The team of environmentalists pointed out the loss of several life supporting systems in the state - over 5 lakh hectares of paddy fields disappeared in the state between 1975 and 2012, over 6 lakh hectares of wetlands between 2004 and 2011, and over 20,000 hectares of riverine ecosystem between 2004 and 2011.

The destruction of such ecosystems affects the water cycle and water availability.

The state, where over 60 per cent of households depended on well water, is now threatened by the rampant and often illegal use of borewells, often for development projects, they said.

Besides, whatever is left of the water resources, both underground and surface water, is getting polluted because of a number of reasons, a major one of which is indiscriminate sand mining.

‘’And while the water-availability in the state is going down day by day because of unscientific practices, we are pained to see the indifference shown by the government.

We are apprehensive of the move to amend the paddy land and wetland protection laws just as we are about the privatisation of water. Wherever water has been privatised, the prices have risen uncontrollably and the poor have been denied water,’’ the memorandum pointed out.

The signatories to the memorandum prepared by the Kerala Paristhithi Aikyavedi include Sugathakumari, M K Prasad, C R Neelakantan, V S Vijayan, R V G Menon, R Sridhar, A Latha, Harish Vasudevan, S Usha and Mullakkara Ratnakaran MLA.

The key demands raised

The memorandum was drafted based on the discussions held on the World Water Day, organised by the Kerala Paristhithi Aikyavedi, in the capital city. Some of the key points raised include:

The right to mine, stock and sell sand should be with the State Government alone. The mining in rivers that have shriveled should be immediately stopped. No private agency or individual should be given the right to mine sand from rivers or lakes.

Catchment areas of rivers and river banks should be protected with community participation.

Connections for new borewells should be given only after a comprehensive study is done on the water table and illegal borewells should be strictly prevented.

Measures should be taken to raise groundwater levels, with people’s participation. Awareness should be created on the disadvantages of concreting the courtyards.

Give up plans to construct airports over wetlands and paddylands in Aranmula, Anakkara and Chekkalloor.

Withdraw notification to privatise water and instead strengthen water authority.

Close down all illegal quarries.

Revive agriculture in fallow lands as a government initiative and on a war-footing.

Create wetland registry for the state and the conservation of wetlands should be with the respective panchayats.