Water Sources

CHAPTER III

WATER RESOURCES

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The development and management of the water resources of a region has to

evolve together with that of land and biomass giving due weightage to the specific

socioeconomic and environmental features. As far as Kerala is concerned, the aquatic

environment of this humid tropics has given shape to its economic, social andenvironmental features.

From the point of view of water resources, Kerala is having both ablmdance

and scarcity. The average annual rainfall of the State is 3000mm. However, the spatial

and temporal distribution pattern is mainly responsible for the frequent floods and

droughts in Kerala. The average annual rainfall in the lowland of Kerala ranges from

900 mm in the south to 3500 mm in the north. In the midland, annual rainfall ranges

from 1400 mm in the south to 4000 mm in the north. In the highlands, annual rainfallvaries from 2500 mm in the south to about 6000 mm in the north. About 60% of the

annual rainfall in the State is received during the South -West monsoon (June

August), 25% during North - East monsoon (September - November) and the

remaining during the summer months (Fig. 3.1). Though it has forty four rivers, most

of these monsoon-fed, short rivers dry up during summer (Fig. 3.2). Fourty one rivers

originate from the Western Ghats, flow towards the west and join the Lakshadweep

Sea, while the other three originate from the Western Ghats within Kerala State and

join the Bay of Bengal. In this state with maximum open wells per square kilometer,

35

STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005

WATER ATLAS

77"'A'

PLA TE 7

SCALE40

eo10'00 ••KaZO I) 0 20

~.....I

12

12".\,,~ "~9b.

KARNATAKA T

TAMIL NADU

I"

ef

lsohyet 'n mm

10·

0'

LEGEND1.200

Imyel inlltMl 200mm

7!dn' 76···· ..

10"

O'

36

SOURCE: Water Atlas of Kerala. 1995

Fig. 3.1: ISOHYETAL MAP OF KERALA

WATER RESOURCES

WATER ATLAS

••• 10 0~

,MY'"'-i .~, •••

.!) •••••••••••(,!) •••••••

~ ..._.UI') ._ ••••

"j! ••••••® ~-,,-

PLA TE 3

SCALE

III 40 III 10 mlCJoI ' , , .

10'

'~ ~ ....-1f"® ''''~IIf_if!) •••••~

'In,,, ••() .•........,~....••.()~ ...."..(r.!l •••••.••••f, ,....jj) •••••••••,,,, •••e .'.....1e ~n ••J'"10"@ ••••• _e· ...."..'...8 •••.,..e w,"""""'."@! •••• -~ .._.~.I

@ _uI, 8--

'b •.••.•.•••••..8 •••.u••8"-~....-ew .•••• .., •• .,

..-Iii ••••••••••

(A .r<'"ft•••••••

.,. •...•..iJ' ••••••

LEGEND

Riven; and Sl1fiams

Basi"6OundaryRiverCOd<! Number

District HeIldqUfi'lers ••

TAMIL NADU

11

0'

O'

9·Ci

SOURCE: Water Atlas of Kerala, 1995

Fig. 3.2: DRAINAGE MAP OF KERALA

37

STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KEI\ALA 2005

several wells do not yield water during summer months. The salinity propagates not

only into the lower reaches of the rivers, but also into the grOlmdwater aquifers of the

thickly populated coastal belt. The estuaries near the industrial areas and thickly

populated towns and cities are facing pollution problems, which becomes all the more

severe by the reduction in summer flows due to various reasons.

The different phases of the hydrologic cycle of this fragile region is altered by

deforestation, water resources development, construction of roads, building and

establishment of large-scale settlements, reclamation of wetlands etc. In order to

manage the water resources of Kerala in a scientific marmer, it is essential to have

certain strategies to manage land, water and biomass in an integrated marmer.

3.2 DRIVING FORCE

3.2.1 Demand - Supply Situation in Various Sectors

Though endowed with plenty of water resources, Kerala experiences severe

scarcity of water. This is because of the fact that Kerala has one of the lowest per

capita fresh water availability in India. Compared to the national average, unit land

of Kerala receives 2.5 times more rainfall, but the same unit land has to support 3.6

times more population. This makes the per capita availability of fresh water less than

the national average. The fresh water availability in India and Kerala for the last 100

years is given in Table 3.1.

3.2.2 Drinking Water Scenario

Though the proportion of population in the state with access to protected

water supply has been increasing, still a substantial portion remains to be covered.

The National Water Policy of 1992clearly states that all existing and future reservoirs

- both irrigation and hydel- should have drinking water supply component. In addition

to Aruvikkara and Peppara reservoirs, which were built for water supply alone, only

Malampuzha and Peeclli have drinking water component. As far as urban water

supply is concerned, there are 54 schemes in operation in the state covering 60.23

38

I.

WATER RESOURCES

Table 3.1: Fresh Water Availability in India and Kerala

POPULA nONCRORES

PERCAPITA WATER AVAILABILITY, litres/day

YEAR

INDIAKERALA

INDIA

KERALARAINSURFACEGROUNDRAINSURFACEGROUND

WATER

WATER WATERWATER

1901

23.830.644484 2750836744960965563095

1911

25.200.7142404710034824471859092790

1921

26.120.7840911684335534070553792539

1931

27.880.95383286399313633421,44162085

1941

31.851.1035551561727522886338141801

1951

36.091.3529609495724292351831081467

1961

43.901.6924341407519971878624821172

1971

54.802.131950032651600149061969930

1981

68.502.5415600261212801250001672780

1991

88.002.95121432032996107621422672

2001

100.03.3610685178987794501022590

Source:Basak.P;1998

lakh populations in 2000.5tilt there are over a dozen corporation/ municipalities/

townships in the state with water supply levels below 70 lpcd. It is estimated that, in

the year 2005 the water requirement will be at 645 million litres / day and in the year

2010, it will be 697 million litres / day. At present, there exists a vast gap between

demand and supply as given in Table 3.2.

In the case of rural water supply, 1609 problem villages were partially covered

by the end of 2001, benefiting a population of 118.4 lakhs. There were 1851 rural

water supply schemes under implementation in the state and 177schemes including

extensions were completed during 2000 - 01. Still, the estimates show that 17.2% of

the villages in Kerala do not get any benefit of protected water supply and 69% is

only partially covered. In partially covered areas, 14% gets only less than 10 litres per

day 55%gets less than 20 litres per day. District wise details of problem villages covered

and population benefited as on 31. 12.2001 is given in Table 3.3.

39


Table 3.2:Gap between Demand and Supply in Drinking Water

51Nameof PopulationPopulationSupply 2000Demand as

No

Corporation/1991 Census2000LPCDper 2000Gap

Municipality

norms LPCD

(1)

(2) (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)

1

Thiruvanthapuarm 52400654400614020060

Corporation 2

Neyyatinkara 30419325007014070

3

Nedumangad 49875543757014070

4

Attingal 32634391347015080

5

Varkala 389874473720150130

6

Kollam 13985214894213515015

7

Pathanamthitla 3588241254139120..

8

Adoor 26639287709614044

9

Paravoor 37185450002010080

10

Punalur 46279750006010040

11

Thodupuzha 4065547000125120..

12

Muvattupuzha 29662332297012050

13

Kothamangalam 35535404001341406

14

Perumbavur 24667281207011545

15

Kochi Corporation 5645896549237517095

16

Thrippunithura 51078592505014090

17

Kalamassery 540006264012014020

18

North paravur 27906322717012050

19

Aluva 227752639612014020

20

Angamali 34252397321201255

21

Kotlayam 631558500012914011

22

Vaikkom 21788225006214078

23

Pala 218902245310514035

24

Thiruvalla 547806025810715043

25

Changa nassery 52445574447015080

40

WATER RESOURCES

(1)(2) (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)

26

Palakkad 12328913958312015030

27

Chittur 3204836283140140..

28

Thalassery 1035771237846713568

29

Kuthl1paramba 289083454730135105

30

Mattannur 40470483655513580

31

Vadakara 72434840238314053

32

Thrissur 74604809809011020

33

Kl1nnamkl1klam 196572199681.811028.2

34

Guruvayur 202162262266.311043.7

35

Chavakkad 37789422867.1110103

36

Kannur 6523375670135135..

37

Tirur 49450556808012545

38

Ponnani 51754582754512580

39

Kalpetta 229452711920137.5118

40

lrinjalakkuda 274893078811012515

41

Kodl1ngalloor 31159348988712538

42

Chalakkudi 45059504668012545

43

Malappuram 49692536678114059

44

Manjeri 69334748816414076

45

Perinthalmanna 390274214930140110

46

Kanjangad 571656697825.8712599.13

47

Kasaragod 50123587277812547

48

Ottappalam 45000510007215280

49

Shornur 39500437005812567

50

Kozhikod 41983145341780253173

Corporation 51

Payyannur 640117681337067

52

Thaliparamba 370874450497061

Total

377778642586354050.076952.52902.43

Source: Planning and Economic AffairsDepartment/2001

41


Table 3.3: District wise details of problem villages covered and population

SI.No District Partially CoveredPopulation

Villages

benefi ted

1

Thiruvanathapuram 1011282009

2

Kollam 100993258

3

Pathanamthitta 70587013

4

Alappuzha 83802713

5

Kottayam 95712432

6

ldukki 77442283

7

Emakulam 1191203076

8

Thrissur 2471456654

9

Palakkad 1831022225

10

Malappuram 1461360237

11

Kozhikod 99516403

12

Wayanad 68418205

13

Kannur 79470881

14

Kasargod 142581039

Total

160911848428

--

-

Source: l'l.llming and Economic Affairs Department, 2001.

3.2.3 Irrigation Sector

In Kerala, monsoon flows contribute to almost 90% of the annual yield, leaving

only about 10%during lean flow period. Only large storage can fill the gap. The storage

capacity of major / medium irrigation projects of Kerala, (Table 3.4 and 3.5) is about

1500MCM. (Fig.3.3)During the past two decades, this figure has been almost constant.

It is estimated that various completed irrigation projects in Kerala together can irrigate

a net area of 1,94,783Ha of land and the ongoing projects when completed can irrigate

a net area of 2,47,834 Ha. Net area irrigated from all sources of irrigation works out to

be 3,81,041 Ha during 2000 - 2001 (Table 3.6). But the net cultivated area in the state

during this period was 22,58,700 Ha which clearly indicates that only 16.87% of the

42

WATER RESOURCES

Table 3.4: Completed irrigation projects

51. Name of Ayacut in Ha

No

The project DistrictNetGross

1

Neyyar Thiruvananthapuram1538023470

2

Pamba Pa thanam thi tta2113548480

3

Periyar Valley Ernakulam3280078325

4

Chalakkudy Thrissur1969627258

5

Vazhani Thrissur21134226

6

Cheerakkuzhy Thrissur16191846

7

Malampuzha Palakkad2173240208

8

Peechi Thrissur1862323718

9

Mangalam Palakkad36396608

10

Walayar Palakkad38446505

11

Pothundi Palakkad546610114

12

Gayathri Palakkad546610046

13

Chittur puzha Palakkad1570029950

14

Kuttiyadi Kozhikod1457034710

15

Chimmony Mupli Thrissur1300026000

Source: Farm Cuide,2003

net cultivated area is under irrigation. Balance area of existing wetland to be irrigated

is about 2.5lakh Ha and that of garden land is about Slakh Ha.

3.2.4 HYDEL POWER GENERA nON

The production of electricity in Kerala falls far short of the actual demand. As

per the 14th National Power Survey, the estimated demand and availability of

electricity in Kerala is given in Table 3.7.

43


Table 3.5: Ongoing irrigation projects

51. Name of Expected Ayacut in I-Ia

No

The project DistrictNetGross

1

Vamanapuram Thiruvanantha puram805716436

2

Kallada Kollam6163092800

3

Thanneermukkom Alappuzha--

4

Meenachil Kottayam995014510

5

Muvattupuzha Ernakulam1773734737

6

Edamalayar Ernakulam1406043190

7

Kanjirappuzha Palakkad971321835

8

Kuriyarkutty - KarapparaPalakkad1173623470

9

Attappadi valley Palakkad43478378

10

Thri thala BCR Palakkad13033997

11

Chaliyar Malappuram73240108035

12

Chamravattom (BCR) Malappuram31069659

13

Banasurasagar Wayanad28004800

14

Karappuzha Wayanad46509300

15

Pazhzssi Kannur1152523050

16

Kakkadavu Kasaragod1398041760

Source: Farm Guide,2003

Since hydel power being the cheapest, it is best suited and affordable for a state

like Kerala. It is evident that hydel power constitutes only 34% of the available

electricity. TI1einstalled capacity as on December 1999 is given in Table 3.8.

3.3 PRESSURE

The demand for water in Kerala is mainly for domestic use, industrial use,

44

LEOEID

STATE 10UIDAII.V

IIW\.TEII. 10 Dlee

WATER RESOURCES

If.

K} RAI .A

MAJOR/MF;DIl,M IRRIGA1'lOl' PROJELTS

\NO THEIR (;OM.MA~O AREAS:;CAlL

~'O 01)' .0 ~ 10 10 tC)Ch••~.--=--~ ~ ......-J

••

I,0'

I'II.OJECTCOUI'LETED •

Figure 3.3: Major/Medium Irrigation Projects and their Command Areas

45

STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KEI\ALA 20()S

Table 3.6: Net irrigated area (source wise) 2000 - 2001 (Area in Hectares)

DISTRICT GOVERN- PRIVATE GOVERN- PRIVATEGOVERN- PRIVATEMINOROfiIERTOTAL

ME;-';T

CANALMEJ'TTA:'\KSMEJ'TWELLSLIFTSOURCESCANAL

TA~'KSWELLSIRRIGA-TION

Thiruvanantha-

1741114498881356 -2233021

I'uammKollam

3146-305 -923 -811386

I'athanamthita

862--127 -5949826914372

Alappuzha

47621211913 -2470 -2124440392

Kottayam

2123161-190 -564-1237715415

Idukki

60172051792099-73978631315630

Ernakulam

13582-11215006581642558637932360

Thrissur

1913540070183525283996230761350785681

Palakkad

488691122158545636147847121089682033

Malappuram

6537041354179-13424955967129721

Kozhikod

82290-295 -1495215443267

Wayanad

599757643 --213102717

Kannur

1730441163159331105157607321111

Kasaragod

--39118393920485-1153343935

State

10092640411993479796721150317557102842381041

Source: Farm Guide,2003

Table 3.7: Demand Availability of Electricity in Kerala

YEAR DEMAND MuWA VAILABILITY MW

1990-1991

73266798

1995 - 1996

113939274

1996-1997

128618771

1997 - 1998

1390810691

1998 - 1999

1504011000

1999 - 2000

1626412268

2000 - 200 I

1745012390

2001 - 2002

1865418816

2006 - 2007

2601120194

SOllce: Official website of KSEB

46

WATER RESOURCES

Table 3.8: Hydroelectric schemes Installed capacity (1999)

Installed CapacityGeneration

Station

InMWCapacity In MW

Pallivasal

37.5284

Sengulam

48182

Neryamangalam

45237

Panniyar

30158

Peringalkkuthu

32170

Sholayar

54233

Sabarigiri

3001338

Kuttiyadi

75268

ldikki

7802398

Edamalayar

75380

Maniyar(private)

1236

Kallada

1565

Peppara

311.5

Lower Periyar

180493

Mattuppetti

26.4

Peringalkkuthu Left bank

1638

Kakkad

50262

Malampuzha

2.55.6

Total

17576565.5

Souce: Official website of KSEB

irrigation, prevention of salt-water intrusion, generation of electricity, inland

navigation and other sectors like inland fisheries, water sports and tourism.

3.3.1 Domestic Water Demand

Protected water supply is one of the basic needs of the community. Based on

a per capita consumption of 160 lpcd and a projected population of 5.53 cores in the

year 2021, the annual domestic requirement has been estimated at 3230 Mm3

(Table 3.9).

47


Table 3.9: Basin wise demand in domestic sector in the year 2021

BASIN

Manjeswar - UppalaShiriyaMogral- ChandragiriChi ttari

Nileswar - KariangodKavvayi - Peruvamba - RamapuramKuppamValapattanamAnjarakkand yTellicherryMahe

KuttiyadiKorappuzha - Kallai - Chaliyar - KadalundiTirur

BharathapuzhaKeecheri - PuzhakkalKaruvannur

ChalakkudyPeriyarMuvattupuzhaMeenachilManirnalaPambaAchenkoilPallikkal- KalladaIthikkara

Ayroor - Vamanapuram - MamomKaramana

NeyyarKabbiniBhavaniPambar

Source: CWRDM (1995) Water Atlas of Kerala.

48

WATER DEMAND (Mm3)

13.6

14.9

32.9

14.5

36

27.1

43.9

82.4

32.5

15.2

24.9

58.8

631

28.2

33861.75

127

97.6260

227

166

85.6185

38

244.5

103.5

169.9

106.8

941

62.5

5.80

1.94

WATER RESOURCES

3.3.2 Industrial Water Demand

The projected water requirement in the year 2021 in the industrial sector has

been estimated at 4270 Mm3 (Table 3.10).

Table 3.10: Basin wise demand in the industrial sector in the year 2021

BASIN

Manjeswar - UppalaShiriyaMogral- ChandragiriChi ttari

Nileswar - KariangodKavvayi - Peruvamba - RamapuramKuppamValapattanamAnjarakkandyTellicherryMahe

KuttiyadiKorappuzha - Kallai - Chaliyar - KadalundiTirur

BharathapuzhaKeecheri - PuzhakkalKaruvannur

Chalakkud yPeriyarMuvattupuzhaMeenachilManimalaPambaAchenkoilPallikkal- KalladaIthikkara

Ayroor - Vamanapuram - MamomKaramana

NeyyarKabbiniBhavaniPambar

Source: CWRDM (1995) Willer AtlilS of Kerillil.

WATER DEMAND (Mm3)

45

45

45

454545

9045

45

45

45

450

45

450

459090

450

400

9090

400

45

400

45

45

45

45

400

45

20

45

49

STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPOln, KERALA 2005

3.3.3 Water Demand for Irrigation

The ten completed major / medium projects (6 in Bharathapuzha alone) cater

to nearly O.771akhha (net) of paddy. Another dozen of partially commissioned projects

presently irrigate about 0.791akh ha, but has a full potential of 2.13lakh ha, bringing

the total to about 2.9lakh ha. The other sources like lift, tanks, ponds, wells etc. irrigate

about 1.62lakh ha. All the major, medium and minor irrigation projects put together

will cater to nearly 4.5lakh ha.ln the private sector alone, nearly 2lakh ha are irrigated

from different sources for various crops. The projected water requirement for irrigation

by the year 2021 is about 2890 Mm3 (Table 3.11). This is based on future requirement

for paddy as well as for 50% of the future garden land crops

3.3.4 Generation of Hydel Power

A major portion of the electric power being used in Kerala is generated within

the state through hydroelectric stations. The ultimate power potential of the state

from hydroelectric schemes has been estimated at about 1560MW at 100% load factor.

The total identified hydroelectric power potential of Kerala, including that of the

completed small / medium / major projects, is around 5000MW . The live storage

capacity of the reservoirs of the hydroelectric projects owned by Kerala State Electricity

Board is 3536 Mm3. From these reservoirs, the average water utilisation per year is

about 10000 Mm3. This quantity also includes the repeated utilisation of the tailrace.

3.3.5 Inland Navigation

The natural existence of a continuous chain of lagoons and backwaters offers

excellent facilities for water transport in Kerala. The waterway, covering 560Km from

Hosdurg in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south, interlinking lakes,

backwaters and river mouths is known as West Coast Canal System. The Kollam

Kottappuram stretch of this canal system, covering a distance of 209 km has been

declared as National Waterway 3. The West Coast Canal System covers the following

reaches.

50

WATER RESOllRCES

Table 3.11: Basin wise irrigation demand in the year 2021

WATER DEMAND (Mm')

BASIN

WETLAND FOR 3 CROPS Mm'GARDEN LAND Mm'

Manjeswar - Uppala

1418

Shiriya

17116

Mogral- Chandragiri

274233

Chi ttari

6219

Nileswar - Kariangodc

171158

Kavvayi - Pcruvamba - Ramapuram

343184

Kuppam

20617

Valapattanam

24091

Anjarakkandy

6920

Tellicherry

6912

Mahe

13757

Kuttiyadi

240112

Korappuzha - Kallai - Chaliyar - Kadalundi

2882632

Tirur

20615

Bharathapuzha

4458226

Kccchcri - Puzhakka!

720102

Karuvannur

89278

Chalakkudy

103063

Periyar

1338506

Muvattupuzha

1716425

Mccnachil

857323

Manimala

37824

Pamba

1440292

Achenkoil

720169

Pallikkal- Kallada

857305

Ithikkara

343150

Ayroor - Vamanapuram - Mamom

515240

Kararnana

343123

Neyyar

41290

Kabbini

2060122

Bhavani

43937

Pambar

27424

Source: CWRDM (1995) Water Atlas of Kerala.

51

STATE OF ENVlfWNMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005

Hosdurg _ Azhikkal 54.5 km

Azhikkal - Badagara

47.5 km

Badagara - Kadalundi

72.4 km

Kadalundi - Ponnani

61.2 km

Ponnani - Ala

79.7 km

Ala - Kochi

35.4 km

Kochi - Alappuzha

70.8 km

Alappuzha - Kollam

74.8 km

Kollam - Thiruvananthapuram

62.0 km

Total length

558.3 km

The 41 west flowing rivers of Kerala in their lower reaches form an integral

part of the inland navigation of the State (Fig. 3.4). However, these rivers being

monsoon fed, the discharge dwindle down during summer and the length up to which

they are navigable from the outlet come down in non monsoon months. The rivers, in

general, being short and because of the steep fall from the Ghat to the sea, consist of a

large number of rapids and falls and therefore navigable lengths are comparatively

small. The navigable lengths of rivers in Kerala are given in Table 3.12.

3.3.6 Other Sectors

Kerala is endowed with a significant wealth of inland fishery resources. The

major inland water resources of the state having much fishery importance are the 44

rivers (85000 Ha), 53 reservoirs (42890 Ha) and 53 backwaters and other brackish

water bodies (65213Ha). The current level of inland fish production is to the quantum

of about 75036 tonnes/year. Area of various inland water resources contributing rich

fishery wealth is given in Table 3.13.

52

WATER RESOURCES

" t

- )..•.,,

KER ,\1 -\

IMAM) i'lA\IGATIO/'IoSCALI;

KAANATAKA

)OK_

a

J

\

- \ - )v ,,

-, ,...... -. TAMIL NADU

u

r"

~~t,z%

- -----, ""~AJAE OF CANALS I (f).:.LIIAN':, CANAl I {1'\,LATHURKALLAI CA •••• l '"P'ANUA·KUTAYI CANAL>'0NNANI CAlNAl

••NOLI CANAlKARUMAOI CANAl

AIKKUNNAPUZHA CANAl IHAVAAA CANAlJUlLON CANAl

ARAVUR CANAlARKALA CANAl

4NJENGOCANAL1'> "HANAKKARA CANAl

14_ ~KAI~ j

~''''''''''/ 1( ,

.,\

..)

J

l'J

'1,1

J'

qU

LEGEND

W4TF<I BODIES

NAv"iAPlE ,ANAL

NAVIGABLE <lIVlri

- ,)

,r! ,

9o

UJI r1-a £."'"iCutm~nf 1974

7'> it)' 16' iO

SOURCE: Water Atlas of Kerala, 1995

77

Fig. 3.4: Inland Navigation in Kerala

53

54


Table 3.12:The navigable lengths of rivers in KeralaSL NO. NAME OF RIVERTOTAL LENGTH IN KMNAVIGABLE LENGTllli'i KM

1

~t~lnjeswar 16 3.2

2

Uppala 50

3

Shiriya 67 4.8

4

Mogral J4

5

Chandragiri 105 12.8

6

Chitt.ni 25

7

Nileswar 46 11.2

8

Kariangode 64 24.0

9

Kavvayi 31 9.6

10

Peruvamba 51 16.0

11

Ramapuram 19 64

12

Kuppam 82 24.0

13

Valapattananl110 44.8

14

Anjar akkand y48 27.2

IS

Tellichery 28 21.6

16

Mahe 54 24.0

17

Kuttiyadi 74 9.6

18

Korappuzha 40 24.8

19

Kallai 22 9.6

20

Chali yar 169 684

21

Kadalundi 130 43.2

22

Tirur 48 9.6

23

Bharathapuzha209 40.0

24

Keechcri 51

25

Puzhakkal 29

26

KaruvalU1Ur 48 24.0

27

Ch.llakkudy DO 16.0

28

Peri yar 244 no29

Muvattupuzha121 25.6

3D

Meenachil 78 41.6

31

Manilliaia 90 54.4

32

Pamba 176 73.6

33

Acllenkovil 128 noJ4

Pallickal 42 2.0

35

Kallada 121 40.0

36

Ithikkar.l 56 16.0

37

Ayroor 17 1.0

38

V 31nanapuram88 11.2

39

~tamol11 27 1.0

40

Karaul.1na 68

41

Ne)'Y.u 56

Total

3092 8-15.2

Source: rWD (1974), Water Resources of Kerala

,.,FRt\IJ'\

\J.AJOR:-' \l'LfUL L.\KESA~L>HACKW.UERS<:orALE

'(ARNATAKA

WATER RESOURCES

76 10

....'... \,..•.,\.'-,~.

;.,..hokt " ,~

.••....•.

~'/\ .-~- ;

.•...•.

'-.\,- '" .•• i.,.'" /

•• fO", •• '/.1 \'- - .••.,'"

77

;XI ••

)

..'--

.,

", .•.••."'\ AMll NADLJ\.J.

,I'I'..-',. '"I~.~I j

~

'I

I..

,-

I It N

~]

~I - I -'"

•..,'. , "ItJ ,\,.• r..••••u,

••)I(b::Jn OJ t-..: ilW

.'~ ~""••,ty' ~(~ .,

r'r•

~'",f

'"'\.'-1"

~I, ·1

"~,.~ r,, II,

.•.,it I,t!'f"U"~.•.........•. \

Ir.-,iJ

SOURCE: Water Atlas of Kerala, 1995.

Fig. 3.5: Major Natural Lakes and Backwaters

55

STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KU.ALA 2005

Table 3.13: Areas of Inland Water Resources Contributing Rich Fisheries

Inland profile NosArea (Ha)

Rivers

4485000

Reservoirs

5342890

Ponds / Tanks

4721627625

Brackish water area

-65213

Back waters

5346129

Prawn filtration fields

23412873

Mangrove area

-1924

Source: Official website of Government of Kerala

The sprawling backwaters, lakes (Fig. 3.5) and the exclusive natural reservoirs

encircled with abundant greenery invariably find an important place on the tourism

potential of the state. Leisurely cruise in House Boats, floating cottages in the typical

Kerala architectural style - attracts a great number of tourists (Fig. 3.6).

Fig. 3.6: House Boat facilitating transportation in the Vembanad Lake

56

WATER RESOLlRCES

Several spectacular boat races take place in the backwaters, which attracts

thousands of spectators including foreign tourists. The most exciting races of different

categories of boats are the Nehru Trophy and the race associated with the Lord

Parthasarathy Temple festival at Aranmula

3.4 STATE

3.4.1 Surface Water Resources

As far as surface water resources are concerned, Kerala is rich with 44 rivers

which together yield 70300 Mm3 of water annually. However the total utilizable yield

is estimated to be 42000 Mm3, only 60% of the annual yield. In the all India perspective,

the rivers of Kerala are not so significant that even the largest of them cannot find a

place among the major Indian rivers. As per the national norm, rivers with drainage

areas of more than 20000 and 2000 Sq.km are called major and medium rivers

respectively. Rivers with drainage area less than 2000 Sq.km are termed as minor

rivers. With this national norm, Kerala does not have a single major river and has

only four medium rivers; the combined discharge of these four rivers is less than half

of that of river Krislma. The remaining 40 rivers are only minor ones; the combined

discharge of all of them together is only about one-third of that of Godavari. Apart

from these, the rivers of Kerala are monsoon fed and fast flowing. Monsoon flows

contribute to almost 90% of the annual yield, leaving only about 10% during lean

flow period. The Western Ghats from where the rivers originate is devoid of snow

and therefore these river systems do not have the benefit of water supplied during

the summer seasons as in north Indian rivers. Located in the high rain fall tropical

region, Kerala experiences two monsoon seasons with an average annual rain fall of

3000 mm. But due to steep and lmdulating topography, rainwater is not much retained

on the land thereby obviating the advantages of having high rain fall to a great extent.

The water potential in the river basins of Kerala is given in Table 3.14.

57

STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KEI\ALA 2005

Table 3.14: Water potential in the River basins of KeralaAnnual yicld,~IIl\'Annmlulilisable yield ~11l\'

Total

IIIOulsideTotal [IIKer.1l.1Outside

Nalllc of Basin

Keral.1Ker.1l.1 Ker.1l.1

M.1I\jeswar-Upp.1l.1

698309389379 106273

Shiriya

1337620717973 358615

Cll.lIldr.1giri-Mogr.11

3<J6.1171822-163129 12181911

Nileswar- KariHgooe

1710135635-1In8 937301

Ka V1/ a yi -Peruv am.ha- Ralnapuraul KUpp.11l\

11431143~il603 603Nil

V.1I.1p.1tt.1J1.,1l\

151612362801024 786238

Alliar.1blld y

40922784130B2938 18231115

Tellieher'}'

9869861'<i1503 503Nil

M.1he

251251Nil122 122Nil

KuttiY.1di·

803803Nil445 445Nil

CI tal iyar- Kor.1ppuzh.1- Kalla yi-

1831.518315Nil724.3 724.3Nil

K.1d.1lwldi Tirur

7775711';6403160 2616544

Bhar.1U\.1pu711.1

165165Nil60 60Nil

Keeeheri-puzllakkal

747865-1093841-16 3394797

K..uuvaJulur·

10241024Nil345 345Nil

Cll.1.l.1kkudy

1922.91922.9Nil781 781Nil

Periyar

312125-115802033 1539494

Muv.1ttupuzl1.,

11607113412668232 8004228

Meemdtil

38143814Nil1812 1812Nil

M.1Jlill1.,I.1

23492349Nil1110 1110Nil

P.1Jllb.,

18291829Nill10B IIOBNil

Aehelleovil

46414641Nil3164 31641'<il

K.1I1.1d.1-l'alliebl

2383n83Nil1249 1249Nil

Ithikbr.1

22702270Nil1368 1368Nil

Vam..:ul.lpuram-Ayroor M...1IH01l1

761761Nil429 4291"il

Karamal\il Neyyar'

13241324Nil889 889Nil

K.1bbini

836836;\Iii462 462i'Jil

BlI.W.111i

427.7427.7Nil266.9 266.9Nil

I)illl\har

4333unNil433.1 43331"il

1019

1019~il1019 1019Nil

708

708Nil708 7081'<il

Total

78119.170401.1771848753.242237.26516

. CWRDM (1995) Water Atlas of Kerala.

'CWRDM 2002 report on Water Resources of Kerala with reference to Neyyar, Kamvanur and

Kuttiyadi river basins.

58

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