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Water and Environmental Policies in India
Economists estimate that the per capita income of Kerala is less than USD 300
per year, which is lower than some other more industrialized states in India.
Nevertheless, Kerala stands at the top of the pyramid in India with respect to
social development indices such as primary education, maternal mortality, infant
mortality, life expectancy and healthcare. The life expectancy of the population
in Kerala is estimated to be 73 years. These figures compare favourably with
developed countries. Because of these unique social achievements, despite suboptimal
economic growth, Kerala is tagged as ‘unusual India’ by development
analysts.
Table 2 indicates how Kerala differs from the national average in all aspects of
social development. In the 1991-2001 period, the all-India average decadal
growth rate logged at a high of 21 percent, whereas Kerala recorded 9 percent,
close to the developed world. Similarly, the sex ratio in Kerala stands clearly in
favour of women at 1.058. At 91 percent, the literacy rate of Kerala is the highest
in the country.
Table 2 Social development indices for Kerala State
Population 2001 Decadal growth (1991-2001) Sex ratio Density Literacy
All India 1,027,015,247 21.34 933 324 65.38
Kerala 31,838,619 9.42 1058 819 90.92
4.3 Status of water resources
It is generally observed that Kerala suffers fewer environmental problems, such as
groundwater depletion, than most other regions in the country (WRI 1994; CSE
1985). However, recently, environmental problems have become more apparent
and have started to affect sustainability. For example, water conservation was
the most neglected part of water resource development, but nowadays it has
gathered attraction in both administrative and academic policy frames.
4.4 Water uses
Pamba is one of the most important rivers in the South Western Hills of Kerala.
The famous shrine of Sabarimala is situated in the hills of Pamba plateau. It is one
of the most popular pilgrim centres in South India and millions of pilgrims visit the
shrine especially during the winter season, starting in mid-November and ending
in mid-January. The gathering of very large crowds over a short period of time
every year in an ecologically sensitive area has given rise to various environmental
problems.
The Pamba River originates from the Western Ghat and drains into Vembanad
Lake. A survey conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board in collaboration
with Kerala State Pollution Control Board revealed that solid waste and sewage
generated at Pamba during the festival season causes severe pollution of the
Pamba River. Lack of sanitary latrines, lack of facilities for sewage collection and
treatment and the accumulation of wastes discharged from hotels and commercial
Sabarimala base camp, December 2009
establishments located at Sabarimala are the major sources for the pollution
of Pamba River. To overcome this, the construction of a series of check dams
upstream on the two branches of the river has been taken up. The purpose is to
store sufficient water and release it during the summer months, especially during
the Sabarimala festival, and provide more sanitary and water supply facilities to
the pilgrims during the festival season (CPCB, Annual Report 2000).
Various studies have recorded considerable changes in the land use, especially
around Sabarimala shrine, during the past two decades. Considerable degradation
has also been observed around the Pamba and Kakki reservoirs. The changes
were mainly in the form of conversion and degradation of forests into forest
plantations and other non-forest activities due to human activities. Remarkable
differences were also noted in three major zones mainly based on the level of
human intervention. In the first zone, major changes are from forest-to-forest
plantations whereas in Zone II considerable amount of degradation has been
noticed. The third zone is more or less unaffected compared to other zones. It
has been recorded in the past two decades that the actual forest area has been
reduced considerably, the percentage of reduction in forest cover being around
10.5 percent. The plantation area has also increased considerably during this
period and rubber plantation shows about 51 percent increase.
Although no formal water use studies are available, a general assessment by
experts in the field indicates that, measured by volume, close to 50 percent
of water is utilized for irrigation and domestic water (including drinking) stands
approximately at 10 to 25 percent. Water use for power generation and other use
(commercial) are estimated to be about 30 to 35 percent and 10 to 15 percent
respectively. It is also estimated that water for domestic
purposes and commercial purposes records substantial
increase during the peak pilgrim season (mid-November to
mid-January).
The Pamba River, from immediately upstream of Sabarimala
to its lower reaches, is highly polluted, especially during the
festival season. This is due to the huge quantity of waste
generated by millions of pilgrims visiting the area. The
pollution is mainly due to human excreta and biodegradable
waste like used leaves, vegetable wastes, discarded clothes,
food wastes etc. Indiscriminate disposal of used plastic
bottles forms the major portion of the non-biodegradable
waste.
4.5 Domestic water use
The drinking water system in Kerala can be classified into two broad categories:
(1) schemes owned and operated by the state government and (2) familymanaged
drinking water supply, which includes individual families creating their
own drinking water resources by constructing wells on their house compounds
and managing the water supply source by themselves. The family-managed
drinking water supply system in Kerala has a substantial role in the water supply
scenario, especially in rural areas.
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