Kochi is a major port on the west coast of India, known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. The dense network of rivers, narrowing and canals was once used as the lifeline of this city.
The waterways were the means of the movement of people and products, providing water for daily use and the rain water returned to the sea.
However, in recent decades, many waterways are neglected or unplanned in rapid growing urbanization.
Water flow is being obstructed by occupying the buildings and bridges by waterways. Water has been polluted by non -medical waste and has been replaced by fish and birds, mosquitoes or plants that spread rapidly and harm to the environment and human health.
These problems are increasing due to climate change: sea level increases, excess rainfall and fast, swollen waves, the risk of flooding of six million population in this city has increased.
New initiative
As part of an initiative of local authorities supported by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) in Kochi, the city is now trying to recover the city waterways. The project dreamed of seeing the city’s clean canals to see these clean canals, where swimming could be possible.
To solve environmental challenges in urban regions around the world, nature-based solutions are being promoted. In this context, this project is a part of the initiative known as the UNEP Generation Restoration City Initiative.
Mir Atlahlah, head of the adaptation and consolation branch of the UNEP’s Climate Change Department, said, “Kochi’s stable, lifeless canals are symbols of three major environmental crises of our era: climate change, decrease in nature and pollution.”
“By recovering them, the city will protect the city from the existence of these stars and its inhabitants will get better city and a safe future” “
UNEP and Kochi Municipality Corporation began repeated campaigns, the Thora-Perendu Canal, that is, the TP canal, which flows about 10 km of the city’s main business region and densely populated residential areas.
For the past several years, experts and officers have been discussing ways to recover the TP canal. It was also recommended to enhance biodiversity and to make better arrangements in its banks and to reconnect the canal and its ecosystem to other waterways to increase investment in sewage and waste management.
Every year during the monsoon season, officials dig the canals to reduce flood water in the lower -area. However, due to lack of public and political support, more ambitious solutions could not be fully operated.
Remedy
As part of the new project and new effort, the local residents and officials are trying to explain the importance of the canal to tackle climate change. The revival of the canals will help deal with the waterlogging situation in the city during the monsoon season.
By planting trees along the canal, the green corridor will be formed, which will help reduce excess heat due to climate change.
On June 7 last year, a photo competition was organized on the occasion of World Environment Day, through which local residents were reminded of the prosperity of the canal in the past.
About 5 school students participated in the competition to write paintings and essays to imagine ways to re -sort the canal. In addition to these, dozens of historical tihasik and current images of the canal were presented by setting up an exhibition in a city park.
Rajan Center, director of Heritage, Environment and Development Center, said, “We asked people at the exhibition whether they were trying to swim in the canal. They all replied yes.”
Rajan Chedbath says that senior citizens told him how this canal was used as a clean, flowing water source and people used to cook it and wash clothes.
Through the canal, the materials were transported across the city, from the small traditional fideled boats known as ‘Vanchis’. Also, there were enough fish for fishermen’s life-contradictions.
According to Rajan Chadambath, “Now these things are difficult to imagine. But we are sure to recover the canal, strong public support exists.”
Project employees, the recommendations received from the discussion so far have been included in an implementation plan that will be presented to the main stakeholders and potential investors.
For the project, UNEPO is taking innovative measures, which will help expand nature-based solutions with the help of the city’s environment and population.
“Until a few years ago no one understands the importance of the canal. But people and political leaders are now taking this issue seriously due to continuous flood water and other problems around the canal.
At first the detailed version of this article Here Published.