Kurien for Varattar rejuvenation

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman writes to Pinarayi, extending support for conservation

A view of the Varattar with vegetation thriving on the river-bed from Othera, bordering Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts.– PHOTO: LEJU KAMAL

The brainstorming sessions held by environmentalists, bureaucrats, politicians and State Water Resources Ministers over the rejuvenation of the river Varattar has become more or less a routine thing during the past one decade.

But Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P.J. Kurien has struck a different note, and that too with a strong resolve, to strive for the rejuvenation of Varattar, meaning ‘river that has dried up.’

Consciously keeping himself away from the cameras, Prof. Kurien recently visited the Varattar that meanders through the plains of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. “Perhaps, this river might be the worst-affected water source in the unscientific construction activities on the riverbed and illegal encroachment spree the State witnessed over the past few decades,’’ says Prof Kurien.

Talking to

The Hindu , Prof. Kurien said rejuvenation of Varattar should be given priority, and both the Centre and the State should join hands for this.

Writes to Pinarayi

In a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on July 14, Prof. Kurien portrayed wthe plight of Varattar. The once-prolific river has now become almost dry, leaving heavily weeded stagnant patches of water and lean streams on its bed.

The 14-kilometre-long Varattar is a natural flood escape route between the rivers Pampa and Manimala.

The Legislative Committee on Environment had inspected Varattar in 2002 and verified the wanton encroachments on the riverbed. A major portion of the riverbed has been encroached upon by private parties and some of them have even managed to obtain ‘possession certificates’ for the encroached portion under their illegal occupation.

A report submitted to the government on June 26, 2002, the Assembly panel also stated that rejuvenation of Varattar would be a boon to the water-starved river basin. Prof. Kurien said the narrow causeway constructed across the Varattar at Vanchippottil-kadavu and the ramp linking Othera and Mangalam villages on either bank ultimately tolled the death knell of the river. The unscientific construction has led to heavy accumulation of silt, raising the rivebed far above that of the Pampa and literally stopping the river flow.

Prof. Kurien called upon the Chief Minister to take effective steps for the rejuvenation of Varattar and issue directions to the Water Resources Minister in this regard.

The Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman also said he too would strive for Central assistance for the proposed rejuvenation project, he said.