We conserve rivers, promote sustainability, and empower forest-dependent communities through research, education and advocacy.
“We all come from the forest; Unto her we shall return, Like a drop of rain... Flowing to the ocean...” — Native American Song
2006
Founded
2002
Roots in Chalakudy
20+ Years
On Chalakudy Puzha
9 Members
Trust Members
River Research Centre (RRC) is a non-profit Public Charitable and Scientific Trust created to open a space for studies on rivers — for river basin people, river-dependent departments, local self-governments, government and all concerned entities — towards participatory and decentralised river conservation, restoration and management.
RRC was registered as a Trust in August 2006. But our activities had started as early as 2002, on an informal basis, on the banks of Chalakudy River.
We believe a river cannot be saved by looking at the river alone. It has to be understood with its catchment, its forests, its people, its livelihoods and its culture. That is why we work at the river basin level.
We view the river basin as the basic geographic, cultural, social and ecological unit for any development.
Most of the present problems related to water scarcity, inequity in sharing natural resources, conflicts over resource use and exploitation of natural resources are due to the lack of a holistic vision of participatory river basin level conservation, development and management.
Understand present river basin management, analyse problems, evolve corrective measures through research-based campaigns and advocacy, intervene at policy level, and help people take the right decisions for long-term sustenance of their river basins.
Promote policies and practices for sustainable river management.
Studies on river health, hydrology and ecology.
Workshops and outreach for communities and children.
Restore rivers to improve water quality and biodiversity.
Our work begins on the riverbank — with children, with communities, with data — and reaches into long-term governance and policy.
Sensitizing the younger generation towards rivers. Kerala's 44 rivers are the lifeline of 30 million people, yet most west-flowing rivers have lost perennial flow.
Reviving Chalakudy Puzha collaboratively. Reversing Kerala's transition from water-abundant to seasonal deficit through multi-stakeholder stewardship.
Born out of the Athirappilly struggles. Supporting indigenous Kadar gram sabhas who obtained Community Forest Rights (CFR) over ~40,000 ha.
Strengthening degraded, eroding riverbanks with people. Restoring indigenous riparian flora to stabilize river corridors against high water flows.
You cannot revive what you have not mapped. Documenting sand mining, encroachment, dumping, and structural alterations that distort river courses.
Groundbreaking ichthyological studies and decentralised watershed planning for state environmental statutory bodies and NABARD.
Looking to volunteer, launch a student study, or partner with us?
Talk to us →Campaigns are how we take the river to the people — to colleges, riverbanks, towns and villages. Not just to talk about the river, but to walk with it, clean it, sing for it, and demand its right to flow.
A two-month statewide campaign from January to March 2019, in memory of our founder Director Dr. Latha Anantha — to sensitize people on the need for our rivers to regain their flows.
Against the 7th dam on Chalakudy River at Athirappilly. To protect waterfalls, forest, and Kadar community's home — some rivers must be left to flow free.
Campaign for protection of Western Ghats — water tower of South India, source of our rivers, one of world's biodiversity hotspots.
With Kerala Forest Department, to make Athirappilly - Vazhachal tourism zone plastic-free — every visitor a caretaker of the river.
After 2018 floods, art workshops for flood-affected children upstream and downstream of Chalakudy, with Artists For Kerala.
Rivers need voices everywhere. Choose how you want to participate in our active movements and awareness drives.
Join river walks, clean-up drives, school exhibitions, and community monitoring programs.
We bring documentary films, interactive exhibitions, and expert river sessions to your campus or local group.
Amplify campaign initiatives, share your local river’s story, and mobilize your community network.
Ready to bring a campaign to your neighborhood or take the next step?
Have questions, proposals, or want to contribute to the river conservation effort? Reach out to us directly.
River Research Centre
Karthika, Manalattil, Ollur PO,
Thrissur 680306, Kerala