The Hindu Business Line : Doubts over implementation of Kuttanad development plan

Kochi, Nov. 14 Given the slow pace of progress in implementing projects such as the Pampa Action Plan (PAP) under the National River Conservation Programme and the Vembanadu Wetland Project under National Lake Conservation Programme, there are apprehensions about the execution of the project for Kuttanad recommended by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).

The Foundation has recommended measures to mitigate agrarian distress in Alappuzha and Kuttanad wetland ecosystem. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,839.75 crore.

Lack of co-ordination

The report expressed grave concern over “compartmentalised functioning of not only departments under the government, but also the divisions within each department with no or rare coordination and cooperation”. It called for a well-coordinated orchestration of all implementing agencies for “Kuttanad regeneration symphony.”

The Foundation recommended a two-tier structure for the implementation set-up. The Kuttanad and Alappuzha Prosperity Council (KAPCO), chaired by the Chief Minister, may provide required policy guidance and monitoring of task implementation.

The second tier set-up is ‘Task Implementation Committee (TIC)’ chaired by the Chief Secretary. “It is desirable to provide statutory status to the special purpose vehicle created for task implementation, the report said.

The apprehensions of the people are based on the experience so far in implementing the PAP and the Vembanadu Lake Conservation Programme, said Mr N.K.S. Nair, General Secretary of an NGO Pampa Parirakshana Samithi, who participated in discussions with MSSRF.

He told Business Line that for implementing the Foundation’s recommendations, young technocrats and scientists presently working in various government departments/agencies should be drawn and allowed to work under one umbrella right from the beginning.

Otherwise, it might also face the fate of the VLCP, which still remains a non-starter, despite having included in the NLCP four years ago and the PAP that is moving at a snail’s pace, Mr Nair said.

The MSSRF in its framework for implementation has said that implementation and monitoring of the recommendations and programmes for mitigation of farm distress and revival of agricultural process assumed higher importance to ensure that the financial resources are effectively and efficiently utilized to deliver the programmes and infrastructure recommended for the agricultural and ecological revival, enhancement of livelihoods and mitigation of distress to the farming community.

The tasks to be taken up for strengthening ecological security are protection and ecological restoration of the water spread area; measures for salinity and flood management in Kuttanad and for pollution control; and total elimination of aquatic weeds. Other suggested measures are for augmenting biodiversity in the backwaters and improving health and sanitation.

The next segment is strengthening of livelihood security – Agriculture-based livelihoods. The tasks to be implemented under this head included declaring Kuttanad as a Special Agricultural Zone besides providing infrastructure support to paddy cultivation; enforcing a crop calendar; strengthening research and extension and economic viability of farming. Besides, there are programmes for coconut-based enterprises and integrated farming; to promote fishery wealth of Vembanadu Lake; promoting fishing infrastructure, capacity and fishermen welfare.

Another component is water tourism for which creation of infrastructure support is recommended to facilitate responsible tourism.

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