Community steps in as monsoon waste chokes Meenachil
Local communities and authorities in Kerala have launched a cleaning drive to remove plastic and debris from the Meenachil River. The initiative aims to prevent flooding and protect the quality of a vital local drinking water source.
Why it matters
Community-led environmental restoration is critical for maintaining water security and preventing ecological disasters in monsoon-prone regions.
The Meenachil is at its most menacing during the monsoon, when swollen waters sweep everything in their path downstream. Plastic bottles, discarded household articles and uprooted vegetation pile up beneath bridges and around check dams, choking the river at several points and adding to the flood risk along its banks.
With major commercial centres such as Pala, Erattupetta and Kottayam located along the river, the annual accumulation of waste has become a recurring concern. A community-led effort is now under way to clear the debris from the river and its check dams and keep the water flowing freely during the monsoon.
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