Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jan 23: Many awareness programmes to prevent pollution of rivers have started in the district of Dakshina Kannada. Most importantly, the Netravati river on the outskirts of the city, which is the lifeline of supplying water is getting polluted as two to three quintals of wet waste is being dumped in it daily. Most of these are waste of poultry and other meat and rotten vegetables.

In order to prevent people from committing suicide from the Netravati bridge, a wire fence was installed on both sides of the Netravati bridge recently. Now people dump the garbage at the start and endpoint of the bridge, where the backwater of the river flows. In addition, garbage is being dumped on both sides of the highway making the whole environment stink.

For the past one week, an awareness programme on the ill-effects of dumping garbage in the river is being held near the Netravati river. Green squad and other organizations are conducting this programme. They are creating awareness among the drivers and personnel who come to dump the garbage in the river through placards and posters.

In addition to Dakshina Kannada, garbage is being brought from Kerala state and dumped into the Netravati river. Now locals are also joining in the fight against river pollution. Though there is a law that prohibits the dumping of waste on the roadside, most of the roads have become mini dumping yards on both sides. The local administration, which has to stop this menace is acting as if they are blind. This has forced the general public to get down to the street and protest.