Kerala’s Water Management Revolution
The state of Kerala is on the cusp of a major transformation in its approach to water management, with the government unveiling plans for a series of special missions and a commission dedicated to protecting its water resources and wetlands.
Multiple Missions on the Anvil
Under the umbrella of its Vision 2031 roadmap, the government has proposed the establishment of a Kerala River Basin and Water Systems Mission, a Wetland Mission, and a Water Commission, all of which will involve the coordination of multiple departments and stakeholders.
The Kerala River Basin and Water Systems Mission will be responsible for promoting integrated water management, bringing together government departments, scientific institutions, and community-led organizations to achieve this goal. The mission will be overseen by the Water Resources department, with support from the Local Self-Governments department, Programme Implementation, Evaluation and Monitoring department, and Environment department.
Protecting Wetlands and Preventing Pollution
A Kerala Wetland Mission is also in the works, with the Environment department taking the lead in protecting the state’s wetlands and preventing flooding. A key component of this mission is the ‘zero discharge’ programme, which aims to prevent the discharge of wastewater and industrial waste into rivers, with the involvement of the Water Resources, Revenue and Disaster Management, and Local Self-Governments departments.
In addition to these missions, the government is planning to establish a Water Commission, which will focus on reviving and maintaining the state’s waterbodies. The UDF government’s Vision 2031 roadmap, announced earlier this year, includes a total of 1,291 proposals, including the flagship ‘Indira Guarantees’ and ‘Dream Projects’.
- The Kerala River Basin and Water Systems Mission will promote integrated water management
- The Wetland Mission will protect the state’s wetlands and prevent flooding
- The Water Commission will focus on reviving and maintaining the state’s waterbodies
These initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting Kerala’s water resources and promoting sustainable development in the state.
Source: Original Article
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