The Centre for Environment and Law, National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi organised a one-day National seminar on WATER LAW AND POLICY IN INDIA on 9th October 2014. Hon’ble Mr. Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair, Chairman, Kerala Dam Safety Authority inaugurated the seminar in a function here at NUALS at 10 AM. The judge highlighted the inadequacy of the present laws stressing on the need to frame synchronised laws with proper economic policy. Also, the judge expressed his views on the Mullaperiyar issue and the interlinking of rivers. Eminent dignitaries like Dr. R.V.G. Menon, Former Principal, Govt.College of Engineering, Kannur, Dr. V.S.Sebastian, Dean, Faculty of Law, CUSAT, Prof.(Dr).M.C.Valson, Director, CEL, NUALS, Sri. D.Raveendrakumar, Co-Director, CEL, NUALS addressed the gathering. Delivering the presidential address, Prof.(Dr.) M.C.Valson pointed out that water issues though important were largely ignored. Further, on the Mullaperiyar issue, he opined that the situation calls for analysis of historical and social aspects of the matter. This was followed by the felicitation address by Dr. V.S.Sebastian, who stressed on the need to make optimum use of water as a natural resource through practice of viable laws. Later, Dr.R.V.G.Menon, in his felicitation address took note of the complex link between engineering interventions and natural systems. It was also pointed out that the policies should be clear as to the prioritisation of the demands of stakeholders.
The Seminar was divided into three sessions. The first session on ‘Water Law and Policy in India’ was presided by Dr.Balakrishnan K., Associate Professor, NUALS. Eminent luminaries like Adv. Sunilkumar(Jananeethi, Trichur), Sri. Mahesh Menon,(Asst. Professor, NUJS) spoke during the session. The Second session presided by Sri. Mahesh Menon was about ‘Dams: Temples of Modern India or Tombs of Human Rights’. The presence of renowned panellists like Adv. Harish Vasudevan,(Advocate, High Court of Kerala.) Adv. Shyama Kuriakose, (Associate, Enviro-Legal Defence Firm (ELDF)) highlighted the session. The third and final session was on ‘Interstate Water Disputes: Issues and Controversies’ with Special Reference to Mullaperiar Dam Controversy. The session was presided by NUALS professor, Dr. V.R. Jayadevan. The famous environmentalist, Sri. C.R.Neelakantan spoke during the session.