last week there was a bizzare discoloration of river periyar even in downstream areas such as alwayae and onto eloor.

everybody suspected the ususal pollution from the polluting units at eloor. but it turns out the culprit is the opening of shutters in Kallarkutty dam due to which the sediments from the dam polluted the periyar.

periyar river gives drinking water to several lakhs and lakhs of people in ernakulam district and beyond. but the river has been repeatedly abused.

this also brings out the fact the 'temples of modern india' - the dams, are ill maintained with the concerned authorities having very little clue on the sediments that get formed.

when it comes to development of india, the crucial rivers such as periyar are just a footnote that can be sewaged, polluted, abused and destroyed, for the rivers do not participate in the 10% growth figure or increased gdp count.

(majestic river periyar at outskirts of alwayae. the pumping station in alwayae, i guess pumps out polluted water from all kinds of things such as sediments, eloor pollution, etc)

(majestic river periyar in alwayae at sunset. using the majesticity of periyar a viable eco tourism can be created with communities having a stake in the tourism reveune and upkeep of the river)