Mangaluru: The Save Phalguni River Horata Samithi has launched the ‘Save Phalguni River’ campaign with the support of local residents and organisations. In this regard, a massive protest will be organised on March 27 in front of the Pollution Control Board office in Baikampady Industrial Area.In a release, the samithi stated that the Phalguni River, the lifeline of Tulunadu, is a crucial source of drinking water for several villages, supports inland fishing, agriculture, and sustains the economic vitality of riverbank communities. For over a decade, several efforts have been made to protect and preserve this river.The samithi alleged that large industries are discharging untreated waste into the river through the Kadumbur and Thokur streams. These issues have been brought to the attention of the district administration. The National Green Tribunal has also taken suo motu cognisance and filed cases against the district administration. However, the Pollution Control Board, KIADB, and the district administration have failed to take effective action. The Mangaluru City Corporation has secured hundreds of crores as ADB loans for underground drainage systems, but due to corruption and poor-quality work by politicians and officials, the system has become ineffective, resulting in sewage directly flowing into the Phalguni River. Over the past month, the river water from Maravoor Dam to Thannirbhavi has lost its natural colour, emits a foul odour, and aquatic life, including fish and snakes, are found dead and floating in the river. Groundwater has been contaminated, and drinking water sources have become unsafe, the Samithi alleged.
