REPORT NUMBER: CESS-PR-01-2005
MONITORING OF WATER & SEDIMENT QUALITY IN THE KOCHI HARBOUR REGION

Abstract
The water and sediment quality of the Cochin Harbour Region were monitored from August 2004 to January 2005. The result showed that most of the parameters remain more or less constant as in the previous surveys in the same study period. The average pH of the surface water was 7.74 in the present study whereas 7.48 in 2002 and 7.49 in 2003. Dissolved Oxygen followed more or less steady state during the study period. The nutrients did not show much variation from the previous years. Regarding the sediment quality pH remain unchanged by giving values 7.02 in 2002, 6.93 in 2003 and 6.72 in 2004. Trace metals showed a slight increasing tendency from 2002 to 2004 was probably due to industrial input of these metals. The average concentration of cadmium in the present study was 1.07 ppm, which is lower than 2003 (1.85ppm) and 2002 (1.96ppm). The concentration of lead in the sediments was increased from 36.19 ppm in 2002 to 39.77 ppm in 2003 and 40.79 in 2004. Mercury also showed an increase from 0.57 ppm in 2002 to 0.63 ppm 2003 and 0.82 ppm in 2004.

Type of report
8th Half YearlyReport

Funding agency
Kochi Port Trust

Investigators
Dr. P.P.Ouseph et al.

Abstract
As part or the watershed studies project a major inventory creation initiative was undertaken in the tribal hamlets of the five southern districts of Kerala. In tune with this a detailed quality of life study of the tribals of the Kottyam district was also undertaken from 2002 onwards. The report presents details of tribal hamlets of Kottayam district. The tribal settlements of the district have been classified in to low, medium, high and hotspots based on developmental priorities. Some of the important developmental indices like educational facilities, housing, literacy, land holdings, occupation, sanitation, availability of drinking water etc. have been analyzed for classifying the hamlets.

Type of report
Final Report (Volume-25) of “Watershed Studies in Selected Districts of Kerala with Special Emphasis on Tribal Settlements”

Funding agency
Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, Government of Kerala

Investigators
Dr. V. Nandakumar, Dr. P. Rajendran*, Dr. K. Narendra Babu, Dr. S. Chandrakaran@, Shri. V.M. Abdul Hakkim*, Shri. S. Sidharthan, Shri. K. Raju, Dr. C.S. Jayachandran Nair, Shri. C.E. Ajith Kumar (*KAU, @NIT, Calicut)

REPORT NUMBER: CESS-PR-03-2005
COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF MANKULAM HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT (2 X 20 MW)

Abstract

A Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (CEIA) of the proposed 2 x 20 MW Mankulam Hydro Electric Project of Kerala State Electricity Board has been carried out based on the guidelines and methodology stipulated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The baseline environmental status of the impact zone (area within 10 km radius of the proposed dam site) has been assessed during monsoon, winter and summer seasons. The beneficial and adverse impacts on various environmental attributes due to different activities at present and envisaged during the construction and operation phases of the project have been evaluated.
The designated impact zone is characterized by typical Western Ghats terrain. The forest landuse here is now partially converted to settlement and plantations. The socio-economic activities are mainly linked to agriculture, minor forest produce extraction and plantations. In recent years the natural vegetation is reduced considerably, the rate of which in the direct draining catchment is 38 ha/year during the period from 1976 to 2004. In terms of vulnerability to soil erosion and slope stability, about 50 % of the direct draining catchment is critical. The human activities in the impact zone are mainly confined around Mankulam township, which is within the direct draining catchment. The overall environmental impact at present is adverse with minimum beneficial impacts in the socio-economic environment. The magnitude of impact can be brought down to moderate level by incorporating appropriate Environmental Management Plan (EMP) while undertaking the activities. The predicted impact during the construction phase is significantly adverse even after incorporating appropriate EMP. However, during operation phase, with the strict implementation of EMP, the impact will be beneficial. The project has potential to increase the peak power production with moderate disturbance to the natural systems. The probable drying up of river stretch can be avoided by ensuring a minimum sluice flow of 15,500 m3 of water, the minimum most monthly average flow as recorded by KSEB at Mankulam. The projects directly affect a tribal settlement and other population for which detailed R&R plan has been proposed. The dam break analysis reveal that the flood wave is catastrophic initially and attenuate and reaches up to 25 km downstream. A detailed disaster management plan is suggested to minimize the risk of the population downstream. A detailed catchment area treatment plan has been suggested for the Mankulam catchment, which includes biological and engineering measures. It is suggested that Environmental Management Plan, Catchment Area Treatment Plan and Disaster Management Plan should be implemented without compromise.

Type of report
PROJECT REPORT

Funding agency
Kerala State Electricity Board

Investigators
R. AJAYKUMAR VARMA, C. N. MOHANAN, M. N. M. NAIR, S. MURALIDAS, V. MURALIDHARAN, R. SATHEESH, ABIN PHILIP, JEEVAN P. S.

REPORT NUMBER: CESS-PR-04-2005
RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, AKKULAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Abstract
The International Convention centre complex (ICC) proposed near Akkulam boat clubis ajoint venture of the Dept. of tourism and Dept. of information tecjnologu, Government of Kerala. A Ra[odEOA (REOA) jas neen dme nased on thje project confifuration and implementation framewprl of ICC prparee bu theIL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation. The EIA is intended for incorporation into the detailed project report for facilitating the operator to decide choice of design and development of ICC in agreement with the Government jointly develop, build, operate and maintain it over an authorzation period, in the land owned by Techno Park.
The REIA of the proposed ICC has considered the potential impats covering land,air, water, biological, awstheticand soco-economic encironments during planning, construction and operation periods. The project has given leverage to water based recreation, innovaive architecture maintining maximum water frontage

Type of report
Project Report

Funding agency

Investigators
Dr. C.N. Mohanan

Abstract
A disdrometer to measure the drop size distribution and five rapid response rain guages to measure the rain rate have been deployed to study the rainfall chara cteristics at different altitude regions in Kerala. The disdrometer was operated at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Shriharikota and Munnar. The RRGs were installed at Kochi, Kulamavu, Vamdiperiyar, Peermede and Munnar.

The highlights of the study are: the variation of number of drops with drop diameter follows a log normal distribution. The rainfall in terms of number of drops per unit volume and the geometric mean diameter of the drops are similar for Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
The characteristics at SHAR are different from those at Kochi. The characteristics of rainfall at a high altitude station like Munnar is different from those of a station in the plains.

Type of report
Project Completion Report

Funding agency
Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, Government of Kerala

Investigators
Dr. S. Sampath, Dr. V. Sasikumar & Dr. P.V.S.S.K. Vinayak