KOZHIKODE: The state has wasted ten years without tapping the 30- TMC water allotted by the Cauvery tribunal from the river basins of Kabani (Wayanad), Bhavani ( Palakkad) and Pambar (Idukki), according to noted surface water scientist E.J. James, former director of the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM). Sharing his views over the extreme drought faced by the state and raising doubts on the efficacy of the water conservation, sanitisation and management systems, Mr James told DC that it was high time we came out of the lethargy. “We fought a prolonged legal battle in the Cauvery tribunal demanding a significant share of the water. As the expert witness of the state, I had to fly to New Delhi 33 times and we also spent huge sums. “At last, even after the tribunal sanctioned our demands, we failed to make use of even a drop of water for the last ten years,” he said. “We only cry for water. But we are unable to use it while Tamil Nadu and Karnataka utilised the water from Cauvery. Except for two, all other irrigation proposals we submitted were sanctioned by the tribunal,” he pointed out.
In his opinion, the state needs improved water conservation, treatment, storage and sanitisation facilities. In the USA, water conservation per person is 5,000 cubic litres (1 cubic litre is 1000 litres) whereas in China it is 1000 cubic litres. “Here we have no such conservation culture,” he said. Mr James also said that the state was utilizing only 15 percent of its water potential. “We need more reservoirs. Constructing dams may cause ecological issues. But in an era of technological advancement, we can achieve things with the lowest ecological impact,” he said. “Suppose we store 3,000 million cubic litres for irrigation, only 40 percent has been used effectively. So we waste 60 percent of the water we harnessed,” he said.
“On the drinking water supply network also we have been wasting a lot of money. We have three million (30 lakh) households without drinking water and we have 66 lakh open wells. Why not the government help the citizens to improve the wells and share the water? It is only Kerala that is not helping the citizens to improve their water systems by conserving the open wells, improving water quality through sanitisation and better water management,” he said. “Sanitisation is not mere dumping of bleaching power into the water sources,” he said and added that the local administrative bodies should ensure that the sewage water is treated and the water sources are bacteria-free.
Mr James is of the opinion that the high ranges and coastal regions are facing acute water shortage. “In high ranges, you can tap the springs on hills using simple methods like check dams for better utilization. Wayanad, Attappady and Idukki are to be focussed. In coastal regions, we have the successful water conservation techniques with which drinking water can be ensured,” he said. The government should not allow the citizens to use water lavishly. “Each drop of water is precious. We should learn to conserve water and not to waste it,” he said.
