Recent news about the Pamba River as of August 2025:

• The central government is taking steps to include the Pamba River under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), which is a multi-crore initiative aimed at protecting major rivers across India. .
• Kerala has recently experienced heavy rains causing the authorities to issue warnings for rising water levels in rivers including the Pamba. The Kakki-Anathode dam, which feeds the Pamba River, released water due to inflow from the heavy rains.
• The river is highly polluted due to sewage discharge from nearby areas, including from illegal constructions along the riverbanks. 
•  It is sacred due to its association with the Sabarimala temple, where pilgrims bathe in the river before and after their trek. 

About Pamba River

• The Pamba River, also known as the Pampa River, is the third longest river in the Indian state of Kerala, after the Periyar and Bharathappuzha rivers.
•  It is the longest river in the former princely state of Travancore.
• The river originates at Pulachimalai Hill in the Peerumedu Plateau of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1,650 meters (5,410 feet) in Idukki district.
• The Pamba River flows for about 176 kilometers through the districts of Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha, before draining into the Vembanad Lake, eventually reaching the Arabian Sea.
•  Its basin covers an area of 2,235 square kilometers within Kerala. The river nourishes fertile agricultural areas like Kuttanad, known for rice cultivation, and supports a rich cultural and religious heritage in the region.
• The river is often referred to as the "Dakshina Bhageerathi" or southern Ganga due to its sacred status.
• Environmental concerns exist due to pollution from agricultural runoff, rituals, and sand mining, which threaten the river's health despite ongoing conservation efforts.

Overall, the Pamba River is not only an important water resource but is also deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual life of Kerala.

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