Apartment Boom and Groundwater Crisis in Kerala: The Case of Kozhikode City Corporation

Dr. Rose Mary George

Volume : VI, Issue : V, May - 2016

Apartment Boom and Groundwater Crisis in Kerala: The Case of Kozhikode City Corporation

Dr. Rose Mary George

Abstract :

Apartment boom associated with urbanisation is not an odd phenomenon in Kerala. House construction activities in Kerala show an increasing trend since mid–seventies. Environmental impact of such disproportionate increase is an area which can be enquired into. Groundwater crisis is one among such environmental issues which emerge out of the bewildering number of flats and high rise buildings in Kerala. Groundwater is being used by such constructions through wells/bore wells and continues its dependency over the same groundwater aquifer, resulting into its deterioration. In this background, this paper attempts to highlight the groundwater crisis in Kozhikode City Corporation based on a case–study. The paper also looks into the legal nuances of groundwater appropriation in Kerala; the legislation and controlling mechanism.