Periyar is one of the longest and perennial rivers of India which flows across Kerala. Periyar plays an important role in Kerala because it is a source of drinking and domestic water for many cities across the state and is a reflection of Kerala's economy because it helps in activities such as irrigation, fishing and industrial purposes. The river generates a good amount of electricity for the state through the Idukki dam. The banks of Periyar are home to around 25% of Kerala's commercial industries. The 'Eloor Industrial Area' lies around Periyar Banks and has around 250 industries which include a dozen chemical manufacturing factories. The first and central problem of Periyar lies in the fact that it is used illegally by these factories as a TSDF (transfer, storage and disposal facility) for many hazardous wastes. Chemicals such as DDT, cyanide, and metals such as lead and mercury are found every year.1 This dangerous pollution around the surrounding wetlands has wiped out almost all traditional occupations such as agriculture and fishing, resulting in job losses. The pollution has led to an increased risk of diseases such as cancer, asthma and chromosomal disorders among industry and state residents because they have access to contaminated fish, meat, milk or eggs produced in the area. The second major problem faced by this river is illegal sand mining which destroys the ecological habitat, waterlogging and trapping of saline water due to artificial deepening of the river basin. Several plausible solutions such as signing online petitions are being explored and are being addressed to the Kerala state government. These petitions are opened all over the world also providing a description of nature...... middle of paper ...... who know their duties and roles under the “Water (Prevention and Control) Act ", 1974.7 With an efficient workforce who enforce the law truthfully and in all serious scenarios, Periyar could be saved from disappearing as a symbol of Kerala's environmental economy. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periyar_(river) http://www.thepetitionsite.com /991/429/721/curb-industrial-pollution-of-the-periyar-river/ http: //www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/periyar-river-pollution-monitoring-system-opened/article5544324 .ece http://www.slideshare.net/charujaiswal/enviornmental-protection-act-1986-21418888 http://www.commoncause.in/EnvironmentProtection/Hazardous%20Waste%20Managementand%20Handling%20Rules%201989.pdf http://www.environmentallawsofindia.com/the-environment-definitions-and-acts.html http:// hspcb.gov.in/Water%20Act,%201974%20Relevant%20provisions.pdf