The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has come up with a major project to revive the Periyar river — the lifeline of Kochi, which has been plagued with multiple issues, including rampant pollution and decreasing water level for the last several decades.
Titled ‘Periyar Valley Eco-Restoration Tourism Development Project’, GCDA plans to implement the project under the category of its sustainable development projects, and the authority has already initiated the primary level discussions regarding the project with various departments, including tourism, irrigation, forest and environment.
Even though Periyar is one of the six rivers across the country covered under the National River Conservation Plan, with the state and Central government announcing several conservation projects for the river, none has taken off yet.
For Kochi residents, the river is essential, as the entire city depends on it for drinking water. The authority plans to collaborate with Green Kerala Mission to implement the project.
