Despite being the major feeder of the Bharathapuzha and a
perennial source of drinking water for thousands of families at
Kollengode, Nenmara, Alathur and Vadakkancherry in the district, the
Gayathripuzha is facing imminent death, says a study conducted by the
Kerala State Land Use Board.
Citing large-scale
deforestation in its origins apart from adverse changes in land-use
patterns on its banks as major reasons for the decline of the river, the
study also points the finer at illegal sand-mining in the river.
The
study report, prepared by board’s regional assistant director R.
Rugmini and agricultural officer V. Bindu, also found 13 among the 28
watershed areas of the river basin as extremely damaged and their
revitalisation quite impossible.
The report, prepared
as instructed by Palakkad district panchayat as part of its efforts to
revitalise the Bharathapuzha river basin, also suggests immediate steps
to revitalise 15 watershed areas as they can significantly contribute to
the water level in the river, which originates at the Ayyappanmudi
hills and supports paddy cultivation in several parts of Chittur taluk.
Talking to
The Hindu
, Ms. Bindu said all the tributaries of the Gayathripuzha – Mangalam,
Ayalurpuzha, Vandalipuzha, Meenkarapuzha and Chulliyar – are also facing
imminent death due to severe changes in land use pattern. “If the trend
is not arrested immediately, there would be no recovery from the dooms
it would spell in a vast area with strong agrarian economy.
Water
level in Mangalam, Pothundi, Chulliyar and Meenkara dams is also
receding as a result of the decreasing flow in the river,’’ she said.
Illegal quarries
According to her, illegal quarries in areas like Muthalamada and Kizhakkanchery are badly affecting the sustenance of the river.
In
areas like Pittakkari Kulambu, new rubber plantations turned the
villain as they prevented groundwater discharge and replenishing
process. The traditional drains which carried rainwater to the river
have been blocked at many part of the region following reclamation of
paddy fields for non-agricultural needs. Building mafias are also adding
to the grim situation.
“The Ayyappanmudi hills,
where the river originates, got hardly one per cent of the original
rainforests now. Large-scale misappropriation of forestland by rubber
estate owners was found in that area,’’ she said.
The
report stresses the requirement of more rainwater harvesting efforts in
the river basin apart from restoration of all major ponds and tanks in
the area.
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