07 Sep 2008
10:12 pm IST

In 1970s, Kerala had 8 lakh (800,000) hectares of paddy cultivation. By September 2007 it had come down to 2.76 lakh (276,000) hectares. State government is finally starting to do something about this and possibly help reverse the trend if not prevent further decline. Environmental groups are welcoming government steps.

Significant reason for this rapid shrinking of wetlands is unabated real estate development in the region. Conversion of wet lands into construction lands had left the state dependent on imported rice from other states and also from far away countries like Vietnam, which is available ex-stock from Cochin harbor at about Rs.7 a kg.

In a smaller way this could be a blessing in disguise. Paddy cultivation is one of the major contributors of global warming. Methane gas produced by the cultivation process fuels climate change. If people turn away from rice towards other grains it could save enormous amount of embodied energy and water. If that happens, would environmentalists complain?

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Be the change,
k.m.e.
"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history. Gandhiji."