Kerala

National water policy, 2002 Read policy 

National water policy, 1987 Read policy

Forwarded to the Portal by: Nitya Jacob, UN

Dr Kurien Baby, District Collector of Trissur, Kerala, and Solution Exchange Water Community are organizing a regional meeting to discuss the effects of the Mazhapolima program. The dates are 16-17 June 2009, and it will be held in Trissur.

Background

Kerala has among the highest well densities in India, and 71% of the population depends on them for drinking water. The aggregate household investment in the state on wells is pegged at Rs 1800 crore and they have a combined yield potential of 6.6 million cu m per day. That works out to a water availability of 197 litres of water per capita per day (lpcd), well above the government's prescribed norm of 140 lpcd. These wells are threatened. Despite an annual rainfall of 3,000 mm, 70% go dry in summer. The surface runoff is heavy, and therefore groundwater levels in several blocks have fallen sharply, and coupled with saline intrusion at an accelerated pace, have led to water quality problems.

The Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act (2003) aims to consolidate and amend the laws relating to construction of irrigation works, conservation and distribution of water for the purpose of irrigation and levy of betterment contribution and water cess on lands benefited by irrigation works and to provide for involvement of farmers in water utilisation system.

Forwarded to the Portal by: Dr.Latha Bhaskar, ATREE Image and Content Courtesy: ATREE

"Kokkarni, saviour of paddy", is a case study written by Shree Padre, in Apr 2009, on the revival / restoration of traditional water bodies called Kokkarni (dug-out farm ponds) in Palakkad, Kerala, which benefits paddy cultivators whose farms are situated in rocky hills, not ideal for catchment.

The Kerala Ground Water (Control and Regulation) Act (2002) As per this Act, the Government may, if satisfied on the recommendation of the Authority, that it is necessary in the public interest to regulate the extraction of use of groundwater of any area, declare by notification, such area as notified.

This paper published by the International Environmental Law Research Centre briefly describes the geography and the socio-economic background of Plachimada, and analyses the legal and institutional framework applicable to the case,

Waternama is a collection of traditional practices for water conservation and management in Karnataka. The book is produced by Communication for Development and Learning and edited by Sandhya Iyengar.
View/download the full book (29.2 MB)

The System of Rice Intensification, (Madagascar) method was developed in Madagascar island by the farmers and NGOs under the leadership of a local priest. The concept of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) focuses on managing the soil, water, plants and nutrients in a balanced relationship, enabling maximum growth of rice plants.

The collection includes the following four case studies from India: