The Kadambrayar river in Kerala continues to suffer from severe pollution despite orders from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB). The PCB is yet to determine environmental compensation from industries responsible for discharging untreated effluents into the river.
A 2022 National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive mandated the PCB to assess and levy compensation on polluters, but this remains incomplete. The PCB has identified 26 industries as major polluters, but finalizing the compensation amount is delayed due to challenges in quantifying the environmental damage and disagreements on assessment methodologies.
Initial assessments by the PCB pointed towards a compensation of approximately ₹10 crore, but this figure is contested. Industries argue the assessment is flawed and inflated, while the PCB struggles to establish a concrete link between specific industrial discharge and the extent of environmental degradation.
The pollution affects the river’s ecosystem, impacting local communities reliant on it for drinking water and fishing. High levels of coliform bacteria and chemical contaminants render the water unsuitable for consumption and pose health risks.
The PCB has issued directions to industries to implement effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and comply with pollution control norms. However, enforcement remains a challenge, and many industries continue to violate regulations.
Local residents and environmental activists express frustration over the slow progress and lack of accountability. They highlight the continued discharge of pollutants and the PCB’s inability to effectively enforce environmental laws.
The PCB states it is working to resolve the issues and finalize the compensation amount, but a clear timeline remains uncertain. The delay in levying environmental compensation undermines efforts to restore the river’s ecological health and hold polluters accountable. The case is currently under review by the NGT, which has requested updates on the progress of the compensation assessment.
