As per a study conducted by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) in 1998, the total annual utilisable yield of the 10 rivers draining into the Vembanad wetland system was 12,582 mcm against the 22,268 mcm water demand in these river basins for domestic use, irrigation, industrial purposes, says Pampa Parirakshana Samithi general secretary N.K. Sukumaran Nair.
The CWRDM study also states that the Pampa and the Achencoil will have a deficit of 337 mcm and 459 mcm, respectively, by 2051. Moreover, it requires not less than 4,745 mcm of water for flushing out pollutants from the Vembanad wetlands into the sea every year, the report says.
Twin Kallar projectADVERTISEMENT
Mullaperiyar Special Cell chairman Parameswaran Nair says Kerala committed a big mistake by not pursuing the Twin Kallar multi-purpose project planned by the Kerala State Electricity Board in 1975. The implementation of the project would have provided the State with additional power and water for irrigation and salinity extrusion. “It would have ensured enough water for paddy cultivation in Kuttanad. But we became very concerned about the environmental impact of submergence of about 900 ha of forestland in the Ranni forest division,” he says.
Implementation of the PAVLP will lead to submergence of nearly 2,004 ha of forestland, including 297 ha with human settlements.
Mr. Parameswaran Nair says the National Water Policy advocates interlinking of rivers and inter-basin diversion in national interest. The policy document also makes it clear that any such diversion and interlinking should be made only after ensuring the full satisfaction of the water needs of the respective river basin area, he says.
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The PPS general secretary says salinity intrusion into the Pampa has reached up to Aranmula, and any diversion of water from these two rivers would adversely affect paddy cultivation in Kuttanad owing to salinity intrusion and deficiency of water.
Mr. Parameswaran Nair fears the Vembanad-Kol wetlands spread over 1,51,250 ha will cease to exist if the PAVLP becomes a reality.