Water for life

The prime importance of water in our life must be given due recognition in all Government policies and programmes . The simple truth that for all practical purposes rain water forms the only source of pure water in the planet should be accepted with all the gravity it entails. This will mean that we should preserve our eco system in such a way that the amount of rainfall we receive will not be reduced on account of any such action which destroys the balance of nature . It also means that we should preserve our natural systems which receives the rain water and nourishes the land throughout the year . Top priority should be given to protect our rivers , the river banks, basins and the forests where they are originating . UN has declared 2005-2015 as the decade of Water for Life.
In Kerala, we can beautifully combine ecology and economy by preserving our entire highlands and forests . Our highlands have been extensively made into plantations which generates the cash crops which are a main stay in generating our foreign exchange . However the growth and expansion of plantations should be controlled so that they don’t threaten the natural forests and other ecosystems.
The prime importance of forests in being the perennial source of fresh water by storing rain water must be recognized and those forest lands which forms the origin of our rivers must be declared as “Life Sources” . Extensive programs for reforestation should be initiated . Land could be handed over to NGOs and SHGs of tribal populations to grow and maintain forests.Rain water Harvesting has already been initiated on large scale .The momentum of such initiatives should be maintained and augmented . We should be able to store at least 50% of all the rain water that falls into this land . The concept of “Water security” must be recognized . It is also important in our positioning as a major global tourist destination .We should promote ourselves as the place where the purest of food ,water and climate is available ,thus reinforcing our motto of “Gods own country”. At another stage large scale collection of rain water will enable us to even sell the same which will generate income to sustain efforts of rainwater conservation