Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samithi (CPSS) is the partner organisation of the Forum in Kerala and a coordinator of the Kerala State Resource Centre (KSRC) of the Forum. The work of the Centre is focused on ‘Towards Resolving Upstream Downstream Conflicts in Chalakudy River Basin, Kerala’. The updates on the activities of the Centre are given below.
 
National Workshop on Reservoir Operations Model (ROM) and Improved Water Management

The Reservoir Operations Model was presented at a National Workshop held on 21June 2011 at Vyapara Bhavan, Chalakkudy, to seek expert comments, inputs for refinement before a selected audience. Experts from across the country and the State, members of Kerala State Legislative Assembly, Member of Parliament, local self government representatives, and officials from all the concerned departments were invited. Read more

 Submission of documents related to the rationale for request to recommend revoking of the Environmental Clearance granted to the proposed Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project across Chalakudy river, Thrissur, Kerala

River Research Centre has placed a letter before the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel led by Prof. Madhav Gadgil when the Panel carried out the site visit on the 29th January on direction from Minister Jairam Ramesh in July 2010. 
Please read the letter and send us your comments.
 
Reservoir operations Model: Proposed flow regime
The resource centre has been able to develop an interim reservoir operations model mainly on the basis of analysis of water availability. There is also a need to assess the rainfall correlation as well. The interim model takes into account the existing projects in the river, present water discharge (Kerala Sholayar, Poringalkuthu HEP, the present scenario in non-monsoon months, CRDS head works – Thumboormuzhi, and so on), the suggested discharge pattern for Kerala Sholayar and suggested discharge for Poringalkuthu.
 
Click here for the Report of the Discussion Workshop on Reservoir Operations Management Organised by Kerala State Centre on 6 July, 2010 at Chalakudy.
 
Farmer research
Ten farmers have been selected for on-field farmer research from four GPs and Chalakudy municipality. The farmers were suggested by agriculture officers based on which the team visited their plots and enquired about their willingness to participate in the study. Care has been taken to include different stretches of the canal system on both banks, different types of farming activities, different land holding sizes and different irrigation methods. A detailed interview schedule also has been finalized for gathering information on their irrigation and water management pattern, cropping patterns, crop management etc. The documentation of their daily farming operations has also started. Recording of farm operations including water management of the selected ten farmers is progressing. Two more farmers have been identified in Mattathur and Parakkadavu Grama Panchayaths.
 
Kabini Study
The Kabini catchment study is in progress at a slower pace since there is just one person to gather information from various sources in a huge area. However the field research assistant was able to gather considerable data and documents from the Forest Department, the Irrigation Department and from the Grama Panchayaths. Five Grama Panchayaths in the Kabini catchment namely Edavaka, Thavinjaal, Pulppally, Sulthans Battery, Mananthawady were visited and development reports have been collected. It has been decided to assess the water use from the river stretch of each Grama Panchayath in the basin over the next six months. The team is planning to acquire reports pertaining to the Kabini basin from various research institutions like CWRDM, KFRI, Mysore and Bangalore University etc. Collection and compilation of basic details on the present water utilization in Kabani Catchment in Wayanad district is in progress. A field visit was carried out by the Forum team to the proposed and existing projects in Kabani basin during 2- 4 September 2009. The visit to Karapuzha Irrigation Project site proved to be very interesting and enriching.
 
Seminar
A half day seminar was organized at Sacred Heart Collage, Chalakudy on 25 June 2009 on the Potentials and Challenges for Integrated River and River Basin Revival and Management. Thrissur MP Sri. P.C.Chacko inaugurated the seminar. Sri. K. P. Dhanapalan, Chalakudy MP gave the key note address. Presidents of Chalakudy and Mala block Panchayaths spoke in the inaugural session. Dr. A. Latha and S. P. Ravi made presentations during the seminar. Politicians, NGO representatives and students from various schools and colleges participated in the discussions.
 
Stakeholder meetings
The new year celebrations for the study team was in the form of first GP level meeting of canal beneficiary farmers, the GP representatives, the agriculture officer and the concerned assistant engineer from irrigation department at Aloor GP along the right bank canal system. The meeting was held on 1 January at the agriculture office. GP members including its standing committee chairman and farmers participated along with the AO and concerned AE. From CPSS, seven members attended. Discussions were held on various aspects regarding the operations of CRDS. There were lots of complaints about lack of water availability. At the same time people reported wastage of water at some places. Technical issues of the canal system were pointed out. Lack of proper maintenance, non- functioning of spouts, issues regarding the turn system etc was also discussed. The issue regarding the changed operation pattern of Poringalkuthu HEP and its impact on canal irrigation was also discussed. The Assistant Engineer of Irrigation department responded to the issues raised by the GP members and farmers.
A committee under the chairmanship of the GP president, with the concerned official of irrigation department as convener was formed. GP members, agricultural officer and farmer representatives from each branch canal are members of the committee. It was decided that the committee will evaluate the functioning of the canal system within the GP area immediately. Special focus will be given to identify the areas of water scarcity, areas of water misuse / wastage, technical aspects of canal system including need for maintenance and the issue of dumping of waste to the canals. Meetings were also held at Koratty, Mookkannur, Kodakara and Mattathur grama Panchayaths. The discussions were along similar lines as at Aloor. Committees were formed at all GPs.
 
Activities of GP level monitoring committees
The GP level stakeholder meetings had resulted in formation of the GP level monitoring committees, “Panchayath Thala Jala Vibhava Paripalana Samithi” (GP level water resource management committee). The committee constituting the GP president and other members, concerned AE of irrigation department, the Agriculture officer and representatives of farmers from all areas. Their immediate role is to assess the canals for its system and functional efficiency. The monitoring started at two GPs, i.e. Mattathur and Aloor GPs. At Mattathur, farmers and GP officials participated in the meeting.
 
To read more about Kerala Centre’s activities in the year 2008-2009 click here.