’Take legal action against river pollution’, TP members demand

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 26, 2017: At the monthly meeting chaired by Taluk Panchayat president Mohammed Monu, Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat passed a resolution calling upon the authorities to take legal action against the culprits, who were responsible for polluting Phalguni river, which led to the death of thousands of fish and affected the marine life in Malavoor dam and the life of humans.

The death of a large number of fish in Gurupura river triggered by  pollution, incited the members, cutting across party lines to demanded action against those who pollute the river.

The river water,  downstream of the Malavoor vented dam had recently turned black and led to the death of fish and other aquatic species causing concern among residents. Though water has cleared for two days, the water has once again turned black on May 24,Wednesday. It said a complaint should be registered against those responsible for the contamination of the river.

Effluents released by the industries is one of the reasons for pollution. If the authorities fail to take action, then residents of all the eight Gram Panchayats coming under the vicinity of Malavoor dam will stage protests. The water has a strange smell and an oil layer appears on the top when  drawn from the well, the members claimed.

Tahsildar Mahadevaiah said DK DC Dr K G Jagadeesha has assured them of taking action after the Karnataka Pollution Control Board officials submit report on the cause of pollution.  The members also urged the Taluk Panchayat executive officer to initiate action against those who dump poultry waste into Gurupura river.

Executive officer Dasananda said Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi has constituted a patrolling team to check those who dump solid waste beside the national and state highway in the district.

The team patrols on the national highway and the state highway from 6 am to 9 am. The public dump the waste and set fire on it before 6 am. "On several occasions, we have seen heaps of garbage on fire while patrolling," the officer said.

Further, regarding income certificates for the schoolchildren, it was asked that it should be issued at the earliest as the schools will reopen shortly. Without village accountants at Gram Panchayats, there has been a delay in the issue of income certificates.  The tahsildar should ensure that income certificates are issued on a priority basis. When member Sridhar raised the issue of encroachment of Gomala land at Bondathila in Neermarga, the tahsildar said a report will be submitted in a week.