A national workshop held at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) at Peechi, in connection with World Water Day recently, observed that the scarcity of water will be the major challenge that will be faced by the country in the coming years.
The workshop on the topic ‘Forests for Water: For prosperity and peace’ had experts from various fields present papers.
The Himalayas, Western Ghats as well as the country’s coastal belt will be hugely affected by climate change. This will lead to shortage of water and increase in heat. Climate change will also affect the ecosystem of the forest areas, observed the workshop.
Though the total availability of rains has not decreased in Kerala, there is decline in the number of rainy days. This has reduced the water level in the rivers and wells.
Rain deficit
The State government is taking serious steps to overcome the challenge, noted the experts who spoke at the workshop.
Studies have also observed that the availability of water has reduced in the forests. There are efforts to make small ponds in the forests. Comparatively better water availability in Kerala’s forests is attracting wild animals from neighbouring states. This also contributes to the increasing man-animal conflict, they observed.
Tamil Nadu former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. N. Krishnakumar inaugurated the workshop.
