Kerala   

Need for a multi-pronged approach to conserve rainwater

The monsoon has arrived, but concerns remain about harvesting and managing the abundance in order that in the lean months Kerala would be spared the shortages of water that it has periodically faced. Our readers respond:

CONSERVING RESOURCES: Rainwater being harvested at a house.

Frame water conservation policy

Going by the statistics, we have abundant annual rainfall and water resources. Yet, shortage of water is a continual problem. Practising effective rain harvesting methods is the only solution.

The depletion in forest cover is a matter of concern. Uncontrolled sand-mining has wreaked havoc. The result is that the water retaining capacity of the rivers has come down. Not much percolation takes place. Naturally, as the monsoon recedes, even places on the banks of the rivers face water scarcity.

Destruction of wetlands and mangroves also contributes to the problem. Buildings are built by filling wetlands, with profit being the driving force.

Of the rainfall we get, we are able to save only 20 per cent. This means, the remaining 80 per cent is lost. If we are to be spared the problem of water shortage in the summer months, we should take up scientific solutions to conserve it. A water conservation policy and programme should be evolved. All science and technology institutions in the State should be directed and motivated to guide and support the people in their efforts.

The political leadership should evince keen interest in the process. The local bodies should be guided to evolve a scientific policy for spatial planning and watershed management.

A. Raghavan
Thalassery

Effective planning

is the key

Kerala's geography is a mixed blessing to its water potential.

Rain, the primary source, falls on a narrow landmass sandwiched between the mountains, which help cause abundant precipitation, and the sea, into which the water gets rapidly discharged and lost.

This abundance and dynamism make a macro-view of the matter inevitable.

The key to ensuring perennial water availability is to manipulate the flow in the waterways by an efficiently conceived system of regulation (check dams, sluices) and diversion (pipelines, open channels) to store and spread/distribute water as desired.

This approach improves the potential of watersheds and catchments in isolation, by trying to connect them as much as feasible by diversionary devices to create a State-wide, integrated drainage system. Where such networking is unviable (sections along the coast), establish desalination plants on a scale not degrading the environment.

When necessary, seawater, as a standby source, can reduce the pressure on the primary source to deliver.

If households resolve to harvest rainwater and to minimise consumption waste, the situation is better secured.

Devraj Sambasivan
Alappuzha

Conserve water resources

The rapid development of cities and population explosion in urban areas has led to depletion of surface sources. Whatever sources available now are at a distance, forcing the corporation to spend more money and time on exploiting them.

Allowing rainwater to drain away results in over exploitation of surface sources like wells. It causes a drop in water levels or sea water intrusion because of the imbalance of inflow and outflow equation for sub-surface water.

Conservation and augmentation of the renewable natural groundwater resources is necessary for our survival, for these are not unlimited if exploited beyond a limit.

The methods of rainwater harvesting that can be adopted are recharge through pits, trenches, borewell shafts by directly diverting run-off water into existing or disused wells or conserving the rainwater by artificial storing and using the same for human use. Local hydrological and soil conditions and ultimate use of water govern the choice and effectiveness of any particular method. The Government should sternly implement the law of rainwater harvesting in new constructions.

S. Padmanabha Mallya
Kochi

Adopt various strategies

Though scientific conservation of water has been included in the Government agenda, it is yet to be implemented effectively. Preservation of water should be given topmost priority.

Water received during the monsoon should be preserved through different methods, including arresting its free flow in rivers, construction of as many tanks, wells and pits as possible, and protecting it in natural reservoirs such as lakes, lagoons, backwaters and canals.

This will boost storage of both surface and groundwater so that it can be used in the lean months. The water-harvesting scheme in artificial reservoirs should be accelerated scientifically. Constructions of check dams and afforestation in catchment areasare also useful for conservation of water. Efforts should be made to increase groundwater levels. Unscientific reclamation of lowlands and inland water bodies for construction purposes should be forbidden. At the same time, waste treatment plants must be set up in different parts of the State so as to keep the available water sources free from pollution and contamination. Maximum utilisation of available water without any wastage should be ensured.

V. Viswanathan Nambiar
Thrissur

Individual effort important

All the water resources and the almost-unfailing annual quota of rain notwithstanding, our State faces shortage of drinking water whenever the mercury goes up. Calling upon the Government for a solution is the common plank both the public and the Opposition have been using for years.

However, the real initiative to ensure water throughout the year should come from individuals. We should support any initiative that the Government takes.

We should minimise wastage of water and learn proper water management techniques. We should employ novel means to tap the natural rainwater so that we can keep our soil water-rich throughout the year.

Encroachment on rivers and waterbeds should be banned. Mining, filling, annexing, dumping and polluting of the waterbeds and water-friendly areas need to be stopped. The monsoon rain should be harvested effectively so that the water level of the soil is raised or made stable. In this respect, we should follow the example of Tamil Nadu where one cannot raise a building unless one makes arrangements to tap the water that is colleted on the roof of the building. The monsoon is a blessing and we must exploit it to its maximum.

Jayaprakash A.P
Kottayam

Recharge water resources

Buildings and roads block much of the chances of rainwater penetration. So the soil in the remaining area should be recharged effectively.

We should be careful about handling each drop of water. At the same time, concerted efforts should be made to recharge our water resources.

Rainwater harvesting and water storage should be promoted. Rainwater storage facilities should be made mandatory for newly constructing buildings.

Rainwater run-off should be checked and it should be allowed to penetrate the soil. For this purpose, construction of contour bunds, check dams and rainwater pits, and afforestation should be taken up.

Baburaj T.S
By email

Check wastage

of water

The monsoon is the best time to initiate water conservation programmes as we receive the maximum rainfall then. Special cells should be opened in every block, panchayat and corporations to adopt rainwater harvesting methods. Long-term measures include cleaning of wells and ponds. Residents' associations can organise seminars, rallies and street shows to instil the message of rainwater harvesting in the public. The media too has a significant role to play.

Misuse and reckless wastage of water should be checked and should invite penalty.

K. Krishna
Ernakulam

Formulate schemes for conservation

Why does Kerala, confronted with water shortage, not chalk out schemes that can conserve water received during the monsoon.

Ponds and canals that once were common have nearly disappeared today because of the so-called development activities. Half-a-century ago, every plot had a minimum of one pond, on which the entire family depended. These ponds were enough to meet their water requirements.

It is high time that the Government constructed check-dams throughout the State with the active participation of the local bodies. Individuals as well as villages should be encouraged to revive water sources. Heavy rain during the monsoon can be utilised by imaginative but pragmatic steps.

V.P. Ramesan
Thripunithura

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Panel mooted to streamline Ayyappa temple rituals
Stir against fish import, foreign trawlers
Need for a multi-pronged approach to conserve rainwater
Next issue
Today at Sabarimala
Briefly

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu