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Government of Kerala Initiatives for Water Management


Kerala, with its abundant rainfall and network of rivers, faces a dual challenge of water scarcity and excess—seasonal droughts and monsoon floods. The state government has implemented various policies and programs to address these challenges through sustainable water conservation, management, and distribution practices.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the major water management initiatives in Kerala.

1. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Kerala Implementation

Objective:

  • To provide functional household tap connections (FHTC) to all rural households by 2024.
  • Focuses on source sustainability and community-led water resource management.

Key Features:

  • Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance: Ensures supply of safe drinking water through real-time monitoring.
  • Decentralized Approach: Implementation through gram panchayats and local self-governments (LSGs).
  • Recharge & Conservation Measures: Rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and watershed development integrated with drinking water projects.

Current Progress:

  • Kerala is among the leading states in India in JJM implementation with a high percentage of rural households connected to piped water.

2. Jalanidhi – Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KRWSA)

Objective:

  • Ensuring safe and sustainable drinking water for rural areas through community participation.
  • Supports small-scale decentralized water supply schemes instead of large-scale infrastructure.

Key Features:

  • Community-Owned & Managed Water Supply Schemes: Encourages households to contribute financially and take ownership of maintenance.
  • Integration with Sanitation Measures: Promotes toilet construction and waste management to prevent contamination of water sources.
  • Rainwater Harvesting & Well Recharging: Encourages rural households to use rainwater for drinking and irrigation.

Impact:

  • Implemented in multiple phases, improving water security for rural Kerala.

3. Haritha Keralam Mission – Water Conservation & Rejuvenation

Objective:

  • Focuses on rejuvenation of water bodies, afforestation, and waste management.
  • Works under the "Navakeralam" (New Kerala) mission integrating various departments.

Key Features:

  • Revival of Traditional Water Bodies: Cleaning and restoration of ponds, tanks, lakes, and village wells.
  • Watershed Development: Encourages rainwater harvesting, check dams, and afforestation in highland and midland regions.
  • Wastewater Treatment: Decentralized sewage treatment plants (STPs) are being promoted in urban areas.

Successes:

  • Revived hundreds of traditional ponds, temple tanks, and lakes across Kerala.

4. Operation Anantha – Urban Flood Control in Thiruvananthapuram

Objective:

  • Launched after the 2015 urban floods in Thiruvananthapuram to prevent waterlogging and improve urban drainage.

Key Features:

  • Widening and Restoration of Canals & Drains to ensure free flow of rainwater.
  • Smart Flood Monitoring System using IoT sensors to predict heavy rainfall events.
  • Sewage and Drainage System Upgrades to prevent contamination of stormwater drains.

Impact:

  • Reduced waterlogging and urban flooding in the state capital.

5. Kuttanad Flood Mitigation and Water Management

Objective:

  • To manage floods and salinity intrusion in Kerala's low-lying Kuttanad region, which is below sea level.

Key Features:

  • Construction of Bunds and Sluices: Regulates water flow between backwaters and agricultural fields.
  • Desilting and Dredging of Canals & Lakes to improve drainage efficiency.
  • Sustainable Paddy Cultivation: Encourages alternate wetting and drying (AWD) methods to reduce excessive water usage.

Challenges:

  • Climate change has increased the frequency of floods, requiring more adaptive management strategies.

6. Mazhapolima – Well Recharge Program

Objective:

  • A rainwater harvesting initiative started in Thrissur and later expanded across Kerala.

Key Features:

  • Encourages households to recharge their wells using rooftop rainwater.
  • Provides financial assistance and technical support for well-recharge structures.
  • Aims to combat groundwater depletion in drought-prone areas.

Impact:

  • Improved groundwater levels in over 50,000 households.

7. Kerala State Groundwater Department Initiatives

Objective:

  • To monitor, regulate, and enhance groundwater availability in the state.

Key Features:

  • Real-Time Groundwater Monitoring Stations: Tracks changes in water levels and quality.
  • Artificial Recharge Projects: Encourages check dams, percolation tanks, and borewell recharge pits.
  • Regulation of Groundwater Extraction: Introduced permits and usage monitoring for industries and large-scale users.

8. Bhoomitrasena and Watershed Development Programs

Objective:

  • To promote youth and community participation in environmental and water conservation activities.

Key Features:

  • Bhoomitrasena Clubs (Student Environmental Groups): Conduct awareness campaigns on water conservation and climate change.
  • Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP): Supports soil conservation, micro-irrigation, and agroforestry in hilly terrains.

9. River Rejuvenation Programs

Objective:

  • To restore dying rivers like Bharathapuzha, Pamba, Chaliyar, and Achankovil.

Key Features:

  • Desilting and Pollution Control Measures.
  • Afforestation Along Riverbanks.
  • Community-Led Waste Management & Cleanup Drives.

Impact:

  • Significant improvement in river water quality and biodiversity restoration.

10. Kerala Coastal Zone Management – Protecting Coastal Water Resources

Objective:

  • To protect coastal water bodies, prevent sea erosion, and conserve wetlands.

Key Features:

  • Mangrove Restoration & Coastal Afforestation.
  • Sand Dune Stabilization & Artificial Reefs to prevent saltwater intrusion.
  • Sustainable Fisheries & Marine Conservation Initiatives.

Impact:

  • Reduced coastal erosion and improved groundwater recharge in coastal areas.

11. Smart Water Management – IoT & GIS-Based Monitoring

Objective:

  • To improve urban water supply, leak detection, and efficient water distribution.

Key Features:

  • Smart Water Meters & Leak Detection Systems to prevent water wastage.
  • GIS-Based Water Resource Mapping for efficient planning.
  • AI-Based Weather Prediction Models for flood and drought forecasting.

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