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ABSTRACT
Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala is the premier training institute for officers of Indian Navy and Indian
Coast Guard. It is situated on the Malabar coastal belt in Kannur district of Kerala. Despite receiving long
term annual average rainfall of 496 cm and a catchment area of approx 2500 acres, INA is dependent on
Kerala Water Authority for its present potable as well as training water requirements of 2.50 MLD. No
rain water harvesting scheme has been devised for INA though it has potential to fulfill all of its water
requirements through rain water harvesting. The catchment area of INA can be defined into seven micro
watersheds with each of them supporting a specific set of rain water harvesting methodologies. These
micro watersheds have different geomorphology; from sandy beaches at sea level to lush evergreen
lateritic hills at 250 m above sea level, all within a distance of 500 m to 1000 m. This steep slope coupled
with hydraulic conductivity of the top layer (lateritic deposits or sandy/silty soil) in the range of 1 x 10 -4
cm/s to 1 x 10-5 cm/s results into quick surface as well as sub-surface flow of almost all rainfall into the
sea. The development of infrastructure at INA by cutting hill slopes along contours has also resulted into
quicker surface as well as sub-surface flow. Such adverse conditions for rain water harvesting demands
application of indigenous knowledge as well as latest technologies. This twin approach and the fact that
INA has its own land requirement for infrastructure development lead us to philosophy of rain water
harvesting through reducing and trapping sub-surface flow in the highly conductive lateritic and sandy-
silty top layer of lands. Contour bunds, reservoir, small dams and sub-surface barrier are the major
methodology to trap the rain water. The common methods of rain water harvesting like roof top
harvesting and ground water recharge are not amenable here. The main method to extract this harvested
water through open dug wells is also defined by the high hydraulic conductivity. These open dug wells
will need to be interconnected and a separate water supply scheme to be developed for each of the water
sheds. The result of such sustainable resource utilization will be befitting to an institute aspiring to be a
role model in the world.
Period Qty
Upto Oct 11 2.50 MLD
Mar 11-Feb 12 2.30 MLD
Mar 12 2.00 to 9.00 MLD
Apr 12 09.00 to 1.5 MLD
From open wells 0.20 MLD
Quantum of rainfall on one hand and the Arabian Sea facing it, Ezhimala is still facing the ancient
mariners dilemma; water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.
In such a background the author got bemused to realize that apart from pre-INA dug wells not a
single drop of this precious resource has been planned to be used through rain water harvesting. In the
next two years at INA the author studied the rain water pattern, geomorphology and the indigenous pre-
INA rain water harvesting methodologies through dated and dilapidated structures. A lot of help came
from the fact that the construction of boundary wall along the periphery of INA took the author to every
nook of INA; from sandy beaches and marsh lands to lateritic hill tops, from dense and prickly rainforests
to deep and dark valleys. However as no budget for study and research existed, the author convinced
authorities to rope in CGWB Thiruvananthapuram to help and guide in finding out the right approach for
rain water harvesting at INA. This paper deals with the groundwork carried out in those two years
alongwith new methodologies in finding the right approach for rain water harvesting at INA without
compromising its training schedule and infrastructure; both present and future. It will be seen that
rainwater harvesting could make INA self reliant in its water requirements in a sustainable way.
2. THE WATER BUDGET OF INA: At Ezhimala rainy season lasts for 04-06 months. South-
west monsoon lashes Ezhimala from June till September. The retreating monsoon also brings rainfall
during October and November. At many occasions it has stretched till the month of December. Few spells
of rainfall also occurs during Jan-May due to Western disturbances. This year long cycle of rain has
provided Ezhimala will long term annual average rainfall of approx 500 cm (In contrast for Delhi it is
only 80 cm).
Table 2: Monthly rainfall (mm) in Ezhimala
YEAR JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY TOTAL
2010-11
1116.2 1226.5 1126.4 481.8 186.4 216.2 101.1 37.6 4.9 21.8 22.0 131.6 4672.5
Normal
2012-13
797.5 989.8 699.8 411.3 139.8 162.1 75.8 0 0 6.3 0 17.5 3299.9
Deficient
Spread over the year and with expanse of approx 2500 acre the rain water availability for a normal
year can be calculated as:
This is a huge amount of water, approximately 25 times the KLP water requirements of INA.
Even in the rainfall deficient year the rain water availability is:
Thus in a rainfall deficient year also it is more than 18 times the requirements. However all of this
cannot be harvested due to geomorphic, geological and meteorological parameters. The land use pattern
also reduces its harvesting capabilities. As the data for these parameters are not available; an
approximation can be made for such geomorphology and meteorological conditions. If the annual
evaporation/potential evaporation losses and runoff losses could be taken as 1500 mm and 950 mm
respectively, water available for harvesting in a typical deficient year will be (3299.90 1500 950) mm
i.e., 849.90 mm. Therefore water available for harvesting will be:
Event this qty is more than four times the KLP requirement. It is therefore established that
Ezhimala has full potential for sustainable development of independent water resources. Moreover the
surface runoff will be minimized post implementation of rain water harvesting schemes.
4. THE METHODOLOGIES: As already brought out rain water harvesting at Ezhimala has to be
planned along the different micro watersheds. These watersheds have been identified based on
geomorphology and thereafter suitable methodologies have been proposed based on geomorphology,
hydrogeology and land use pattern.
Sketch 1: Watershed at INA Ezhimala
Watershed I: The geomorphology of Watershed I has been highly altered both during
pre-INA period as well as post-INA period. The hill slope has been highly altered by terrace cutting and
construction of buildings. The present central undulating land of this Watershed has been reclaimed by
filling up pre-INA stone quarries with debris (lateritic and crystalline rock/boulders) from terrace cutting.
Moreover this Watershed also receives the outflow from watershed II. The outflow from this area leaves
INA perimeters and re-enters in Watershed II after draining part of Ramanthali Grampanchayat. The
vegetation cover has also been altered on the central undulating land and is least among all Watersheds.
The water from the slopes collects into the level land through a drainage system developed along natural
drainage pattern. The base rock underneath the top layer is highly fractured due to quarrying activities
during pre-INA period and the filled up debris is loose/unconsolidated being recent leading to quick loss
of water received to seepage.
(a) Water level on 15th Jun 2012 (b) Water level on 18th Jun 2012 post rainfall (c) Water level on 26th Jun 2012
A part of this Watershed has already been covered by infrastructure and being comparatively flat,
future expansion will cover a large part of the balance area. A detailed soil exploration is required in this
area to dig a series of open wells. To achieve the maximum exploration of sub-surface flow through dug
wells a semi pervious barrier must exist in the soil profile. This semi-pervious barrier can either be clayey
soil, sheet pile or brick/stone wall with hydraulic conductivity of the range 1x10-6 cm/s to 1x10-8 cm/s.
Sketch 2: Sub Surface Barrier
This will extend the sub-surface flow till dry period and
Clayey
water can be extract both on u/s and d/s side. Although the
SSB
Latertic lateritic deposit in this Watershed has layers of clayey soil
and contain clay to the extent of 5-15% the hydraulic
connectivity is in the range of 1x10 -4 cm/s to 1x10-5 cm/s.
Stone Quarry Moreover in the fractured crystalline rocks the hydraulic
conductivity is much more.
Localised Clayey The practical approach therefore in this watershed is
Layer identification of soil profile through soil exploration along
contours devoid of existing and planned infrastructure and
creating series of clayey sub-surface barrier (SSB) encompassing the upstream area. It would be prudent
to avoid the zone of fractured crystalline rock and construct SSB beyond it.
The delayed sub-surface flow then can be extracted through series of dug wells along the SSBs.
Watershed II:It consists of sandy-salty deposits along backwaters and backwaters it self. There
are some outcrops of lateritic deposits in continuation of watershed I. These outcrops are dotted with
open dug wells and small ponds the water of which is potable. The ultimate route of all the water from
Watershed IV, VI and VII to sea is through this Watershed only. Moreover this Watershed has been
partially altered by deposits of dredged sand from backwaters. In future growth also INA plan to use this
watershed extensively. This watershed can be avoided for rain water harvesting, although some open
wells can be dug in addition to old ones for localized use.
Watershed III: This watershed is least affected by human interaction apart from recently
constructed perimeter road. Moreover the geomorphology of this Watershed is the most promising of all
seven watersheds as every drop of rainfall can be conserved and harvested. The geomorphology of this
watershed comprises of hills topped with lateritic layer and valley topped with territory alluvium rich in
organic matters. The vegetation here is dense evergreen forest. The drainage pattern is dendrite and the
valley drains out inside INA in Watershed I. This watershed has many defunct pre-INA lined open wells.
These dug wells are filled up to brim during monsoons but are drained out quickly. During the year 2012-
13 and 2013-14 none of these well had water post February. As we go above, the water level in these
wells drain out quickly.
Graph 1: Depth of Water in Open Wells on Hill This confirms that the lateritic top in these areas has
very high hydraulic conductivity. To delay as well as
trap the surface and sub-surface flow in these higher
Depth of Water (mbgl) in Well @ reaches contour bunds will be most efficient. The
0.00
150 m
1.00 prominence of pre-INA contour bunds; although in
mbgl
2.00 poor state, on the slopes also suggest its time tested
Depth of Water (mbgl) in Well @ applicability. Moreover as the hills are dotted with
3.00
78 m boulders, construction of bunds will require only
4.00
labour. Material as well as transportation cost will be
5.00 nil. As all the flow from the slopes go to the valley,
the construction of SSB is not required on the slope. In addition to the contour bunds an earthen dam at
outlet of the valley is recommended. The philosophy behind this twin approach is to reduce the quantity
and speed of runoff, increase the ground water recharge and delay the sub surface flow.
To increase the efficiency of contour bunds soil strengthening vegetation like Vetiver Grass can be
planted downstream of bunds. Such vegetation is sturdy and have deep roots, thus will hold the top soil
and strengthen the bund system. The ultimate aim will be to delay the runoff and sub-surface flow
towards the valley. Another indirect effect will be reduced height of the earthen dam and thereby lower
depth of submergence.
The valley discharges into watershed I and flows into a natural channel (now lined) beyond the INA
premises through Ramanthali Grampanchayat before meeting the backwaters.
Watershed IV: Watershed IV feature the horse shoe shaped hills facing the sea and an
undulating valley sloping towards the sea. The slopes of the hills are highly altered by terrace cutting for
construction. A drainage system along the road on these terraces carries rain water to a man-made water
body. This is the most favourable area with respect to rain water harvesting where every drop of rainfall
could be directed to the water body. However due to terrace cutting and development of structures there
is little scope for contour bunds and dug wells. Apart from the contour bunds on the higher reaches very
little can be done to induce and delay the sub-surface flow. Thus the only option left is to develop the
man-made water body so as to make it capable of conserving water in the dry season. In the present form
the water body is just a recreational feature which ultimately discharges into Watershed II. The bottom of
the water body is at 5 to 10 m below the surrounding sloping area and thus provides an ample opportunity
to store water. The depth of the water body can also be lowered considerably as it is 30 m above sea-
level. The exposed lateritic surface show a series of clayey layers which corroborates with the fact even
in peak dry season it is able to store approx one m water.
Watershed VI: RWH in Watershed VI is critical as the gathering area is large but scope to
harvest it is minimal. The Watershed comprises hill slopes and a steep V shaped valley. Actually valley
would be misnomer and it is a gorge draining out beyond INA perimeter. These slopes have dense forest
and are least affected by human activities.
An Earthen dam could be constructed in this Watershed; however the height to water storage
capacity will not be beneficial. Thus the methodologies of contour bunds and series of open wells on
slopes as elaborated for Watershed III would only be viable.
Watershed VII: Watershed VI is a mix land type area with elevation ranging from seal level
to highest peak of Ezhimala hills at +250 msl. It has sandy beaches, pre-INA paddy fields, lateritic flat
lands, granitic outcrops and hilly slopes. The highlight of this watershed is twelve pre-INA open wells in
the lateritic flat lands and sandy-silty fields which are perennial. These dug wells have supplied potable
water to INA during emergencies. In fact one of these wells has supplied water for all the construction
activities at INA since inception and even during peak dry weather. The sub-surface flow form upper
reaches keep these wells perennial even during peak dry weather
From rain water harvesting perspective this watershed can be divided into two zones. The upper
reaches where contour bunds can be constructed to reduce surface runoff and delay sub-surface flow. In
addition to this one of the two natural drainage systems in upper reaches can be tapped with small earthen
dam. However, the major work need to be done in the zone from msl till +2m i.e., in lateritic flat lands
and sandy-silty fields. This zone also caught attention of CGWB Thiruvananthapuram team which visited
INA in January 2014 to examine and suggest action plan for rain water harvesting.
Picture 4: Fluidity and Soil Zone in Watershed VII Picture 1: Seepage loss in Watershed I
(a) Water level on 15th Dec 2013 (b) Water level on 19th Jan 2014 (c) Water level on 25th Jan 2014 (no
rainfall)
On observation of water level during different point of time post monsoon in this area and its soil zoning
it can be inferred that the water holding capacity of this area will be on higher side. Moreover the top of
dam should be at least 1.50 mbgl.
5. THE WATER UTILIZATION PLAN: Currently water is received from KWA in a sump and then
pumped to different sump on hills. Water is supplied to different Watersheds under gravity from these
sumps. In the proposed scheme water supply can be decentralized. Water harvested in different
watersheds can be collected, treated and pumped to sumps on hill through an independent system of
sump, treatment plant and pump house. For this a new network of pipeline need to be laid out along with
construction of intake sump from wells/reservoir, plants and sump on hills. Different areas will receive
water from own watershed and surplus and shortage can be equalized among different Watersheds.
However all the water extraction points like, dug wells, filter point well and direct pumping from water
body need to be interconnected in each of the Watersheds for pumping to primary sumps.
6. CONCLUSION: India is going to be a water scarce country by 2025. The sustainable goals of UN
include supply of potable water. In such a world INA being premier training institute for Naval as well as
Coast Guard Officers cant afford to be a symbol of unsustainable use of natural resources. INA has
already seen the havoc rainfall shortage can create and thus cant afford to ill train its cadets due to water
shortage and let the free but precious gift from nature go unutilized. Moreover the water being supplied
by KWA can thus be utilized by civilian population of Kerala. However prior to embarking upon this path
a detailed scientific study of Ezhimala with respect to rain water harvesting need to be taken up and based
on it a rain water harvesting plan be made. The author is confident financial and environmental
evaluation of this proposal with respect to ready to install RO schemes will be in its favour.
INA can be role model in sustainable development of recourses as well as can create goodwill
among its own countrymen.