The Hindu Business Line : Call to protect Vembanad-Kole wetlands

THE Government should take urgent steps to procure and declare representative parts of the Vembanad-Kole wetland complex, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the State, as a protected area taking into account its uniqueness and importance as well as the threats being faced by the complex.

Mr Nameer P.O., Department of Wildlife Sciences, Kerala Agriculture University, pointed out in a paper that the reclamation of wetland and change in land use pattern were creating more serious problems to the complex facing extinction of rare migratory birds. Although Kerala has 14 protected areas, it did not have a sanctuary that conserves the wetland habitat, he said.

The Kole wetlands covering an area of 13,632 hectares are spread over Thrissur and Malappuram districts extending from the northern bank of Chalakkudy River in the south to the southern bank of Bharathapuzha. Likewise, Vembanad Lake is spread over Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts covering an area of 79,400 hectars.

The Vembanad-Kole wetland complex is a valuable ecosystem from ecological, environmental, biodiversity and socio-economic point of view and in spite of the international recognition recently attained by it, the complex is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the State.

Mr Nameer also said that paddy fields are being converted to coconut, areca nut, banana and other cash crop plantations at an alarming rate. The marshes are being developed and new constructions are cropping up.

At many places the wetland has been converted to brick-kilns. Moreover, the indiscriminate use of pesticides has been found to affect the migrant bird population, which visits the wetlands from September to April every year. The pesticides were also found used to poison and capture birds for their meat.

Wetlands have been recognised worldwide as extremely important biographic zones and the Vembanad-Kole complex is the second largest wetland in the country after Chilka Lake in Orissa in terms of the number of birds dependent on it. It is revealed that the complex has been supporting nearly a lakh birds. Apart from this, the complex is home to thousands of migratory waterfowl that come from far away places even crossing the international borders.

Apart from the ornithological investigations, a socio-economic survey was conducted on Kole in 1998. A sample population of the people living in and around the Kole wetlands was surveyed.

The people surveyed were under four occupational categories such as agriculture, fisheries, poultry and animal husbandry. Sample population of 500 people, involved in various occupations, were also surveyed.

The survey was intended to find out the extent of dependence of people on Kole. It was revealed that agriculture is the major occupation of the people. It is estimated that from one hectare, one farmer earns Rs 20,663 and the land generates 160 man days of employment annually.

The fishery activity is carried out throughout the year and it is estimated that 500 persons are directly involved in fishery activities.

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