In her book, Josna Philip draws attention to the deteriorating condition of the Vembanad Lake ecosystem, particularly due to unregulated tourism and increasing pollution levels. One of the key concerns highlighted is the rapid expansion of houseboat operations beyond sustainable limits, resulting in continuous discharge of greywater, diesel residues, and emissions into the water. According to Josna Philip, this unchecked growth has placed significant pressure on the lake’s natural balance.
Supporting her observations, water quality indicators reveal a worrying trend. Studies referenced by Author Josna Philip show Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels reaching around 674.9 mg/L, exceeding the desirable limit of 500 mg/L, while electrical conductivity readings of approximately 1170 µS/cm indicate a high concentration of dissolved pollutants. Fluoride levels have also been recorded at about 1.44 mg/L, nearing the maximum permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L. Although these values may still fall within acceptable standards, Josna Philip emphasizes that they signal a system operating dangerously close to critical thresholds, with potential long-term implications for both environmental sustainability and public health.
Beyond numerical indicators, Author Josna Philip also highlights visible environmental concerns. In several canal regions, including areas like Vadai Canal, untreated sewage discharge continues to affect water quality, leading to stagnant water, foul odors, and declining living conditions for local communities. She notes that these issues reflect deeper gaps in infrastructure and governance, particularly in regions closely connected to water networks.
Figure 2 Book Cover : Green Waters
The book further explores structural challenges such as declining water depth in key tourism zones and the accumulation of pollutants from multiple river inflows, including agricultural runoff and industrial waste. According to Josna Philip, these combined factors are gradually transforming the backwaters into a semi-enclosed system where contaminants accumulate over time, reducing the ecosystem’s ability to recover naturally.
At the same time, Josna Philip adopts a balanced perspective by acknowledging the economic realities faced by those dependent on tourism. She points out that while transitioning to sustainable alternatives such as solar-powered houseboats is necessary, it requires financial support and policy intervention to make it viable for operators.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Author Josna Philip maintains that the crisis is still reversible. Through Green Waters, she advocates for practical solutions including enforcing sustainable limits on tourism activities, strengthening sewage treatment infrastructure, introducing real-time monitoring systems, and promoting eco-friendly technologies.
The release of Green Waters by Union Minister Suresh Gopi, along with messages from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, marks an important step in bringing these environmental concerns into wider public and policy attention. For Author Josna Philip, this moment represents not just recognition, but an opportunity to influence meaningful change in how Kerala approaches sustainable tourism and ecological preservation.
About the Author – Josna Philip
Josna Philip is an author, social researcher, and environmental policy advocate focusing on sustainable development, ecological conservation, and governance systems.
Website : https://josnaphilip.org/
