Kerala

Active participation of masses required for water conservation

Water resources development requires soil improvement and biomass regeneration in an integrated manner. Concentrate more on harvesting rain water. Organic regeneration of polluted water should be attempted.

Growing more trees and lessening chemical use in soil can improve the organic health of the soil, its water retention capacity and ensure availability of more water.

The adaptability of people to less use of water during water deficient period should be improved through advocacy measures. Retaining or enhancing the areas of paddy fields should get prime attention.

Natural ponds and water bodies should be reclaimed and maintained. A multi-pronged approach in our rain abundant State will yield results.

K. Rajasekharan

Mulagunnathukavu

To a visitor Kerala would be found abundant with water. When it rains, water is everywhere and most of the water flows to rivers and ocean, unimpeded. The dams will become full and maximum utilisation of electricity occurs. But when the season changes, there is scarcity of water and power cut and water shortage.

Rainwater harvesting and rooftop water storing facility etc were mooted by the government and a small section of the people started using this facility, but as the government was not giving further help to them, most of them stopped this, saying it was not feasible. The government should give subsidy to those who harvest rainwater or store rainwater on the rooftop.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

Geographically our State is placed in a vantage point. Nature bestows plenty of rainfall every year. But we have to worry about channelising rainfalls to our advantage. For that the State Government should hold dialogue with society for protection and revival of our rivers. Most of our rivers are suffering from pollution, encroachments and underground water exploitation.

The authorities have to take decisive steps for their protection and revival. They have to build enough check dams and reservoirs to store water not only for drinking, agriculture but also for generating electricity. We are unnecessarily wasting much of our precious time for holding protests, strikes, demonstrations, hartals and bandhs.

If we can use this precious time for productive purposes such as to build check dams and reservoirs, our State will become surplus not only for water, power but also we need not depend on our neighbouring States for food grains and vegetables.

V. Venkitasubramanian

Kochi

Kerala, which is blessed with many rivers and ample rainwater, goes begging for potable water at summer, and at other times in case of failure or delay of monsoon. This is because there is no proper scheme for storage and conservation of water. The water in the rivers is allowed to flow into the sea at all times. With proper planning and little bit of funding, we can store and conserve our water to the optimum. Put to proper use our engineering skills in preventing unhindered flow of water into the sea and provision of embankment and/or additional reservoirs should be considered in right earnestness.

Ambalath Aboobakar

Pavaratty

It is reported that the dams we do have are not having sufficient water for making electricity. As a school student, may I suggest the following: when Idukki dam and other dams are having water, we use it for making electricity.

After this, the water flows to the river and the ocean. Instead of this, why not we reuse this water further for making electricity? Construct more dam sites downstream for this purpose and the same water can be used again before it reaches the sea.

Sreelakshmi Sankar

Poonithura

The main reason for this crisis is the depletion of groundwater.

The solution for this crisis is increasing the ground water level through rainwater harvesting and other means.

We should also consider the use of seawater for heavy industries.

Sreenath S.K.

Kulatoor-Prayar

Prevention is better than cure, let us start preserving our resources and make prudent use of them. The Indian Rubber Research Institute has developed a technology to recycle the waste water generated during the production of natural rubber. According to the Rubber Board sources, the new method developed uses anaerobic technology and can recycle the waste water within 24 hours.

The polluter should pay the penalty and laws should be enforced to see that the polluter pays the penalty. Let there be no loopholes in the enforcement of the same.

Aiswarya Chandran

Changanasserry

The public can do much in this matter, as rainwater harvesting and rooftop rainwater system can be developed by themselves at their own houses and farms. Those who are having this facility can store water at any time, for their own use. Whatever policies the government brings, it will succeed only with the full support and cooperation of the public.

P. Sankaranarayanan

Petta

The draft water policy for the State, presented by the Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran in the Assembly on July 20, 2008 focussed on the need for scientific management of water resources.

This scientific treatment of water as proposed by the Minister, if implemented positively would be a turning point in the history of the State’s water use.

The policy should be opened up for debates and deliberations among the public with due consideration given to expert opinions.

Krishna

(by e-mail)

Kerala has a long coastline. We have more than forty rivers and two monsoons. In spite of all these we face a severe water crisis. We have Agricultural Universities, a Centre for Water Resources Development and Management in addition to the various research and development institutes. Still we face water management issues. The basic problem is that we pollute a lot. We let our sewage flow into rivers and ponds. We need to educate the public on conserving our water resources. Rain water should be harvested. Ground water should be preserved. There should be professional water quality management as well. We have to evolve a policy by understanding the scenario in its totality. The core concern of the policy should be availability of clean and pure water for every member of society.

Karunakaran T.P.

Thiruvananthapuram

The concepts behind the dictum ‘polluter pays’ and the slogan ‘recycle and reuse drainage water’ sounds quite sound.

However, the water crisis in Kerala is triggered not as much by the scarcity of water as by the mismanagement. The bursts of water pipelines are common in Thiruvananthapuram city these days. The pipeline bursts are an example of the absence of effective surveillance.

Harvesting the rainwater is another means to tide over the problem. This should be made a compulsory provision for the new builders of private houses.

N. Sadasivan Pillai

Modinabad

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