effective wastewater management due to a lack of infrastructure and qualified personnel.
To address these issues, Kerala has approved consultants and wastewater treatment plants to treat industrial and domestic sewage. These plants remove impurities so that the treated wastewater can be safely returned to the environment for reuse. However, the treatment process is complex and time-consuming, requiring qualified environmental engineering companies to design and execute proper waste management solutions.
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) plays a crucial role in regulating industrial emissions and waste management. The board grants consent to industries with conditions to control emission quality and quantity, and it has introduced an online consent management system for industries to submit applications and track their status. The KSPCB also integrates clearance procedures for water and air pollution control, solid waste management, and hazardous waste handling.
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Lack of solid waste management
Kerala has been facing challenges with waste management, and this has had a significant impact on the state's rivers. The state generates an average of 6,000 tons of solid waste daily across its 999 panchayats, 53 municipalities, and 5 corporations. The lack of a comprehensive waste management system has resulted in rivers becoming dumping grounds for various types of waste.
One of the primary issues is the disposal of biodegradable waste from chicken shops, meat shops, and slaughterhouses. It is common practice to throw these wastes into rivers or nearby water bodies, leading to severe groundwater contamination. Kerala is estimated to have around 700 authorized slaughterhouses and several times more illegal slaughter shops. In addition, approximately 12 lakh kilograms of chicken are transported into the state from Tamil Nadu daily, contributing to the large volume of waste generated.
The state also struggles with the management of non-biodegradable waste, such as plastic and e-waste. Scrap dealers play a significant role in handling non-biodegradable waste, but they lack adequate regulation. As a result, unauthorized transportation and dumping of e-waste have been reported. Kerala's practice of sending plastic waste to other states for recycling or incineration in cement factories only shifts the burden of waste management elsewhere.
The absence of reliable data on waste generation and composition further complicates the issue. Official data suggest that annual municipal solid waste generation has remained stagnant at 3.17 million tons since 2017, despite the state's rapid urban growth and changing consumption patterns. An audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in 2022 revealed that none of the audited urban local bodies performed the scientific surveys mandated by the Solid Waste Management Manual 2020.
Furthermore, the state's rapid urbanization and changing land use patterns have led to increased pollution from household and industrial sources. Domestic and industrial waste from various regions is directly discharged into rivers, and urbanization has also resulted in vehicular traffic beyond the carrying capacity of roads, contributing to air and water pollution.
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Urbanisation and land use changes
The rivers in Kerala are primarily formed by streams originating from the Western Ghats, which are heavily influenced by both the quality and quantity of water availability. When these streams reach highly populated areas, they become polluted. This pollution is further aggravated by the dumping of solid waste on riverbanks, as observed in the case of the Kallai River, deemed the most polluted river in Kerala by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Land use changes, such as filling up fields and rivers for commercial purposes, have also contributed to the pollution of rivers in Kerala. This has resulted in the destruction of catchment areas, causing the river's smaller streams to dry up and altering the entire ecosystem. Additionally, unscientific waste disposal systems, including sewerage discharge into water bodies, have been identified as significant sources of pollution. Various studies indicate that a substantial amount of waste is released into rivers from hotels, markets, slaughterhouses, and other establishments.
To address these issues, efficient land use strategies and comprehensive policies are vital. The Kerala State Planning Board has emphasised the need to examine how land use patterns can adapt to rapid urbanisation and how agricultural production can be optimised within the context of climate change. The utilisation of satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, and machine learning tools has been proposed to formulate effective land use strategies and accurately assess water bodies and topography for crop suitability.
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Agricultural runoff and pesticides
Kerala's rivers are polluted by agricultural runoff and pesticides. The state's rivers are a vital source of water, but they face significant pollution challenges due to various human activities, including agricultural practices.
Agricultural runoff occurs when excess chemicals and nutrients from fertilisers and pesticides are washed off fields and enter nearby water bodies. This runoff can carry harmful substances, such as pesticides, into rivers, leading to water contamination. Pesticides are widely used in agriculture to protect crops from pests and diseases. However, their overuse and misuse can have detrimental effects on the environment, including water bodies.
In Kerala, the use of pesticides in agriculture has been a long-standing practice. As early as the 1940s, farmers started using pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides to combat insects, fungi, bacteria, and weeds. Over time, different formulations of pesticides gained popularity, including DDT, BHC, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and organophosphates. The types and quantities of pesticides used have continued to evolve as pests develop resistance.
The indiscriminate application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in Kerala has led to soil pollution and the contamination of water bodies. Excess fertiliser use reduces soil productivity and affects the nutritional content of crops. Pesticides, particularly highly hazardous ones, pose risks to both environmental and human health. Recognising these risks, Kerala banned 14 highly hazardous pesticides in 2011, resulting in a significant reduction in deaths from pesticide poisoning.
Studies have shown that banning hazardous pesticides does not adversely affect crop yields. Data analysed from eight key crops in Kerala treated with the banned pesticides revealed no evidence of a negative impact on agricultural yields. This provides strong evidence that hazardous pesticides can be eliminated from agricultural practices without compromising food production.
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Encroachment and filling-up of rivers
Kerala's rivers are small and lacking in deltas, making them more vulnerable to environmental factors. One of the primary causes of river pollution in Kerala is encroachment and the filling-up of rivers for commercial purposes. The state's rivers are already burdened by the discharge of pollutants from households, shops, hotels, markets, slaughterhouses, colonies, and workshops. The issue is further exacerbated by encroachment and the filling-up of rivers, which obstructs the flushing out of pollutants and even leads to changes in the river course.
The Revenue Department has identified 1,382 encroachments along 44 rivers and waterways, but only 70 have been cleared so far. This issue is particularly prevalent in certain districts, such as Idukki, where 525 of the 581 identified encroachments are along the Periyar River. In Manjumala village, it was reported that 500 families were residing in an encroached area along the Periyar River, yet no action has been taken.
The Kallai River, which flows through Kozhikode city, has been deemed the most polluted river in Kerala by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Large-scale encroachment was cited as one of the critical issues contributing to its degraded state. The Kerala High Court ordered the clearance of these encroachments in 2021, but this directive has not been implemented.
The problem of encroachment and filling-up of rivers in Kerala is not limited to a single river or district. It is a widespread issue that requires urgent attention and action from the authorities. The slow pace of eviction and clearance of encroachments is attributed to pressure from local bodies, political interference, and negligence by officials, according to environmental activists.
The state's rivers are vital sources of water and support a diverse range of ecosystems. It is imperative that concerted efforts are made to address the issue of encroachment and filling-up of rivers, as well as to regulate and control commercial activities that significantly contribute to the pollution of these vital water bodies.
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Frequently asked questions
Rivers in Kerala are polluted by sewage inflows, industrial effluents, and solid waste.
River pollution in Kerala has resulted in high levels of bacteria, including E. coli, making the water unfit for drinking. It has also led to reduced flow and impacted the natural cleansing capacity of rivers.
The Kallai River in Kozhikode, Kerala, has been named the most polluted river in the state due to industrial waste and encroachment issues.
Efforts are being made to address river pollution in Kerala, such as the implementation of a "master plan" to make activities at the Pamba River eco-friendly and initiatives by organisations like the Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithi to fight pollution.
Urbanisation has resulted in a change in land use patterns, increased use of chemical fertilisers, and an unscientific waste disposal system, leading to the discharge of sewage and other pollutants into the rivers.
