The sight of brackish water and scores of dead fish along the embankments of Noyyal River near Othapanai in the district has revived fears of indiscriminate discharge of untreated effluents by dyeing units. At stake is the cultivability of agricultural land in thousands of acres in surrounding villages. Farmers fear that their cultivable land will turn barren if the pollution is not checked with all seriousness by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. According to residents in surrounding villages, water has turned brackish and was stinking. Water in wells was also unusable and the people were facing an ordeal for meeting drinking water needs. The indiscriminate pollution of Noyyal River was halted a few years back by the High Court. However, a section of dyeing units has attempted emptying of untreated effluent brought in tanker lorries into the river at Othapanai, locals complained. Farmers urged the Pollution Control Board to step up vigil during night hours to prevent such occurrences in future. Else, the agricultural lands will turn barren completely, they cautioned.
2016, The Hindu