Need for concerted efforts to protect Vaigai
The Hindu
Physical, chemical and biological parameters of the river unfit for use, says study
A study conducted by Centre for Urban Water Resource (CURE) of Dhan Foundation revealed that physical, chemical and biological parameters of the Vaigai are unfit for use. The samples lifted from eight out of nine spots of the Vaigai were found to be unfit for human use. The members of the CURE had conducted a study titled ‘Urban Vaigai- Under Isolation,’ which was released in Dhan Foundation’s magazine ‘Water Watch.’ The study said that ancient Tamil epics like Silapathikaram, Agananuru, Purananuru, Kalithogai and Thiruvilaiyadal Purnam had spoken about a thriving Vaigai river. However, the river is full of prosopsis juliflora, water hyacinth, sewage and solid waste due to urbanisation. The Vaigai is completely alkaline in nature. The samples lifted from the check dam at Ismailpuram showed the presence of ammonia, which is an indicator of high level of degeneration. The dissolved oxygen in the Vaigai varies from 1 to 4 mg per litre. Usually, a value of zero dissolved oxygen would indicate that the river is technically dead.More Related News