India: Reinstraft of historical channels to deal with climate change – eSHOP24X7

Kochi, an important port on the western coast of India, is known as the “Queen of the Arabic Sea.” The dense network of rivers, narrow and channels used to be the life line of this city at the same time.

The river routes were the means of movement of people and goods, provided water for daily use, and the water of the monsoon escapes the sea.

But in the midst of the growing urbanization in recent decades, many river routes have remained neglected or not planned.

The water flow is being interrupted by the invasion of buildings and bridges on the river tracks. Water has been contaminated by unrelated waste and has been replaced by fish and birds, mosquitoes or plants that spread rapidly and are harmful to the environment and human health.

These problems increase even more due to climate change: the increase in sea level, excessive rains and rapid and fans, the risk of flooding in this city with a population of six Lakhs has increased.

New initiative

As part of an initiative of local authorities, supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Kochi, efforts are now being made to restore the city’s river paths. This project has dreamed of seeing the city’s residents to see such clean channels, in which it is possible to swim.

To solve environmental challenges in the urban areas of the world, nature -based solutions are being promoted. In this sense, this project is part of the initiative called the initiative of Cities of Restoration of the UNP generation.

Miray Atallah, head of adaptation and comforting branch in the climate change division of UNEP, declared that “the stable and inanimate channels of Kochi are a symbol of three main environmental crises of our time: climate change, loss of nature and pollution.”

“When reliving them, the city will protect the city from these stars that loom themselves about existence and its inhabitants will get a better city and a safe future.”

The Municipal Corporation of the UNP and Kochi began the recurring campaign, the Thewara-Uberndur channel, that is, the TP channel, which flows approximately 10 km through the main commercial area of ​​the city and densely populated residential areas.

In recent years, experts and officers have been discussing ways to relive the TP channel. Recommendations were also made to re -connect the channel and its ecosystem with other river routes, increase biodiversity and make better arrangements in their banks and increase investment in wastewater and waste management.

Every year, during the monsoon season, officers cavan channels to reduce flood water in low -measure areas. But due to the lack of public and political support, the most ambitious solutions could not work completely.

Remedy for Re -Medidas

As part of the new project and renewed efforts, efforts are being made to explain the importance of channels for residents and local officials to deal with climate change. The Renaissance of the channels will help deal with the situation of flooding in the city during the monsoon season.

When planting trees along the channels, green corridors will be formed, which will help reduce excessive heat due to climate change.

On June 5 of last year, photographic competition was organized on the occasion of World Environment Day, through which local residents recalled the prosperity of the channels in the past.

In this, some 400 school students participated in illustration and essay writing competitions to imagine the ways to resort to the channel. In addition to this, dozens of historical and current channel images were presented establishing an exhibition in a city park.

Rajan Center, director of the Center for Heritage, Environment and Development, said: “We asked people in the exhibition if they would like to swim on the channel. Everyone replied that yes. But he also said:” Not now, only when the water says goodbye again! “

Rajan Chedembath says that older people told him how this channel used to be a clean and fluid water source, and people used it to cook and wash clothes.

Through the channel, the materials were transported through the city, from the small traditional boats known as ‘Vanchis’. In addition, there used to be enough fish for the diligence of fishermen’s life.

According to Rajan Chedembath, “it is also difficult to imagine these things now. But we are sure that to relive the channel, there is strong public support.”

Project employees, the recommendations received from the discussions so far are included in an implementation plan that will be presented to the main interested parties and possible investors.

For the project, the UNPE is also taking innovative measures, which will help expand nature -based solutions with the help of data related to the environment and the population of cities.

“Until a few years ago, nobody understood the importance of channels. But due to the continuous waters of the flood and other problems around the channel, political people and leaders are now taking this issue seriously.

Detailed version of this first article Here Published.