Adopt a River

It is of utmost importance to conserve watershed areas, especially riverine wetlands like paddy fields and swamps, for the sustainable protection of rivers. During the last few decades paddy cultivation has been diminishing in all river deltas of Kerala. According to state planning board data, 30% of paddy cultivation has decreased during the period 2005-2020. Out of this, 5% of the area has land filled and 5% going for encroachments. Major junk of erstwhile rice farms remains as fallow lands.

The lack of labourers and the increase in the cost of cultivation and wages of labourers stand as the major reason for decreasing paddy cultivation. Moreover, unexpected rains and flash floods due to climate change causes severe losses, almost every year in recent times.

Rejuvenation of paddy cultivation in fallow lands is the sustainable solution for river conservation as well as food security and livelihood support of the riverine community. TIES supporting farming community through paddy development societies for fallow land cultivation, of Meenachil River in Kottayam district, Kerala. In association with Meenachil Peoples Fraternity, during the last three years, about 3000 ha of fallow lands were restored to paddy cultivation. The major challenge is to make fallow land farming as s sustainable activity. TIES research team is working for developing sustainable solutions too. 

Rivers are the life of an ecosystem. It provides water for agriculture, and household uses, supports aquatic life and is a part of the water cycle. Kerala widely known as God’s Own Country is blessed with rivers, lakes, estuaries etc. that end up in the sea. Even though, many of these water sources are in a dying phase due to extreme pollution due to increased anthropogenic activities. Manimala River which flows through Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and a small portion through Alappuzha and Idukki, is one such river in Kerala that is in the peak of pollution. The river originates from Thattamalai hills of the Western Ghats, one of the major biogeographic zone of India. Along with anthropogenic courses, natural calamities like landslips, landslides, floods, etc. are also depleting the river quality and destroyed the riverine ecosystem. The recent flood dumped a huge amount of waste, especially plastic waste and many of the bridges were blocked with these. Vegetative cover loss, immigration, and migration of species, water quality depletion, algal bloom, eutrophication changes in natural water flow, waste dumping, sewage, etc. are the major issues facing by the Manimala River.

The recent study conducted by TIES research team at Mallappally, Keezhvaipur, Manimala, and Karimbukayam regions of Manimala River shows that the river is in its extremity of pollution. A total of 12 samples were collected from these sites and underwent laboratory analysis. For the study samples were collected both from town as well as village areas. The majority of the samples were collected from the Mallapally region, a town area. All sites are polluted by domestic usage (like bathing, washing, etc.), waste dumping by nearby houses, wastewater from drainage, plastic waste, and at one site (Karimbukayam), a rubber-based factory is present, which is polluting a pond situated nearby. Laboratory analysis shows that the organic carbon and oil content levels in all four sites are above the permissible limits. Bacteriological analysis showed the presence of E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., Salmonella sp., and Vibrio sp., in the study sites along with high levels of coliform bacteria (MPN Count). BOD levels are also high, except at Manimala. This shows that the river is highly contaminated. The Panchayat officials were informed about this situation of the River and also we are planning to organize a massive awareness campaign for the river bank community, shopkeepers, etc. to combat these pollution hikes. Community participation along with Government officials can only make this restoration sustainable.

• Laboratory Analysis of samples (PDF)