THRISSUR: The national river festival being organised by the Nila Vichara Vedi in June will focus on water literacy and the need to protect the watershed sites of all the 44 rivers in Kerala. The organisers told DC that they had met Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave and River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharti in Delhi and requested them to focus more on water conservation during monsoon. The fest will be held on the banks of Bharathapuzha at Cheruthuruthy from June 2 to 5.
“It is a biannual event and we changed the timings from May to June as we want to focus on water harvesting at the micro-level and water conservation when there is rain. Though the state is reeling under the worst summer in its history, there is no organized campaign at the government level about water conservation,” Mr Vipin Koodiyedath, one of the organisers told DC.
Noted environmentalists Madhav Gadgil, Vandana Shiva, National Bio-diversity Authority chairperson B. Meenakumari, scientists, cultural leaders and activists from across the country are expected to take part in the fest. “There will be discussions on the three rivers of Bharathapuzha, Chalakkudi and Periyar. The activists protesting against Athirappally hydel projects and those at Plachimada will also attend the fest,” organisers V. Murali and Prabha Sankar said.
