canals with historical significance become focal point as Kochi, India works to mitigate consequences of climate change

In the heart of Kochi, a city known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea," a new initiative is underway to revive its stagnant waterways. Led by the local authorities of Kochi, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the project aims to restore the Thevara-Perandoor Canal, which runs through the city's central business district and residential areas.

The Thevara-Perandoor Canal once held enough fish to provide a living for fishers and was wide enough for small traditional boats known as vanchis to transport materials across the city. However, over the years, buildings and bridges have encroached on the waterways, obstructing their flow and leading to their gradual decay.

Climate change is increasing the risk of major flooding in Kochi, which has about 600,000 residents. The decaying waterways, now filled with invasive plants and mosquitoes, have replaced the once thriving fish and birds that once called them home. Untreated waste has polluted the increasingly stagnant waters, adding to the city's pollution and waste issues.

The project, part of UNEP's Generation Restoration Cities initiative, uses a new spatial planning tool to help cities expand nature-based solutions. The first focus of the restoration drive is the Thevara-Perandoor Canal, which was once a source of clean, flowing water used for cooking and washing.

Project staff are incorporating feedback gathered from consultations into an implementation plan, which they aim to present to key stakeholders and potential investors. There is a growing public support for rejuvenating the canal, with many hoping to see the return of the clean, flowing water that was once a vital part of Kochi's daily life.

The restoration of the Thevara-Perandoor Canal is not just about improving the city's environment and combating climate change. It is also about reviving a vital part of Kochi's history and culture, and creating a more sustainable and livable city for its residents. The project is a testament to the power of partnership and the potential for nature-based solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our cities today.

canals with historical significance become focal point as Kochi, India works to mitigate consequences of climate change