Now Let Me Flow: Mapping and Protection of Streams

The project, aims to map various streams originating from Kerala’s highlands, to identify the obstructions in the natural flow of stream, which can be increasingly vulnerable to natural hazards due to climate change. This mapping initiative is part of the Navakeralam Action Plan-2 by Government of Kerala, which seeks to rejuvenate Kerala’s rivers by learning from the devastating 2018 floods that severely impacted the state. Kerala experienced its worst flood in nearly a century in 2018, accompanied by widespread landslides, predominantly in the highland areas.The project covering 230 Grama Panchayats across nine districts of State Kerala in India, specifically targeting the Western Ghats region.This initiative is a collaborative effort led by the Haritha Keralam Mission (HKM) with technical support from the International Centre for Free and Open Source Solutions (ICFOSS).The project comprises four distinct phases. Phase 1 involves identifying potential stream areas using Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and aerial images to create an initial stream map with Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms. Phase 2 includes field validation, Phase 3 employs social auditing to raise project awareness and gather community feedback on stream conditions. Phase 4 mainly focuses on stream rejuvenation. The project’s outreach extends beyond Kerala, offering a replicable model for regions facing similar hazards. It integrates open-source technology and community engagement to address stream disturbances and promote open-source geospatial tools for tackling environmental challenges.