KOCHI: A study conducted by the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, revealed that the water in the Periyar river is highly toxic. Of the 200 samples collected by the lab from various points of the river, many were found to be poisonous. A report in this regard will be submitted before the High Court in the next week.

A Division Bench of the High Court had asked the NIIST to submit a report on the quality of drinking water from Periyar. The High Court had earlier appointed an Advocate Commission to look into the issue of pollution in Periyar.