T’puram: State human rights commission (SHRC) intervened to expedite the removal and scientific disposal of water hyacinth from Parvathy Puthanar canal, and Akkulam and Veli waterbodies in the city.SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas directed city corporation to examine and implement a project proposal submitted by scientific adviser G Nagendra Prabhu, with the approval of the district planning panel. The proposal envisions not only the systematic removal of invasive water hyacinth but also its scientific processing to create value-added products, thereby generating eco-friendly livelihood opportunities. The district collector was asked to forward a copy of the proposal to the corporation secretary. SHRC’s intervention followed reports from the city corporation’s Clean City Manager and Inland Water Transport department’s assistant engineer that slaughter waste and other rubbish are routinely dumped into Parvathy Puthanar. SHRC called for strict surveillance by police and municipal authorities to prevent further dumping. Justice Thomas directed the collector to convene an urgent meeting with the officials concerned. Strict legal action must be initiated against those found dumping waste, and adequate police deployment should be ensured by the city police commissioner if required.
