R&D MANAGEMENT
	SUB CENTRES
	ADMINISTRATION

Scientific Team

Dr P N Unni, Coordinator
Dr P K Pradeepkumar, Project Manager
C M Sushanth, Team Leader

Goal
The overall goal of the project is to manage the fresh water sources of the Lakshadweep Islands, thereby making available minimum required fresh water for sustaining human life in the Islands and also scientifically managing the groundwater sources of these hydro- geologically sensitive islands.

Purpose
The purpose of the project is to cater to the drinking water requirements of the Islands, to conserve and appropriately utilize the sub- surface sources, and to avoid over exploitation of groundwater from these hydro-geologically sensitive groups of islands.

Outcome
The measures suggested are expected to improve the present status of groundwater sources and save these hydrogeologically sensitive islands from the intrusion of saline water to the freshwater zone, and subsequent problems to the environment. Capacity building forms an integral part of the project. The user associations formed are expected to be sufficiently empowered by the end of the project.

At the end of the project, it is expected that a model will be evolved for replication in other tropical islands of South East Asia.

Output

	Groundwater management through utilization of subsurface water through wells with radial pipes and reducing the over-exploitation of groundwater sources through the stipulation of levels of withdrawal and awareness programmes.
	Rainwater harvesting by the construction of roof-top rainwater harvesting structures for collection and storage in underground ferro-cement tanks and lined ponds.
	Capacity building through infrastructure development and training programmes.
	People's participation through awareness, formation of user associations, etc.

Achievements in brief

	Household baseline socio-economic survey has been completed
	PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) has been conducted
	User Associations have been formed
	Around 200 Rainwater Harvesting Structures constructed
	Hydrogeological investigations in Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Minicoy and Kadmat islands completed
	Water quality monitoring has been conducted, which shows that 90% of the wells are contaminated with coliform bacteria

2. Integrated Development Plan for Calicut City
(funded by UNDP/ DST under MATURE/TIFFAC)

Scientific Team

Dr  P S Harikumar, Team Leader
A B Anitha
V P Dinesan

Goal
The overall goal of the project is to evolve a development plan for Calicut Corporation through community participation using multi-sectoral and integrated approach, providing adequate innovative technology inputs so as to ensure sustainability.

Purpose
The purpose of the project is to upgrade the civic infrastructure facilities of the Corporation, keeping in view the needs of the projected urban population and regional requirements with special emphasis on distressed sections of the society.

Output
Constructed wetlands for waste water treatment
Pond regeneration using ferrocement technology
Stormwater modelling for drainage works
GIS-based resource mapping
Vision document for Calicut Corporation
Capacity building

The project is in its final stage. The works were carried out as per the schedule with the full support of the Calicut Corporation and the local people. The Vision Document is expected to help in the future development of the city.

3. Preparation of Eco-restoration Plans for Attappady Valley (funded by JBIC)

The original project document was prepared by CWRDM, aiming at the eco-restoration of the Attappady Valley in the semi-arid zone, inhabited by large number of tribals. CWRDM was entrusted by JBIC to prepare the Ecorestoration Plans for the watersheds in the Attappady valley.

4. OTHER PROJECTS

I. Rain Water Harvesting (funded by DST)

Roof-top rainwater harvesting, adopting low-cost ferro cement construction, was demonstrated and implemented in the districts of Kerala, namely, Kannur, Malppuram and Kozhikode. Rain water harvesting systems suitable for the site conditions were designed and implemented in the drought-prone areas. On the-job-training was imparted on rain water harvesting technologies to the selected unemployed youth at the target sites.
(Coordinated by Environmental Studies Division)

II. Demonstration of low cost rainwater harvesting methods in
selected watersheds of Ithikkara river basin (funded by Kollam Jilla
Panchayat)

The main objective of the project is to demonstrate low-cost rainwater harvesting methods in the Ithikkara river basin. The work is carried out after identifying the water-scarce areas in the basin.

(Coordinated by Neyyattinkara Sub Centre)

III. Integrated wasteland development project for watershed
development (funded by Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India)

Seven watersheds, covering a total area of 4,673 ha in the Iddukki District of Kerala, namely Majappara, Pazhayarikandam, Kadavari, Koovappally, Pattupara, Uppukunnu and Panamkutty were taken up for implementing watershed development programmes. The implementation part of the project was entrusted to the Peerumedu Development Society, a voluntary agency, which is a Programme Implementing Agency (PIA) for another similar project in the Iddukki district. The major components of the project are: watershed treatment/development works, entry point activities, forming watershed community organizations, training and financial assistance to Self Help Groups. The training part of the project is carried out directly by CWRDM.

(Coordinated by Kottayam Sub Centre)

Participatory Irrigation Management is an attempt to increase farmers' direct involvement in irrigation management, which ultimately results in the transfer of authority and responsibilities from the government, either in full or in part, to farmer organizations. Under this study, one branch canal each of Neyyar (Olathanni) and Malampuzha (Kuthannur) projects are taken up with the objectives: to learn from the experiences on a small-scale manageable irrigation system by implementing, monitoring and learning; to help in testing the appropriateness of various PIM elements to local conditions; to demonstrate the possibility of PIM in Kerala; and to evolve a practicable and replicable strategy for the implementation in all irrigation projects of Kerala.

(Coordinated by Neyyattinkara Sub Centre)