KOZHIKODE: Six gram panchayats on the bank of Iruvanjir river have joined hands to protect the river from pollution. The move is in the backdrop of a study conducted by Kodiyathur gram panchayat on the bio diversity of the river and river bank.

Apart from Kodiyathur, Thiruvambadi, Mukkom, Chathamangalam, Kodenchery and Karassery panchayats have also joined the river protection venture. A draft plan has also been prepared to protect the river from pollution and mining.

"We have started organizing programmes to make people residing on the bank of the river aware of the importance to protect the river from pollution," said Sainaba Chalil, president of Kodiyathur gram panchayat. Ward level committees will be formed to coordinate this activity, she added.

Besides, the support of police and health department will also be sought to carry out inspections on the banks to prevent the dumping of slaughter waste and other waste in the river. The action committee has also decided to organize cleaning drive to remove plastic and other waste particles from the river.

Seeking the support of the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), the action committee also plans to test the quality of water in various drinking water resources in the six panchayats. The move is expected to make people aware of the extent of harm the pollution had done on the quality of water, said Antony Neervelil, president of Kodenchery panchayat.

Formation of special committees to monitor and prevent illegal sand mining, formation of panchayat level committees to ensure sanitation facilities for migrant labourers are also listed in the draft plan. At present, many of the contractors who provide accommodation to migrant labourers do not provide proper sanitation facilities to them resulting in river pollution, the draft plan reviewed.

The action committee will also prepare a study report on Iruvanji River and print it in the form of a text book for distribution among the locals. A helpline number will also be arranged to enable the locals to report about the dumping of waste and other illegal activities on the river bank.

Use of chemical for fishing, excessive use of fertilizers on the fields for agriculture purposes have also harmed the river and special awareness against chemical- fertiliser use will be organized, said N Surendranath, panchayat president, Mukkom.

The action committee is planning to implement all these schemes in the next three months with the support of local people, politicians, social workers and government departments, said the office bearers of the action committee.