The initiative of the Kerala Institute Local Administration (KILA) for the protection of the Kuppam river in the district is meant as a model project which, if it yields the desired result, can be emulated for saving rivers in the State from contamination and encroachment with the involvement of local communities.
The first phase of the Kuppam river protection project was launched by KILA 10 months ago. The river that passes through Udayagiri, Alakkode, Chapparappadavu, Pariyaram, Pattuvam, Ezhome and Madayi panchayats and the Taliparamba municipality in the district is facing threat from contamination and encroachment. Degradation of the river is noticeable in several locations. River banks in many parts are treated as dumps.
“The key part of the project is the long-term and short-term project proposals prepared by panchayats for conserving the river in their areas,” KILA Director P. Balan told The Hindu . The project document prepared after detailed discussions at the grassroots level highlighted people’s participation in the initiative, he said.
In the first phase, the focus is on Udayagiri, Alakkode, Chapparappadavu, and Pariyaram. River protection committees have been formed in each panchayat, with panchayat presidents as their presidents. KILA provided inputs to make the initiative participatory by holding orientation programmes and riverside foot marches to create public awareness. True to the spirit of decentralised planning, riverside ‘grama sabhas’ were convened and development seminars held for finalising the project document. The final document was approved at the seminar held on March 29.
“The positive public response has encouraged KILA to extend the initiative to other rivers across the State,” Dr. Balan said. He also hoped that State and Central funds would be made available for the initiative.
The river projection project co-ordinator K.V. Govindan said that the steps are also being taken to involve students in the project. For this, holiday camps of the National Service Scheme volunteers were held at the riverside. Painting camps for students were also organised. The project aimed at saving mangroves in the downstream of the river that were facing encroachment threat, he added.
