Pampa River Poised for National Conservation Plan Push

Kerala's major river and one of its sacred rivers, the Pampa River would be provided with greater protection under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has asked the Kerala state government for a Detailed Project Report (DPR) in order to consider a holistic, centrally-supported conservation plan.

Why the Pampa River Matters

Popularly known by the name ‘Dakshina Bhageerathi’ (Ganga of the South), the 176-kms.-long Pampa River remains a river of high religious and environmental significance. It passes through Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Alappuzha districts, supporting 30 panchayat and the Chengannur municipality. On its banks are the famous Sabarimalatemple and religious congregation such as the Maramon Convention.Pilgrims from all over India come to bathe in the waters and the country boat service is well established.

Pressuring Environmental Challenges

The river faces severe threats:

• High pollution due to waste dumping by local bodies.
• Riverbank erosion and destruction especially during monsoons, as retaining walls do not exist.
• Degradation that both scars its ecology and the religious activities that it supports.

The NRCP Conservation Framework

Being listed in the NRCP is an important move which will open up the:

• Multi-crore central funding for mega conservation projects.
• Prioritizing investments in basic sanitation, such as sewage treatment plants , to eliminate pollution and waste, as well as in waste removal, retention walls and other measures to avoid erosion.
• Technical expertise and support for states and localities.

This is more significant as a similar plan to set up a state-level Pampa River Basin Authority to oversee the river basin was put on the back burner, thereby, requiring support from the Centre.

Next Steps and Coordination

The implementation of this project will ‘depend to a great extent on the capacity’ of the state government in Kerala to prepare and submit a detailed project report. Efficient conservation would entail synergy between state departments and the local self government institutions in checks on pollution, waste management and for the stabilization of the riverbanks over the long term.