The devastating floods of 2018 and 2019 exposed deep flaws in Kerala’s fragmented water governance and river basin management. The intense monsoon downpours, combined with rapid runoff from steep terrains and poor coordination among departments, resulted in unprecedented flooding and loss of life and property.
Published Jul 05, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 05, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam courtesy - Kerala Tourism
Synopsis: Kerala has formalised a first-of-its-kind Operational Framework for Integrated River Basin Conservation and Management to address its worsening water-related challenges and fragmented governance exposed by the devastating floods in recent years. It outlines basin-specific master plans, annual action plans, and coordination among departments, aiming to ensure sustainable, climate-resilient, and equitable use of water resources.
Kerala, a state often romanticised for its lush greenery and backwaters, is now taking a decisive step to confront the mounting ecological and hydrological crises threatening its fragile river systems.
With 44 rivers, over 2,500 lakes and ponds, intricate networks of streams, and a diverse topography that drops from misty high ranges to low-lying coastal plains in barely 100 kilometres, the state faces unique water management challenges.
The devastating floods of 2018 and 2019 exposed deep flaws in Kerala’s fragmented water governance and river basin management.
The intense monsoon downpours, combined with rapid runoff from steep terrains and poor coordination among departments, resulted in unprecedented flooding and loss of life and property.
Now, in what experts term a much-needed structural reform, Kerala has formalised an Operational Framework for Integrated River Basin Conservation and Management (IRBCM) – a first-of-its-kind comprehensive guideline aimed at transforming how the state conserves, manages, and utilises its water resources.
More than just a policy document, the Water Resources Department (WRD) says, it offers a roadmap for balancing ecological conservation with community needs, climate resilience, and sustainable development, through a collaborative, basin-wide approach.
South First unpacks why this framework matters, what it proposes, and how it could redefine water governance in a state where too much, too little, or poorly managed water can swiftly turn a blessing into a disaster.
According to the World Bank, integrated river basin management aims to establish a framework for coordination whereby all administrations and stakeholders involved in river basin planning and management can come together to develop an agreed set of policies and strategies.
This will further help in achieving a balanced and acceptable approach to land, water, and natural resource management.
According to the WRD, Kerala, with its unique topography of steep highlands rapidly descending to a densely populated coastal plain, faces a complex web of water-related challenges that urgently call for an IRBCM framework.
While the devastating floods of recent years highlighted the immediate need, the state’s river basins continue to be under severe and growing pressure from a range of issues.
These include recurrent flooding and waterlogging in downstream areas, landslide-induced debris flows, and severe bank erosion during floods, leading to damage of infrastructure, property, and agricultural lands.
Compounding these are problems like reservoir siltation, sandbars obstructing water intakes, and the shrinking water-holding capacity of rivers due to siltation, encroachment, and altered hydrological patterns worsened by climate change.
The scarcity of potable and irrigation water during dry seasons sparks competition for surface water, while salinity intrusion threatens wetlands, agriculture, fisheries, and drinking water sources.
Unregulated use of pesticides and fertilisers deteriorates water quality, endangering public health.
Inadequate solid waste management further pollutes water bodies and accelerates encroachments.
Meanwhile, the absence of clearly demarcated floodplains and wetlands triggers conflicts among land users, and poor urban drainage systems leave towns waterlogged during heavy rains.
The navigability of inland waterways is compromised by low-hanging bridges, bank erosion, and illegal encroachments.
Added to this, they point out, is the need for coordinated agricultural practices, including delineating special agricultural zones and implementing joint crop calendars to regulate inputs like pesticides and manage salinity barrages effectively.
In the absence of an IRBCM plan, the department stated in a report to the state government, these fragmented, unmanaged pressures continue to mount, posing serious economic, environmental, and public health risks.
Establishing an IRBCM framework, they believe, would bring together all stakeholders – government, communities, and sectors – under a unified strategy to sustainably manage Kerala’s precious, yet increasingly fragile, river basins.
The Water Resources Department (WRD) points out that Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM), being a holistic and participatory approach, seeks to harmonise ecological, social, economic, and cultural interests within each river basin, ensuring long-term resilience against climate extremes and resource depletion.
The initiative envisions comprehensive master plans for every river system, safeguarding both surface and groundwater quality while promoting inclusive development.
With strategies shaped by robust data, scenario-based impact analyses, and actionable interventions, IRBM aims to empower institutions at every level – from state to grassroots – transforming the way Kerala manages its lifelines and securing a water-secure, prosperous future for generations to come.
At its core, the framework outlines a holistic strategy to develop Integrated State Water Plans and Master Plans for each of the state’s 44 river basins, with clear, time-bound goals.
This initiative focuses on protecting surface and groundwater resources and safeguarding water quality through scientifically designed conservation and regulatory practices.
It aims to bridge the gaps between multiple government departments and agencies, ensuring that existing policies, projects, and financial mechanisms are harmonised at the state, district, and local levels.
The framework proposes both structural and non-structural interventions, introducing new projects tailored to the unique needs of individual river basins. A strong emphasis is placed on data sharing, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among stakeholders, fostering a culture of transparency and evidence-based decision-making.
Equally important is the commitment to advocacy and public awareness – promoting the principles of integrated river basin management among communities, officials, and policymakers – ensuring a water-secure and climate-resilient Kerala for future generations.
It also proposes the establishment of an apex committee (headed by the Chief Minister), a steering committee (headed by the Chief Secretary), a technical committee (headed by the Water Resources Secretary), and river basin-level committees (to be chaired by the District Collector of the district with the largest geographical area of the river basin).
The framework states that each river basin will have a long-term plan as well as an Annual Action Plan (AAP).
While the long-term plan focuses on conserving the natural environmental flow and health of river systems, and ensuring the continued availability of water resources for future generations, the AAP is an essential tool for implementing the objectives set out in the long-term river basin management strategy.
WRD officials say it breaks down broader goals into specific, achievable tasks, prioritising actionable targets for each year. Through this approach, the AAP ensures systematic progress towards river basin conservation, resource sustainability, and climate resilience.
In terms of financial structure for implementing the plans, the framework states it will rely on departmental budget allocations, along with a dedicated pool fund to be established by the state government and managed by the steering committee for state-level coordination. Supplementary funding sources will also be explored – offering a flexible resource to meet additional requirements beyond departmental allocations.
According to the WRD, the proposed framework aims to enhance coordination, accountability, and sustainability in river basin management – ultimately contributing to the conservation of water resources and the welfare of local communities.
However, they also noted that while the framework focuses on establishing institutional, governance, and management structures for river basin conservation and planning, it does not address the management or jurisdiction of interstate rivers flowing through the state.
Following the 2018 floods, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority had sought the help of Dutch scientists Paul van Meel and Simon Warmerdam to conduct a study on Kerala Integrated Water Resources Management, which further highlighted the urgent need for a river basin plan.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
