Under the Rajeev Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM), Ground water prospect maps of Kerala state is being prepared by CESS as per the guidelines of NRSA.

The maps are prepared as 1:50,000 scale using geocoded IRS LISS-II

This involved the preparation of five different layers viz.

Administrative maps with NC/PC habitations,
Drainage maps including Canal network,
Geology
Geomorphology
Structure
Lineaments

With additional hydrological data incorporated, a composite map is prepared integrating the above themes to arrive at discrete zones of differencing water potential.

The maps also contain specific sites for the construction of recharge structures to enhance the availability of ground water in given area.

The maps provide a scientific database for the user agencies in identifying source regions especially in the non-covered and partially covered areas.

GIS analysis of catchment characteristics of Pamba River and its relation to irrigation project

Studies on hydro geological and socioeconomic aspects

Contour mapping

Thematic maps on relief, irrigability and geology

Management action plan of Sasthamkotta lake and associated peripheral fresh water bodies, Kollam district, Kerala

Sasthamkotta is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala. To the east and south of Sasthamkotta lake lie two other fresh water bodies within the floodplains of river Kallada. These water bodies together occupy an area of 6.80 km2. Over the years storage capacity of the lakes have been reduced. Being the only source of water for the major township of the district and the adjoining panchayats, conservation of these water bodies assumes significance. Further, the catchments of the three lakes measuring around 66 km² is an ideal site of restoration of biodiversity endemic to typical lowland region of Kerala. It is also observed that conservation of these water bodies is possible through adoption of wetland conservation measures within the floodplains and the downstream reaches of the river, especially by maintaining
the channel depth through curbing of sand mining activity from the river bed. All these aspects have been included in the Management Action Plan (MAP) proposal, besides proposed steps for slope stabilisation and artificial recharge. MAP implementation is suggested to be placed
under the supervision of a high level committee headed by the District Collector, Kollam, with representatives from local bodies, Government Departments and Scientific Institutions. For the local level management activities, formation of water conservation groups for the three water bodies has also been proposed.

Conservation of Vellayani Lake in Trivandrum District as drinking water resource-detailed Study

A systematic study of the Vellayani Lake, initiated last year, was continued to assess the water resource potential and to conserve the catchment area with a view to assist the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to develop the lake as an alternate source for augmenting the drinking water requirements of the peripheral panchayats of Thiruvananthapuram. Contour mapping upto +3 m MSL of the lake surroundings was carried on. The geomorphology and slope maps of the study area were also prepared. The detailed report was submitted to KWA along with the contour map of the lake periphery.

WATERSHED OF TRIBAL AREAS

The Watershed Studies Project is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, centrally sponsored scheme of the Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, Government of Kerala (GOK). The principal responsibility of implementing the Watershed Studies Project rests with CESS. The other collaborating institutions are the Kerala Agricultural University and the Regional
Engineering College, Calicut. The Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, GOK is both a sponsoring as well as a participating agency. This scheme has been under implementation from 1999 onwards for a period of five years with a total outlay of rupees one crore. The
Watershed Studies Project is primarily envisaged to devise detailed land development programmes and recommendations to improve the standard of living of the tribals in the five southern districts of Kerala viz. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki through enhanced agricultural production. The data generated from various studies associated with the scheme are enormous. The salient achievements made so far are as follows:

1. Settlement maps of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts
were prepared and submitted to the sponsoring agency. This will help to locate the settlements
within watersheds. It also assesses the land base held by the tribal beneficiaries.

2. Social sketch maps of individual tribal settlements of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts were prepared and submitted to the sponsoring agency.

3. Engineering survey to formulate the most urgently needed schemes to aid soil conservation
and to improve the surface as well as the ground water availability in the tribal hamlets for theThiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki district will be completed. Two reports in this regard were submitted to the sponsoring agency, which contain site description, project description, structural drawings and cost estimations.

4. Soil fertility analyses of the samples taken from the district of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta were completed. The cropping pattern as observed in many of the tribal
settlements of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts showed a redominance of rubber (>70% of the area). The rubber has been planted in lieu of the crops like cashew, mango, jack etc., which were both economically viable as well as of nutritive value. The
Rubber Board has been instrumental in transforming most of the areas to rubber. Cost benefit analysis of rubber plantations has shown that at least in the three southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta, the tribals are at a great loss. Hence, it
was recommended that for those settlements that have not yet been brought under rubber cultivation, at least 50% of the area of such settlements should be retained under the existing multiple cropping patterns. In recognition to the studies undertaken jointly by CESS, Kerala Agricultural University and Regional Engineering College, Calicut, in the tribal areas of Kerala, the Government of Kerala have entrusted the appraisal, sanctioning and monitoring of all the soil conservation works to be implemented in the tribal areas of the state to the Project
Coordinator & Principal Investigator, Watershed Studies Project. Further, The GOK have entrusted the task of formulating land development programmes for the Marayoor Resettlement site to an expert committee headed by the Project Coordinator & Principal Investigator of
the Watershed Studies Project, which includes the district level officers of the line departments.

WATERSHED ATLAS OF KANNUR DISTRICT

In order to draw up and implement action plans for the sustainable development of an area covered by a watershed, we need basic information on landform, slope, drainage pattern, geology, soil, land use and land cover. Keeping this in view, CESS prepared a Watershed Atlas of Kannur District, Kerala, in GIS environment. The atlas consists of 10 plates of 1:50,000 scale with thematic maps on landforms, drainage, codified watersheds, slope, geology, soil, soil moisture, general landuse & land cover and administrative boundaries like state, district, blocks and panchayats. Using this, priority areas canbe identified by any user agency, as per their need. There are 9 major watersheds and about 20 minor watersheds in the district. Area of each watershed and its percentage to the total area are given below. Of the rivers, Valapattanam is the largest and Ramapuram is the smallest. All these rivers are perennial only in the down stream areas.

WATERSHED OF TRIBAL AREAS

The Watershed Studies Project is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, centrally sponsored scheme of the Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, Government of Kerala (GOK). The principal responsibility of implementing the Watershed Studies Project rests with CESS. The other collaborating institutions are the Kerala Agricultural University and the Regional
Engineering College, Calicut. The Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, GOK is both a sponsoring as well as a participating agency. This scheme has been under implementation from 1999 onwards for a period of five years with a total outlay of rupees one crore. The
Watershed Studies Project is primarily envisaged to devise detailed land development programmes and recommendations to improve the standard of living of the tribals in the five southern districts of Kerala viz. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki through enhanced agricultural production. The data generated from various studies associated with the scheme are enormous. The salient achievements made so far are as follows:

1. Settlement maps of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts
were prepared and submitted to the sponsoring agency. This will help to locate the settlements
within watersheds. It also assesses the land base held by the tribal beneficiaries.

2. Social sketch maps of individual tribal settlements of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts were prepared and submitted to the sponsoring agency.

3. Engineering survey to formulate the most urgently needed schemes to aid soil conservation
and to improve the surface as well as the ground water availability in the tribal hamlets for theThiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki district will be completed. Two reports in this regard were submitted to the sponsoring agency, which contain site description, project description, structural drawings and cost estimations.

4. Soil fertility analyses of the samples taken from the district of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta were completed. The cropping pattern as observed in many of the tribal
settlements of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts showed a redominance of rubber (>70% of the area). The rubber has been planted in lieu of the crops like cashew, mango, jack etc., which were both economically viable as well as of nutritive value. The
Rubber Board has been instrumental in transforming most of the areas to rubber. Cost benefit analysis of rubber plantations has shown that at least in the three southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta, the tribals are at a great loss. Hence, it
was recommended that for those settlements that have not yet been brought under rubber cultivation, at least 50% of the area of such settlements should be retained under the existing multiple cropping patterns. In recognition to the studies undertaken jointly by CESS, Kerala Agricultural University and Regional Engineering College, Calicut, in the tribal areas of Kerala, the Government of Kerala have entrusted the appraisal, sanctioning and monitoring of all the soil conservation works to be implemented in the tribal areas of the state to the Project
Coordinator & Principal Investigator, Watershed Studies Project. Further, The GOK have entrusted the task of formulating land development programmes for the Marayoor Resettlement site to an expert committee headed by the Project Coordinator & Principal Investigator of
the Watershed Studies Project, which includes the district level officers of the line departments.

WATERSHED ATLAS OF KANNUR DISTRICT

In order to draw up and implement action plans for the sustainable development of an area covered by a watershed, we need basic information on landform, slope, drainage pattern, geology, soil, land use and land cover. Keeping this in view, CESS prepared a Watershed Atlas of Kannur District, Kerala, in GIS environment. The atlas consists of 10 plates of 1:50,000 scale with thematic maps on landforms, drainage, codified watersheds, slope, geology, soil, soil moisture, general landuse & land cover and administrative boundaries like state, district, blocks and panchayats. Using this, priority areas canbe identified by any user agency, as per their need. There are 9 major watersheds and about 20 minor watersheds in the district. Area of each watershed and its percentage to the total area are given below. Of the rivers, Valapattanam is the largest and Ramapuram is the smallest. All these rivers are perennial only in the down stream areas.