Challenges Faced by Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation in Kuttanad

Abstract

This article critically examines the complex environmental and agricultural challenges facing Kuttanad, the unique below-sea-level farming region situated in the basin of the Vembanad Lake system. Historically, Kuttanad employed an indigenous, nature-aligned farming model that integrated rice cultivation with seasonal tidal flows, riverine silt deposition, and rich biodiversity. However, major post-1950s interventions, particularly the construction of the Thottappally Spillway and the Thanneermukkom Bund (TB Bund), were implemented based on the mistaken belief that monsoon floods and summer salinity were the primary problems. These projects, driven by a national agenda favoring chemical-intensive Green Revolution practices, destroyed the delicate ecological balance. The resulting environmental degradation includes increased soil acidity, water pollution, a collapse in native fisheries (including the Prawn and Cockle populations), and a significant decline in rice cultivation acreage and profitability. The article concludes by endorsing the recommendations of the Dr. Swaminathan Package, asserting that only comprehensive ecological restoration, respecting Kuttanad's status as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), can protect the region's culture, economy, and unique biodiversity.