Protest intensifies against large-scale water extraction from Tejaswini river in Keralam’s Kasaragod
Residents and activists are protesting a water extraction project on the Tejaswini river in Kerala, citing concerns over insufficient flow during summer months. They are demanding a scientific assessment of the river's sustainability before the Kerala Water Authority proceeds with the project.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights the growing tension between regional water supply needs and environmental sustainability in drought-prone areas.
Protest is mounting against the extraction of large quantities of water from the Tejaswini river at Mukkada and supplying it to seven local bodies in Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
The proposed Trikkaripur adjoining panchayat drinking water project of the Kerala Water Authority envisages drawing water from the Tejaswini and supplying it to Kariverllur-Peralam and Kankol-Alapadamba panchayats in Kannur and five panchayats in Kasaragod.
According to the protesters, the project proposes to extract around 20 million litres of water a day (MLD), with the quantity expected to cross 30 MLD in March and April. They fear that the river does not have sufficient flow to sustain such extraction, particularly during the summer, and that the extraction could aggravate water scarcity in the region.
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