ALAPPUZHA: For the fragile ecosystem of Kuttanad, the arrival of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission was like the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

The commission conducted four rounds of visits and interacted with various stakeholders for the development of the region. But, the moot question is whether anything would come out of it, feel the local people.

The Commission is expected to submit its report to the Union Government in June. The Swaminathan Commission is not the first one to visit Kuttanad. The number of commissions, according to officials here, is not less than 30 and unfortunately, nothing much has changed.

On Wednesday, as the Commission, which as a Union Government-appointed body has conducted the most extensive study on the region so far, sat for one

final round of deliberations with environmentalists, scientists, scholars and those connected with the Kuttanad ecology, this was one concern expressed by many. Even if the Centre accepts the recommendations and allows the requisite funds, what will be the State Government's approach? Who will implement the recommendations?

N.K. Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of Pampa Parirakshana Samithy, expects no miracle. "The fate of the Pampa Action Plan is the best example. The Union Government included the Plan in the National River Conservation Programme (NRCP). It sanctioned Rs.319.7 crore for the project and gave administrative and technical sanction.

"The first phase, proposed to clean the Pampa of pollutants from Sabarimala to Thakazhi, was to cost Rs.18.45 crore, of which Rs.75 lakh was given to the State Government as advance. That was in May 2003. So far, nothing much has moved and the administrative sanction expired on March 31, 2007," said Mr. Nair, this year's winner of the Jaiji Peter Foundation gold medal for the State's best environmentalist.

"The situation of Vembanad Lake, which was included in the National Lake Conservation Programme, a component of the NRCP, is no different. Even after the lake was included in the programme three years back, the State Government has not submitted even a project report." "There should be a centralised authority with sincere, responsible officials from all departments, and with adequate powers to finish such projects within a stipulated timeframe. None of our past projects has been like this, and in several cases, the very purpose of the project has been defeated," Mr. Nair said. Commission's panel team leader S. Bala Ravi says: "We can only submit a comprehensive report with recommendations and the Centre can provide funds. Utilisation depends on the State Government and local governing bodies. Pampa has a lesson for us. We realise that and we will do our best."

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