The Hindu Business Line : Kerala to have master plan for optimal use of water resources

The Kerala Government will prepare a master plan for optimal utilisation of water resources in the State to face the challenges of population growth and changes in water use pattern.

The draft water policy, put out by the Government, also envisages the formation of a Water Resources Development Board to coordinate the activities of all user departments and organisations and to negotiate with international and other agencies that are interested in supporting the water sector of the State, among other things.

Under the master plan, if any of the rivers are having surplus water, the possibility of utilising it within the State by inter-basin transfer will be examined. Any transfer of water outside the State will be considered after meeting all the requirements of the State and its people.

However, a clause on "potential decommissioning" will form part of the inter-basin and inter-State water transfer agreements in future, says the draft policy.

As for new projects, public/private agencies will be approached for funding depending on the type of the project. Also, the projects will have to be conceived in such a manner that they are attractive to the funding agencies but without compromising on the objectives set for the projects.

A performance evaluation of all the existing projects will be carried out by an independent agency. These projects will also be subjected to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). And based on the performance evaluation and EIA, necessary steps will be taken to improve the performance of these projects as also to reduce their adverse impact, if any, on the environment.

An organisational set-up consisting of experts in relevant fields will be put in place for ensuring the safety of water-related structures, including dams. The Government will enact the necessary legislation for this purpose. Besides, continuous monitoring of the structures will be made mandatory.

Performance evaluation

A performance evaluation of all inter-State water transfer schemes will be carried out by the State and necessary action taken to protect the interests of the State. The downstream requirements will be given due weightage with regard to the existing projects transferring water from the upstream reaches of the basins.

In order to encourage industrial development, necessary projects to meet the water requirements of the industries will be planned. However, the Government will insist on recycling of water with the help of effective treatment measures.

The draft policy also lays stress on the need for providing irrigation to plantation crops to raise yield. It is estimated that there is potential for making water available to 10 lakh hectares through small projects.

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