National River Festival to focus on water literacy

THRISSUR: The national river festival being organised by  the Nila Vichara Vedi in June will focus on  water literacy and the  need to protect the watershed sites of all the 44 rivers in Kerala. The  organisers  told DC that they had met Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave and  River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharti in Delhi and requested them to focus more on water conservation during monsoon. The fest will be held on the banks of Bharathapuzha at Cheruthuruthy from June 2 to 5.

“It is a biannual event and we  changed the timings from May to June as we want to focus on water harvesting at the micro-level and water conservation when there is rain. Though the state is reeling under the worst summer in its history, there is no organized campaign at the government level about water conservation,”  Mr Vipin Koodiyedath, one of the  organisers told DC.

Noted environmentalists Madhav Gadgil, Vandana Shiva, National Bio-diversity Authority chairperson B. Meenakumari,  scientists, cultural leaders and activists from across the country  are expected to take part in the fest. “There will be discussions  on the three rivers of Bharathapuzha, Chalakkudi and Periyar.  The activists protesting against Athirappally hydel projects and those at Plachimada will also attend  the fest,” organisers V. Murali and Prabha Sankar said.