The Hindu Business Line : Clean water: People have a vital role in Kerala

A MASSIVE educational programme to spread the message for preservation and control of water resources in the State is the need of the hour considering its potential in various walks of life.

Without the full participation of people, implementation of any programmes in waterways development will face serious difficulties, said Mr T. Elangovan, Director, National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). Citing the example of Kerala's `African payal' (water hyacinth) menace, he pointed out that it is an almost impossible task for the State to undertake eradication of these weeds without the participation of the masses.

A well chalked out programme for tackling such problems should be designed drawing people's participation in its implementation, he added.

According to Mr Elangovan, the problem of water pollution particularly that of rivers has attracted the attention of planners and decision makers in recent times. It has been estimated that about 50,000 cubic metres of trade effluents are being dumped into rivers and tidal waters of the State every day.

Apart from this, organic pollution caused by the discharge of sewage and community wastes, excess chemicals especially biocides from agricultural operations finds its way into the water bodies.

The retting of coconut husks and seasoning of timber in water bodies in the backwaters also contribute pollution. Preliminary studies conducted by the State Pollution Control Board had shown that certain reaches of Chaliyar, Periyar including Chitrapuzha and Kallada grossly polluted, he said.

Sewerage scheme exists only in two cities in the State and that too partially. The entire sewage and sullage are being let into beaches in many places. It is important that adequate collection and treatment of municipal sewage is taken up urgently to save the water resources from pollution, he added.

The total inland water bodies in the State extend over one lakh hectares. A rough estimate revealed that a hectare of backwater is capable of producing as much as 4-5 tonnes of fish per annum by adopting systematic and scientific methods. It would be possible to produce about three lakh tonnes of fish from its backwaters, lakes and reservoirs, of which two lakh tonnes could be produced from backwaters alone.

Thus, the extensive backwaters provide enormous scope for culture fisheries ensuring rural development and employment. Any attempt at developing the water resources should have a favourable and positive impact on the economic well being of the people, he added.

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