Pathanamthitta: The Harrisons plantation at Laha has been suffocating the sacred Pampa river and its tributary Kakkattar with weedicides. This is the second time in six months that the company has been accused of unscientific weedicide use in the last six months.
Weedicides are being used in Kappakkad, Laha and Peruman divisions of the estate. Several streams like the Murithanithodu, Potammuzhithodu, Velamplavilthodu and Madathilthodu carry the weedicide residue to Kakkattar. The Murithanithodu is reported to be the most polluted.
The stretch between Laha division and Murithanithodu has seen the latest round of weedicide assault. The water in these streams and rivers are used by the Ayyappans during 'masapuja' and even for cooking during the pilgrim season.
The drinking water needs of local workers who live nearby is also threatened with this. The water in the Kappakkad pond is also under serious threat. The company had promised the local CPM leadership that the practice will be stopped. This was after they had protested against the weedicide use after three cows died of poisoning.
CPM leader S Haridas said that the weedicide packets are being swapped before they are being brought to the plantation. He also said that the workers at the plantation are also under severe distress due to the weedicide use. The party is considering a protest as the agreement has been violated.
Social worker Biju said that most locals were suffering from Asthma and similar diseases adding that most people do not have another place to relocate, forcing them into poisoning. The company which has been accused of recklessly saving expenses by using banned weedicides instead of employing people to manually remove the weeds has summarily rejected the accusations. They have reiterated their stand that the weedicides being used are legal, safe and within the parameters set by the government.
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