Summary

Bacteriological pollution and anaerobic conditions are major aquatic pollutions of its kind in the region due to uncontrolled solid waste dumping and open space human lavatories directly into the canals at certain under developed areas within the region. Similarly, spreading of freshwater weeds like Salvinia which hinders inland navigation and affecting water tourism in the region are also another problem to be tackled. Lack of civic sense, poor living standards and unaware of best and alternate practises are some of the reasons for this decrease in water quality in the region. This may accentuate eutrophication in the nearby lakes thereby triggering blooming of certain harmful/toxic species of algae in the coastal waters where this river inputs into the Arabian Sea through the Vembanad lake. Therefore an improved control and maintenance of the water quality of this region would be a model for implementing similar controlling measures in the other water environments of the coastal regions of India thereby reducing pollution in water bodies

Key Activities

· Conduct of baseline studies on water quality of the study region, Meenachil river canals and adjoining water bodies and preparation of a review on the present water quality, current practises.