Experts have recommended setting up a dyke wall (embankment) with a walkway along the Eloor-Edayar industrial stretch of the Periyar river to enhance surveillance against pollution.They proposed a real-time water quality monitoring system for the upper and lower stretches of the Pathalam regulator-cum-bridge and an AI-assisted warning system to alert downstream fish farmers before opening the shutters. Experts recommended aligning shutter operations with real-time monitoring data.The recommendations are part of the expert committee report constituted by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) that probed the mass fish kill in the Eloor-Edayar stretch of the river in May 2024.The report is among the documents submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board to the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal, which took suo motu notice of the mass fish kill. Experts recommended forming a coordination committee with representatives from various government departments and the Local Self Government department to regulate the Pathalam regulator-cum-bridge operations.The report recommended biodiversity assessment and continuous monitoring of the upper and lower streams of the Pathalam bridge. It suggested evaluating site suitability, including water and sediment quality, before licensing aquaculture activities. It said there should be proper distribution of compensation to fishermen, allied workers, and fish farmers in areas where similar fish kill incidents were reported.The report suggested that proper control and regulations should be followed while using pesticides and fertilizers in the agriculture sector. It also recommended steps to ensure an effective domestic and commercial sewage treatment mechanism with proper control measures.“Unregulated discharges from domestic and commercial establishments may be penalised. Local communities can be engaged in monitoring efforts through citizen science initiatives,” it said.Published - February 22, 2025 09:18 am IST