The GEP's "Remoulding Kerala" international consortium of scientists and researchers is deeply saddened by the reoccurrence of floods in Kerala in 2019 after the devastating floods in 2018.
"Unfortunately, these incidents will recur until the root cause of the problem is addressed. Unsustainable development, especially imbalanced use of land in Kerala, contributes to the impact of the heavy rains," said Remoulding Kerala Project Coordinator Dr. Christophe Dumas.
Last year, the floods were devastating in the urban areas primarily beacuse of heavy rains and dam management. But this year, Kerala saw many landslides--more than 80 in 2 days. This is the effect of the devastation of the hills, Dr. Dumas said.
"When you remove the natural foundation by carving out hills for mines or roads, and when you destroy the natural vegetation and deep root systems which holds the soil into place, you are unknowingly creating a huge risk for the very people whose lives you say you want to improve."
Remoulding Kerala has created a Sustainable State Model calling for incremental changes in land use patterns, based on applications of the I-Theory. The I-Theory distinguishes itself because it identifies the quality as well as quantity of energy, and when applied, creates qualitative balance at the foundational level.
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