Learnings from Kerala Floods for River Rejuvenation and River Basin Management in the Context of Climate Change
Invite to the National Workshop in Memory of Latha Anantha
15-16 November 2018 | Regional Theatre, Thrissur | Kerala
On 16 th November 2018 it would be one year since Latha (Dr. Latha Anantha) left us. Time moves so fast…memories still linger on.
You would agree that Latha was one of the prominent figures in the Indian water sector. A naturalist to the core, she dedicated her entire life for the cause of environment, especially flowing rivers and for conservation in the Western Ghats. Chalakudy River had a special place in her life and work. Founder of River Research Centre and part of the Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samithi (Chalakudy River Protection Forum), she was involved in many collectives including the Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India (Water Conflict Forum to be brief) and the International Rivers Network. Her words and deeds continue to inspire people, particularly the youth. The best tribute one can offer her is to continue and strengthen her initiatives. As part of Latha’s first death anniversary, ‘Friends of Latha’ are holding a national workshop on “Learnings from Kerala Floods for River Rejuvenation and River Basin Management in the Context of Climate Change” on 15 th and 16 th of November 2018 at Thrissur, Kerala.
The August 2018 Kerala floods will be discussed in the context of climate change and land use change, and inadequacies in disaster preparedness and issues regarding reservoir operations will be analysed. Experiences from most affected river basins/ districts will be shared. Ensuring e-flows in rivers, and river revival and river basin management were themes close to Latha’s heart. The workshop will dwell on these, and initiate a discussion on how to engage with water related disasters that are likely to increase with climate change. Tributes will be paid to Latha, and there
will be music and art.
There is also a plan to conduct a state-wide campaign “Ozhukanam Puzhakal” with the message of river revival, during December 2018 – January 2019. It aims to engage students and the larger society through exhibitions, seminars, street plays and creative outlets.
All of us are “Friends of Latha”. Do consider this a warm invite to the memorial conference, and also help build the campaign.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any clarifications.
With warm regards,
Ravi, Joy, Zabna and Ranjit
S. P. Ravi, Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samithi (9447518773); K. J. Joy, Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India, Pune (9422505473); Zabna A.B., Schools for River (9847260703); Dr Ranjit Kumar P., PG Centre, Thrissur (9846237861)
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
DAY ONE: 15-11-2018
9.30 am: Registration
10 – 11 am: Inaugural Session
Welcome:
Presidential Address: K Rajan MLA
Inauguration: Mathew T Thomas (Hon. Minister for Water Resources)
Address: VT Balram MLA
Vote of Thanks:
WORKSHOP THEME: Analysing the Deluge
11 am – 2.45 pm: Contributing Factors to Kerala Floods 2018
Chair: KJ Joy (Water Conflicts Forum and SOPPECOM, Pune)
Addressing Water Related Disasters in the context of Climate Change – Dr. Janki Andharia (TISS, Mumbai)
Weather and Climate Change Dr. S Abhilash (CUSAT)
Changing Western Ghats Landscape Dr. TV Sajeev (KFRI)
Disappearing Wetlands & Paddy Fields S Usha (Thanal, Thiruvananthapuram)
Did Dams Compound Floods? SP Ravi (Chalakudypuzha Samrakshana Samithi)
DISCUSSION PANEL: Dr. S Janakarajan (ex-MIDS), Dr. PA Azeez (ex-SACON), Abraham Samuel (SOPPECOM), Dr. Partha J Das (Aaranyak, Guwahati)
3 pm – 5.30 pm: Experiences / Learnings From Most Affected Regions
Chair: Dr. MP Parameswaran
Challenges faced in Rescue – VD Satheesan MLA
Kuttanad – Dr. KG Padmakumar (International Research & Training Centre for Below Sea Level Farming, Alappuzha)
Periyar River Basin – Dr. CM Joy
Wayanad District – N Badhusha (Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samithi)
Pamba River Basin – NK Sukumaran Nair (Pamba Parirakshana Samithi)
Chalakudypuzha Basin – Rajaneesh P (River Research Centre, Thrissur)
DISCUSSION PANEL: KK Sheeju (Chalakudy Block Panchayat), Dr. S Ramachandran (Meenachil Nadi Samrakshana Samithi), Prof. S Sitaraman (Kerala Nadi Samrakshana Samithi), Arun PA (FERNS, Wayanad)
6: 30 pm: “Puzha Parayunnathu” – BAMBOO SYMPHONY by Unnikrishna Pakkanar and Team
DAY TWO: 16 -11-2018
9.30 am to 10.30 am: Remembering Latha
Chair: Dr. VS Vijayan (Former Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board)
CR Neelakandan, MP Surendran, Geeta Vazhachal, Neha Bhadbhade, M Suchitra, Vilayodi Venugopal, Civic Chandran, Prof. Shobheendran, Adv. PA Pouran, Prof Kusumam Joseph, John Peruvanthanam
WORKSHOP THEME: River Rejuvenation and River Basin Management in the context of Climate Change
10-45 am – 1 pm: Challenges / Threats to River Flows
Chair: TM Manoharan, IFS (Rtd. PCCF, KFD)
Forests for Rivers – Dr. Veena Srinivasan (ATREE, Bengaluru)
Decreasing Summer Flows – Dr. George Abe (CWRDM, Kottayam Centre)
E-Flow as Right of Rivers – Sripad Dharmadhikari (Manthan Abhiyan Kendra, MP)
Impacts of Climate Change On River Hydrology – Dr. CG Madhusoodanan
DISCUSSION PANEL: Bindu Vasumathi (Dept. of Agriculture, Kerala), Rajesh N (DCF, Kerala Forest Dept), Madhavan Namboothiri, Murali Ramisetty (MARI Telangana), TV Rajan (Kerala Nadi Samrakshana Samithi)
1.45 pm – 3.15 pm: Towards Flowing Rivers
Chair: Dr. Ajaykumar Varma (Advisor, HKM)
Ensuring E-flows in Chalakudypuzha- Dr. Sudheer Padikkal (JWR Division)
Managing River Waters – Dr. Indiradevi (KAU)
Soil and Water Conservation: A River Basin Perspective- Rukmani R (Kerala State Land Use Board)
Community Initiatives – Eby Emmanuel (Meenachil Nadi Samrakshana Samithi)
3.15 pm – 4 pm: OPEN FORUM: Water Related Disasters in the Context of Climate Change
4.00 pm: Plenary Session
Welcome:
Presidential Address: Anil Akkara MLA
Chief Guest: VS Sunil Kumar (Hon. Minister for Agriculture)
Vote of thanks: