Wetlands shrinking rapidly in Kerala, fallout can be terrible
1
2
Kochi: Wetlands in Kerala shrank from 2.35 lakh hectares in 1990 to 1.6 lakh ha by 2011, notes S Girija Kumari, head of the University Institute of Technology, Kayamkulam, in the Feb edition of forest department's magazine Aaranyam.
She cited unchecked urbanisation, relentless consumerism and an ever-growing appetite for luxury as the reasons for its rapid depletion. With paddy giving way to commercial crops, wetlands' fabric also altered significantly, the report notes.
Scientists say, as with the new Aranmula project, wetlands will shrink further, sometimes with the dilution of laws.
"Paddy is supposed to be a wetland crop controlling hydrology in an area," said State Wetland Authority (SWA) former member K K Ramachandran.
"Unfortunately, Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules was reissued in 2017 which changed its definition in effect excluding paddy fields from that purview. We don't have a database to gauge the extent of wetlands reclaimed in each timeline. Kerala govt initially decided to classify wetlands of 2.5ha and above.
However, it was found that a large number fall under that classification. But I understand that the govt asked to identify only the largest 40 wetlands.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em São Paulo (consulte o preço)
Alarmes
Undo
The govt is delaying the process of notifying the wetlands' inventory. It seems they are set to notify 20 wetlands first. However, I'm doubtful since SWA is not serious about enforcement of powers," he said.
National Centre for Earth Science Studies ex-scientist K V Thomas said Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act was largely diluted, benefiting both politicians and businessmen mutually. "Earlier, the act allowed reclaiming wetland and paddy fields by a poor family to construct a house.
With the extent of area increased, anyone can reclaim the land. The Act's dilution happened twice in the last eight years.
Similar dilutions happened in the CRZ Act too, where Pokkali fields' definition was removed from it. It resulted in a large wetland network being excluded from the protection of CRZ notification. Wetlands and paddy fields are flood plains. When an ecosystem's continuity is lost through reclamation, flooding — whether downstream/upstream — will be a threat.
Groundwater recharge will be affected and temperature will rise due to construction," warned Thomas.
State Biodiversity Board chairman N Anil Kumar said. "Reclamation of ecologically important places will affect fish breeding grounds. Wetlands attract migratory birds which fly thousands of kilometres for breeding. If there is no healthy system for its breeding, it will further impact their population. The local conversion has a global impact. Ramsar sites are declared for that purpose. It's important to declare more wetlands as Ramsar sites," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Time for art & sports cut as teaching hrs revised to bring in third language
Mumbai: To accommodate the inclusion of a third language in the Class I timetable from this academic year, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has revised and reallocated instructional hours across subjects. This is the first such exercise undertaken in the state since 2017. While the number of hours allotted to the first and second languages as well as mathematics are almost similar to the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), the state has reduced the time allocated for art and physical education and work experience to make room for the third language. The weekly and annual subject-wise instructional hours will now be binding on all schools. The reallocation of instructional hours comes two days after Maharashtra issued a govt resolution (GR) making a three-language policy mandatory for the state board's Marathi and English medium schools from Class I to V. The GR said Hindi will not be a mandatory third language; students can choose any other Indian language, but a teacher will be available only if there are at least 20 students in class, else the language has to be taught online. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O aparelho que os idosos descobriram para aliviar dores nos nervos e formigamento. A arte do herbalismo Undo The duration of each session has also been reduced to 35 minutes in the new guidelines, as opposed to 45 mins followed earlier in the state. But two sessions can be clubbed together to give more time to students for the respective subjects, mentioned the circular issued by SCERT on Thursday. The NCF, on the other hand, recommends 45-60 minutes per session. The council, for the first time, has also recommended a sample timetable that can be followed by primary schools. While the timetable can be modified at school level as per their requirement, the weekly and annual instructional hours cannot be reduced by them, mentioned the circular. According to the guidelines, the first and second language have been allocated 306 and 180 hours annually and the third language will be given a little over 100 hours. The national framework does not recommend a third language at Class I level, and therefore, has no provision. Mahendra Ganpule, former head, Maharashtra School Principals' Association, said they are reducing time given to overall development of students in arts, physical education and work experience to accommodate a third language, which is not even recommended in the NCF. In the time in which two languages are to be taught, they will now be teaching three, he added. SCERT will also soon come out with an academic calendar for Class I, for which a new syllabus has been introduced. "The calendar will provide a chapter-wise teaching schedule for the class to help teachers distribute syllabus evenly across the year and avoid last-minute rushes," said director, SCERT, Rahul Rekhawar. He added the timetable has made provision for additional enrichment periods (AEP), a new initiative, to allow teachers to provide extra guidance to students.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
22 sea-facing buildings on ECR face demolition after CRZ violations flagged
Chennai: As many as 22 beach-facing residential buildings in Muttukadu on East Coast Road (ECR) face the threat of demolition, with the Chengalpattu district administration identifying them as violators of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. The identified buildings—some completed, others still under construction—are located within the No Development Zone (NDZ) of CRZ III, where permanent structures are banned within 200 metres of the High Tide Line. At least six of these were found to be under construction even during the inspection, indicating ongoing activity despite regulatory restrictions. Others are upscale, completed buildings, with some even having two floors, built along the fragile coastal stretch at Muttukadu. These findings were part of an Action Taken Report submitted by Chengalpattu Collector S Arunraj to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which took suo motu cognisance of the matter. The collector's team, comprising revenue and environmental officials, carried out GPS-tagged inspections and submitted photographs and ownership details to the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) to initiate action. The case, heard on Thursday, saw the tribunal's expert member Satyagopal Korlapati ask pointed questions on why no demolition was initiated so far, given that violations were already acknowledged by the administration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The NGT also noted that the District Collector, as chairman of the district coastal zone management authority (DCZMA), was expected to act decisively against such illegal developments. In response, the state coastal zone management authority (SCZMA) informed the bench that it forwarded the list of violators to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, seeking clarification on whether it had the authority to directly carry out demolitions. The NGT is now expected to decide on whether demolition can proceed without waiting for further directions from the Centre. The matter is likely to be taken up in the coming weeks.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shoddy Restoration of Perambur Loco Works and Pedestrian Subway Raises Safety Concerns in Chennai
Chennai: The recently restored pedestrian subway at the Perambur Loco Works railway station has come under criticism from residents' welfare associations (RWAs). They argue that poor construction quality and lack of maintenance have rendered the facility unsafe for public use. The RWAs urged authorities to urgently repair the subway, install proper lighting and drainage, restore access to restrooms, and ensure routine maintenance. The subway, intended to provide a safe crossing under railway tracks, was plagued by structural issues since its completion. However, even after restoration earlier this month, the subway floods during rainy days, floor tiles are damaged or missing, lighting is inadequate, and essential fixtures like stainless steel bollards were either stolen or never installed securely. "Despite the significant funds invested, the subway reflects poor workmanship and a complete lack of oversight. Basic facilities such as lighting, drainage, and sanitation are either absent or dysfunctional," said Raghukumar Choodamani, a member of the Perambur Neighbourhood Development Forum. Residents also raised concerns over the inaccessibility of nearby public restrooms, which remain locked. Garbage accumulation near both entrances of the subway has added to hygiene and safety concerns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "The condition of the subway has forced some commuters to dangerously cross railway tracks due to broken boundary walls—a safety lapse that led to several accidents in the past," added Raghukumar. Repeated complaints and requests for repairs were sent to Southern Railway authorities, but the residents say that responses were limited or delayed. There has been no official statement from railway officials regarding inspection protocols, timelines for repairs, or plans for long-term maintenance. "The pedestrian subway was intended to improve commuter safety at the busy Perambur Loco Works station. However, with the current state of disrepair, residents argue that it has become more of a hazard than a help. We have also called for a thorough audit of the work done and accountability for lapses in safety standards," said Srinivasan, another resident of Perambur. Despite multiple attempts by TOI, the Southern Railway officials were unavailable for comment.
