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Chapter 2Policy, Legislation and Regulationand regulations have been known to fail because of the lack of implementation mechanisms.LSGs have a specific role on decision making and organizing implementation mechanisms withmutual linkage between government and civil society.Specific subjects/tasks that can be taken up by LSGsRecognize “wetland” as one of the non-negotiable land uses and “Common propertyresource” and resolve not to put these into any non wetland use by reclamation ordiversion. It is constitutionally possible by listing it under the item “common assets”.Among the standing Committees of LSGs, allocate the subject of wetland conservationspecifically to a relevant committee as part of the community assets of environmental,sanitation, or water resources significance. The objective should be to ensure sustainedstatus of the wetlands on the parameters of water spread area, pollution critieria, growthof aquatic weeds, regulation of fishing, use of commercial activities and most importantly,regulating use as well as participation of the polluter agencies in mitigating pollution.Evaluation of wetlands for their potential of contributing to the economic well being of thepeople in the vicinity. Non invasive economic activities can be tourism within the carryingcapacity, fishing and aquaculture, use of weeds for fiber based cottage industries, coirretting after assigning areas with suitable measures to mitigate the bad impact etc. Thishowever, would require scientific back up for which competent agencies are available inKerala.Among the sectors devolved to LSGs, allocate specifically the management of wetlands to afunctionally competent line department. Among the existing ones include social forestry,minor irrigation (with qualification to the civil engineering), sanitation (environmental wingmay be created) or welfare.Demarcation of wetland boundaries on scientific basis to work on the areas which must bepreserved apart for ensuring the wetland environment intact. Any reclamation or diversionof such areas for any permanent development should not be planned.Provide for plan outlays for wetland eco-restoration. For this purpose, the managementaction plans can be coordinated by Department of Environment in consultation with theKSCSTE/civil society. Feasibility of a state plan sponsored LSG level scheme may also beconsidered to ensure fruitful partnership between the state government and LSGs forecorestoration of wetlands.Wetlands have been considered equally important for biodiversity and conservation valuesas unique habitats for birds especially migratory species. Much of the scientific work onthis aspect has actually been responsible for the famous Ramsar Convention and centrallysponsored scheme on wetlands conservation initially. Considering these facts, it is veryessential that any management planning takes into account the conservation value of theseecosystems while providing for their sustainable use. To ensure this, a strong interface ofempowered institutions (LSGs) will be required with the scientific institutions and civilsociety organizations. Kerala specially has rich repositories of information and knowledgeon wetland resource conservation and economic valuations. This can be organised throughthe department of environment.Conservation/management action plans by individual LSGIs are usually not feasible becausewetlands are often spread within the political area of several LSGIs and may have thewatershed extended over others. Therefore, a comprehensive plan with basin approach is
Environmental Assessment ReportKerala Local Government Strengthening Projectrequired for sustainability. This can be achieved through the coordinated effort/actionplan of LSGIs coming under the watershed and/or command area of a wetland. For this,appropriate state level agency will be needed for holistic planning and coordinating withthe participating LSGIs based on actual requirements and also by assisting LSGIs to findsuitable implementation agencies/supporting organizations.2.3.3.7.Rural Water Supply SchemesRural Water Supply Schemes- Improvements to the Existing Schemes : Most of the ruralwater supply schemes commissioned years ago need replacement of pipelines, pumps andmotors, electrical installations etc. To improve the quality of water supplied, replacement offilter media of intake/treatment plants are required. Similarly many of the civil structuressuch as components of treatment plants and OH reservoirs need repair and rehabilitation. Dueto the staleness of the pipes and lack of preventive maintenance, distribution loss of about 40percent of water produced is estimated. Hence more thrust would be given to rehabilitation ofall old rural water supply schemes to reduce distribution loss to the minimum and to improveperformance.Matching Assistance for LIC Assisted Rural Water Supply Schemes: Out of the 57 LIC aidedRWSS, four schemes were completed, 14 schemes were taken up under other Central / Stateassisted programmes, three schemes were dropped and 33 schemes were posed under theSPAN – RIDF XIV of NABARD. Remaining ongoing RWSS under this category is only three. Ofthese schemes, two schemes could not be taken up due to various reasons and the otherscheme, viz. RWSS to Perinad & Panayam is functioning well. Two more schemes, WSS toAyippuzha Kalampara area and WSS to Parakkamala have been sanctioned under the same headduring 2008-09.Total Sanitation Campaign (25% State Share): The allocation based Restructured CentralRural Sanitation Programme was replaced fully by the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) from2002-03 onwards. TSC Project has been sanctioned in 14 districts of Kerala and these projectsare at various stages of implementation. The implementation of TSC is on project mode andthe main components are individual household latrines, institutional (school) latrines,anganwadi toilets, community complexes for women, Rural Sanitary Marts (RSM), solid andliquid waste management etc. Kerala is top among the states with respect to the achievementsof TSC targets. As part of this succesfull campaign, almost 97% of the panchayat areas haveachieved open defecation free status.Completion of World Bank aided Kerala Rural Water Supply Project – Jalanidhi : Eventhough the external assistance was terminated with effect from 30.09.2008, all the targetedworks were not yet completed. Two comprehensive Water Supply schemes and the Chavara –Panmana Tsunami Water Supply Projects are the works to be carried out during 2009- 10. Sincethe external assistance was terminated, an amount of Rs.100.00 lakh is proposed from theState sector allocation of Annual Plan 2009-10 for completing the Jalanidhi Project.Water Supply Schemes to Rural Schools (50% State Share): As per guidelines issued fromGovernment of India, drinking water has to be provided to all rural schools. Expenditure for80
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