MANGALURU: Based on a complaint received over the phone on the Phalguni river pollution, a delegation visited the riverbank on Monday to understand the cause of pollution.
Deputy tahsildar Shivaprasad said that though there was no written complaint, a delegation including revenue inspector Navaneeta Malava visited the spot. Locals claimed that the water had turned black especially in a few areas near the bridge and pollution was also noticed at a holy pond. “We will visit the area again, to check if there is pollution and submit a report,” Shivaprasad said.
The locals also feared fish kill and suspected that industrial effluents are being directly let into the river. They fear that the wells in the surrounding area are also getting polluted. For gram panchayats, Paduperara, Ganjimutt, Kandavara and Gurupur, this river is the major source of drinking water.
Prakash Shetty, owner, Kapila Park Goshala, in Kenjar that is protecting the Kapila species of cow, said they have noticed a reduction in fish population and the water has turned sticky. “When we raised the river pollution issue about three years ago, the administration said they would test the water regularly. However, this is not being done,” he added.