KFRI for bio-restoration of riverbanks with local species
The Hindu
Manual says method can replace traditional structures
The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Peechi, has come out with a manual on riverbank protection, recommending a three-tier system giving importance to indigenous species of trees and grass in the wake of the damage caused by the floods of 2018 and 2019 and the extreme climate change phenomena like heavy rain in the State.
Riverbanks are ecologically fragile systems, which faced serious threat from human activities as well as natural phenomena like heavy rain. Protection of the riverbanks is important to ensure the stability of the water course and make the banks more productive. Stable riverbanks also have a positive impact on socio-economic activities as well as conservation of biodiversity, according to the manual.
A bio-restoration programme using indigenous trees and grass could replace the traditional engineering structures and techniques that were now being re-evaluated for their effectiveness and impact on the environment, said Syam Viswanath, director, KFRI. S. Sandeep, V.B. Sreekumar, M.S. Sanil and R. Vishunu are the other scientists involved in the development of the manual.