About Us
Global "Gurukul" of River Science
The Centre for Periyar River Basin Management Studies (cPeriyar) at NIT Calicut was established by the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), Ministry of Jal Shakthi, Government of India on 28th February 2024. The Centre aims to address major challenges facing the Periyar River in the State of Kerala and its drainage basin. The mandate of cPeriyar is to collate and gather knowledge for preparing and evolving a River Basin Management Plan for the river that includes action plans with specific projects to be taken up and their relative priorities, policy interventions and management actions along with its financial implications. The main objective of integrated river basin management of the Periyar River is to restore and maintain the wholesomeness of the river and improve its ecological health with due regard to resolution of conflicting interests from the perspective of water use. The Centre also aims to provide technical guidance to the Stakeholders in activities targeting comprehensive rejuvenation of the river and maintenance of biodiversity in the river and its drainage basin. The consortium institutes are NIT Calicut and IIT Palakkad. The activities of the Centre are mentored by the Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) at IIT Kanpur.
Prospectus
The Centre for Periyar River Basin Management Studies at NIT Calicut aims to address major challenges facing the Periyar River in the State of Kerala and its drainage basin. The establishment of the Centre was declared at an official function held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on the 28th of February 2024. A Memorandum of Agreement for this purpose was signed during this function between the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) at IIT Kanpur, and a consortium comprising of NIT Calicut and IIT Palakkad. The main objective of integrated river basin management of the Periyar River is to restore and maintain the wholesomeness of the river and improve its ecological health with due regard to resolution of conflicting interests from the perspective of water use.
Charter
The charter at the Periyar River Basin Management Studies at NIT Calicut outlines the core responsibilities and objectives of the Consortium of Institutes. These include:
• Preparing an Integrated River Basin Management Plan for the Periyar River in the State of Kerala (PRBMP)
• Developing action plans integrating hydrologic, environmental, socio-economic, and operational considerations to restore and maintain the wholesomeness of the river and improve its ecological health and promoting inter-sectoral coordination to ensure effective implementation of these plans.
• Facilitating stakeholder engagement.
Vision
Our vision at the Centre for Periyar River Basin Management Studies at NIT Calicut is to work towards restoration of the wholesomeness of the Periyar River in the State of Kerala and its ecological health by promoting sustainable utilization and management of water and other resources in the river basin. Our activities would be guided by the five pillars of good river basin management, namely, maintaining continuous flow (Aviral Dhara), ensuring no pollution (Nirmal Dhara), longitudinal and lateral connectivity, adequate space for all vital functions of a river, and functioning of the river as an ecological entity. Periyar River Basin Management Studies at NIT Calicut.
