The Water Mission Palakkad Launch & World Water Day Celebrations was organized by Friends of Bharathapuzha as a follow-up to the water conference held on 29 May 2024 at Ahalya Campus, Palakkad. The full-day event, held from 10 am to 5 pm, brought together experts, policymakers, and citizens under one roof to chart a roadmap for solving Palakkad’s long-standing water scarcity challenges.

The event was formally inaugurated by Palakkad District Collector Priyanka G. IAS, lending strong government backing to the mission from the very outset. Dr. E. Sreedharan, President of Friends of Bharathapuzha, was appointed as the Water Mission Director, leading the charge for this ambitious district-wide water initiative.

The gathering was further honored by the presence of Sri. V.K. Sreekandan (MP, Palakkad) and Sri. Rahul Mamkootathil (MLA, Palakkad) as Guests of Honour, along with Smt. Binumol K., President of the District Panchayath Palakkad, as Special Guest — reflecting broad political and administrative support for the cause.

Throughout the day, domain experts delivered presentations on various aspects of water conservation, management, and policy. These were followed by in-depth discussions and collaborative idea-building sessions, laying the foundation for actionable plans under the Jala Mission Palakkad 2030 framework.

The mission envisions sweeping, meaningful change across Palakkad district within five years, driven by a powerful combination of public participation and government cooperation. Palakkad — once celebrated for its abundance of ponds and traditional water bodies — today struggles with depleted groundwater, river pollution, unregulated check dams, and rural communities fighting for access to safe drinking water. This mission aims to reverse that trajectory and restore water security to every corner of the district.