Kerala’s framework for river basin conservation envisions long-term and annual action plans

Long-term and annual action plans will be developed for each river basin in Kerala under the Operational Framework for Integrated River Basin Conservation and Management cleared by the State government in June.

While the long-term plan will serve as the “cornerstone” of sustainable river basin management, the annual action plans will break down the broader objectives into specific tasks, prioritising the objectives for each year, according to the framework drafted by the Water Resources department.

The framework document defines a ‘basin’ as “the entire catchment of a waterbody or watercourse, including the soil, water, vegetation, and other natural resources in the area.”

The emphasis of the long-term plan will be on preserving the natural flow and health of river systems and guaranteeing the continued availability of water resources for future generations. Primary long-term objectives include the conservation of river flow and ecosystems, alignment with river conservation principles, floodplain management and ‘room for river’ concept and flood control. They also cover climate change adaptation, integration with irrigation and other water management arrangements, sustainable use of water resources and water quality and pollution control.

“Proactive climate adaptation measures will be included to address anticipated shifts in temperature, rainfall patterns, and extreme events, ensuring that river basins remain resilient to environmental change,” the framework document notes.

The annual action plans, on the other hand, will have specific tasks and responsibilities set out for government departments. These will cover, among other things, pollution management and building resilience to flood and drought conditions.

Monitoring mechanisms

Government departments will be required to incorporate the action plans into their day-to-day operations. They will also have monitoring mechanisms to make sure that departments meet their annual goals and to enable adaptive management.

The framework, cleared by the Kerala Cabinet on June 25, has an apex committee headed by the Chief Minister and a steering committee headed by the Chief Secretary. The technical panel is chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Water Resources). Individual river basin committees are headed by the Collector of the district that has the largest area under a river basin. Collectors of other districts falling within the basin will co-chair the panels.

Among the 44 rivers of Kerala, the basins of the Periyar, Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, Manimala, Pamba and Chaliyar rivers cover four districts each. Kabani, Mahe, Kadalundi, Bharathapuzha, Kanjiramukku, Chalakkudi, Achankovil, Pallikkal, Kallada basins cover three districts each.

According to the framework document, individual river basin authorities will each have budget lines within the State Budget. They will also be encouraged to seek supplementary funding from local bodies, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and through grants and development funding.

Kerala had stepped up measures for integrated river basin management following the destructive floods of 2018 and 2019.

“Effective water resource management is a challenge, particularly in a region such as Kerala where river systems are under increasing pressure. In Kerala, the combination of intense rainfall in the high ranges with a drastic elevation difference over a short distance causing peak runoffs, combined with flat terrain towards the western coast presents the conditions for flooding such as the one the State witnessed in August of 2018,” a government order accompanying the framework document observed.