The Hindu             04.07.2013 

Big plans to clean toxic Vrishabhavati

Those living in the Vrishabhavati valley in Bidadi hobli may expect some relief soon as the Ramanagaram district administration has decided to clean the river with the assistance of a Mysore-based agency.

The Vrishabhavati, a tributary of the Arkavati, is polluted by effluents from industrial, agricultural and domestic sources. A large number of people living in the vicinity of Bhyramangala, Ittamadu, Chowkahalli, Shanamangala, Ramanahalli, Sheshagirihalli and Gopahalli are facing health hazards because of the polluted water. The polluted water has impacted agriculture too.

High Court notice

Recently, the Karnataka High Court ordered issue notice to the State government, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and other authorities when the issue of contaminated water being supplied to several areas in Bangalore was highlighted in a newspaper.

Subsequently, the Ramanagaram district administration decided to take up the project to reduce pollution levels in the Vrishabhavati.

Project report

“Reducing pollution levels or cleaning the river is a major task and requires a lot of preparations. We have requested a private agency [Jalavahini Management Services Pvt. Ltd.] in Mysore to submit a detailed report by July 21,” V. Srirama Reddy, Deputy Commissioner of Ramanagaram, told The Hindu on Tuesday. Mr. Reddy said he visited several villages along the banks of the Vrishabhavati and interacted with affected people.

High levels of toxic pollutants such as arsenic and zinc were found in groundwater in the vicinity of the Bhyramangala tank (located along the river’s course). “I have asked authorities of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and departments of Health, Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry to submit reports on the impact of the polluted water on people and cattle,” Mr. Reddy said.

Budget

The Ramanagaram district administration will finalise the project after receiving the report from the agency. “Later, we will fix a budget and timeframe for cleaning the river,” he said.

As part of the project, the district administration is planning to set up treatment plants near the Bhyramangala tank. Jalavahini is providing sustainable and cost-effective organic solution to waste management issues in Mysore, an officer in the Ramanagaram Deputy Commissioner’s office, said.