kozhikode: A major controversy may erupt between Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the likely implementation of the Pampa-Achankovil-Vaipar linking project, which is being envisaged to supply water to the drought-prone areas in southern Tamil Nadu.
The Centre for Water Resources and Distribution Management (CWRDM), that has done a hydro-environmental impact study at the proposed sites, has reported that the project could damage half of Kerala’s ecologically sensitive areas. The report said that the project would destroy Kuttanad rice farming, kill the ecologically sensitive Vembanad wetland ecosystem and also damage the biodiversity of Western Ghats.
The study conducted by Dr. P.V. Dineshan, scientist at CWRDM, has explained why Kerala should reject the project.
The project was based on a false data provided by the National Water Development Authority that there is surplus water in Pampa and Achankovil when the fact is that both rivers have water deficit. The project plans to supply 643 million cubic metres of water to Tamil Nadu from both these rivers. Two huge reservoirs, two long tunnels and kilometres-long canals have to be built in dense forest areas to ensure the supply.
A hydro-environmental impact study on the Pamba-Achankovil-Vaipar Link project by the Centre for Water Resource Development and Management has found out that the project will seriously affect the hydro-environmental status of central Travancore and destroy the Kuttanadu rice farm cultivation. It is likely to increase pollution and cause an ecological disaster for both Vembanadu wetland system and the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. If the Kerala government does not oppose implementation of this project, half of Kerala’s most ecologically sensitive, agriculturally and economically important areas would be destroyed, warn scientists.
The PAVL project envisages to divert 634 Million Cubic Metre water to Vairpar river to irrigate 91400 hectres of land in a drought prone districts of Tamil Nadu. The CWRDM study has listed out the adverse impact of the project on some of the most valued ecosystems in the country, the Vembanad wetland ecosystem and the Western Ghats. The report said that the project will seriously affect the hydro-environmental status of districts like Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Eranakulam, Alapuzha and Kottayam districts. It would also destroy rice cultivation in Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala.
The PAVL project, proposed under the Southern Peninsular River Development, was planned on the basis of a report of the National Water Development Authority. The NWDA report stated that both the Pampa and Achankovil rivers together have an annual 'surplus' water of 3127 MCM water and said 634 MCM could be diverted to Vaipar in Tamil Nadu. The CWRDM study contradicts the 'surplus' theory of NWDA and says both Pampa and Achankovil rivers experience water deficit.
“Both the Pampa and Achenkovil rivers were found dry along many stretches during the summer months resulting in an acute drought situation even on the river banks. The drinking water schemes in these rivers stop working on account of the depletion of water level during summer. The Central Water Commission studies have found that the salinity intrusion in the Pampa has already reached beyond Edayaranmula a distance of over 40kms. These rivers are already in a dying stage due to over exploitation of river sand and other unscientific human interventions. As the summer progresses the river is reduced to water pools in many places,” the report says.
The report says the calculations of NWDA are misleading and says the flood waters from Pampa and Achankovil rivers are instrumental in flushing out the pollutants and salinity from both Kuttanad and Vembanad areas. "The water demand for the pollution abatement in Pampa during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season alone is 4,745 MCM," Dr. Dineshan V.P., CWRDM scientist and member of the scientific study told this newspaper.
The report thus warns that large scale diversion of monsoon water from the upper catchment areas of Pampa and Achankovil would lead to high salinity in Kuttanad throughout the season and rice cultivation would be practically impossible. Salt water intrusion due to reduced fresh water flow to Kuttanad will result in increased soil salinity which will ruin productivity of the Kuttanad paddy growing areas, which in turn will end in desperate poverty since more than 60 percent of people of Kuttanad, depend on agriculture for their livelihood.
The PAVL project proposes three large reservoirs, two tunnels, canal systems and three power generating units, all to be constructed in thick forest areas in Kerala, destroying forest lands and the biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
"The Punnamedu reservoir in Pampa will submerge an area of 440ha, which is entirely a forest area. The submergence area under Achankovil Kalar is 1240.7 ha comprising of 871.7 ha of virgin forest and 369 ha of teak forest plantation. The Achankovil dam will submerge an area of 323 ha comprising of 86 ha of virgin forest, 218 ha of forest plantation and 19 ha cultivable land. About 297 persons will be affected due to the submergence, in Achankovil village. The rehabilitation of the affected population will create social issues," the report said.
The proposed three reservoirs alone will submerge 2004 ha of virgin forest in the Western Ghats. "The CWRDM investigation reveals that the annual utilizable yield of the ten rivers draining in to the Vembanad wetland system is about 12,582 MCM and the water demand for these ten river basins will be 22,268 MCM. That means that these rivers will face an annual deficit of 9,674 MCM," Dineshan added.
Kerala's worries about Mullaperiyar is still at large, to add to it the 150 and 160 metre high dams suggested for the PAVL project will only increase serious safety issues.
