Student volunteers step in to revive Periyar ecosystem

To rejuvenate the fish population in the Periyar river, a group of students and teachers from Rajagiri Higher Secondary School, Kalamassery, has undertaken a conservation initiative to address the threat posed by pollution and environmental degradation of the river.

The Global School Eco Warriors, a student-led environmental initiative of the Rajagiri School, released fingerlings of endangered fish species, including Manjakoori (yellow catfish) and Kuruvaparaal (olive barb), into the Periyar river on Friday (January 24).

The river ranching was conducted in collaboration with the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) and the Amar Saath Foundation as part of a campaign promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The release of the fingerlings was held at the Aluva Advaita Ashram kadavu. T. Pradeep Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, inaugurated the programme and pledged the university’s full support for future initiatives led by the students that focus on biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood enhancement for fisherfolk.

The initiative stands as a testament to the power of community-driven conservation efforts and highlights the critical role of youth in safeguarding Kerala’s riverine ecosystems, said a statement issued by Kufos here.

For the record, the portion of the Periyar near the Pathalam bund witnessed a massive and devastating fish kill on May 20, 2024, in which thousands of fish came floating over the waters as a result of the pollution of the river waters. Studies pointed to possible industrial pollution as the cause of the massive fish kill over which studies are going on.