Adopt a River

Rivers are the life of an ecosystem. It provides water for agriculture, and household uses, supports aquatic life and is a part of the water cycle. Kerala widely known as God’s Own Country is blessed with rivers, lakes, estuaries etc. that end up in the sea. Even though, many of these water sources are in a dying phase due to extreme pollution due to increased anthropogenic activities. Manimala River which flows through Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and a small portion through Alappuzha and Idukki, is one such river in Kerala that is in the peak of pollution. The river originates from Thattamalai hills of the Western Ghats, one of the major biogeographic zone of India. Along with anthropogenic courses, natural calamities like landslips, landslides, floods, etc. are also depleting the river quality and destroyed the riverine ecosystem. The recent flood dumped a huge amount of waste, especially plastic waste and many of the bridges were blocked with these. Vegetative cover loss, immigration, and migration of species, water quality depletion, algal bloom, eutrophication changes in natural water flow, waste dumping, sewage, etc. are the major issues facing by the Manimala River.

The recent study conducted by TIES research team at Mallappally, Keezhvaipur, Manimala, and Karimbukayam regions of Manimala River shows that the river is in its extremity of pollution. A total of 12 samples were collected from these sites and underwent laboratory analysis. For the study samples were collected both from town as well as village areas. The majority of the samples were collected from the Mallapally region, a town area. All sites are polluted by domestic usage (like bathing, washing, etc.), waste dumping by nearby houses, wastewater from drainage, plastic waste, and at one site (Karimbukayam), a rubber-based factory is present, which is polluting a pond situated nearby. Laboratory analysis shows that the organic carbon and oil content levels in all four sites are above the permissible limits. Bacteriological analysis showed the presence of E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., Salmonella sp., and Vibrio sp., in the study sites along with high levels of coliform bacteria (MPN Count). BOD levels are also high, except at Manimala. This shows that the river is highly contaminated. The Panchayat officials were informed about this situation of the River and also we are planning to organize a massive awareness campaign for the river bank community, shopkeepers, etc. to combat these pollution hikes. Community participation along with Government officials can only make this restoration sustainable.

• Laboratory Analysis of samples (PDF)
  

Cloudburst and associated flash floods at Pathanamthitta and Kottayam Districts in Kerala resulted in water level rise at Pamba, Manimala, Meenachil Rivers, etc. This has affected the river hydrology extensively and fractured the riverine ecosystems of the Manimala River. Incidentally, soon after the flood, within a period of 4-5 weeks, the river almost dried up and the water quality changed. This has negatively affected the aquatic ecosystem and riverine ecosystem. A team of TIES officials and research scholars inspected the upstream areas (50km) of the Manimala River to collect water samples in order to study the extent of pollution. The team also surveyed the river bank features and pollution aspects that are pertaining to the area. The study shows that plastic and sewage are the major pollutants and it comes from nearby residential areas, hotels, and markets. Most of the wastewater outlets of the river bank hotels and factories end up at the river. Pollution and riverine survey were also conducted among the riverbank community. People say that many of their wells are dried up at the beginning of the summer season itself and the condition of water in the river is extremely poor over the entire stretch of the river. Among the four sites from which water samples were collected, Mundakayam is the most polluted area. People also have an opinion that in some areas the water is stinky and extremely polluted.

The four major sites include: Kuruvamozhi, Koratti, Mundakayam and Koottikkal. The water samples were analyzed for microbiological and phsyiochemical parameters.

Research revealed that all the collected samples were contaminated with potential bacterial pathogens. Salmonella sp. was found in all the collected samples. Pseudomonas sp. and Vibrio sp. were found in the samples collected from Kuruvamozhi and Koratti regions. The samples from Mundakkayam region were contaminated with Pseudomonas sp. and the samples from Koottickal region were contaminated with Pseudomonas sp. and Vibrio sp.

An awareness campaign will be conducted among the riverbank community with the participation of local bodies, in order to curb the outbreak of serious water-borne diseases.