Continuance of the large-scale pollution of the River Cauvery by authorised and illegal dyeing, textile processing and tanneries on either side of the river (in Namakkal and Erode districts) was the most important issue that was raised by farmers dependent on water from the river to irrigate their fields, at the farmers’ grievances meeting held at the Collectorate recently. Farmers alleged that many such polluting units continue to discharge untreated effluents into the river at Pallipalayam, despite action initiated by authorities concerned. After submitting a petition in this connection to the Collector, the farmers said that in addition to water from the river that is used for irrigation, about 10,000 families were using the highly contaminated water for drinking purposes. State Secretary of Tamil Meetchi Eyakkam C. Nandhagopalan alleged that close to 3,000 small and medium scale textile dyeing units, including illegal units, were functioning in and around Komarapalayam and Pallipalayam towns in Tiruchengode taluk. “These units don’t have effluent treatment plants and directly dump effluents into the river through open drains and hidden pipelines.” Farmers pointed out that water released into the river from Mettur Dam flows through many districts before reaching Nagapattinam, after satisfying the irrigation and drinking water needs of lakhs of people living in the districts alongside its banks. “Multi-coloured effluents drained into the river at Pallipalayam not only affects people living there but also those living downstream,” they added. Two decades “We are experiencing the ill-effects of pollution of this river for more than two decades. Pollution of the river is on the rise day-by-day with several lakh of litres of untreated effluents dumped into the river every day. Not much has been done by the officials concerned despite repeated petitions submitted to the Collectors and officials concerned,” farmers lamented and sought immediate action to put an end to the menace. Talking to newsmen, District Collector D. Jagannathan said that the district administration and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board are taking regular action against the polluters through eviction drives. “However, we will once again monitor the present situation and take necessary action,” he said. The Collector said that the Pallipalayam and Komarapalayam municipalities that are located on the banks of the river have been instructed to treat the water twice in the peak summer season when there is only meagre flow of water in the river before distributing it to the people. “This is to help the people be safe from contamination of potable water,” he added.