Kerala paddy fields conservation

Introduction

Kerala's paddy fields are facing a significant decline due to crop shifts, housing and commercial growth, developmental needs, and a speculative land market. The state had 8.82 lakh hectares of paddy fields during 1974-75, which reduced to 1.76 lakh ha in 2024-25, a drop of 80%.

Despite the enactment of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act (KCPWA) in 2008, the decline continues. The law was meant to protect Kerala's paddy fields, but it is gradually becoming an instrument facilitating its decline.

History of Paddy Field Conservation in Kerala

The KCPWA was enacted in 2008 to conserve and protect the paddy fields and wetlands in Kerala. The law aimed to regulate the conversion of paddy fields for non-agricultural purposes and to ensure that the ecological balance of the state was maintained.

Legal Dilution

The structural and procedural modifications to KCPWA demonstrate how even a strong conservation law can be diluted. The Kerala Finance (No.2) Act, 2015, amended the KCPWA by adding Section 3A, which regularised unauthorised paddy field conversions prior to 2008 upon the payment of a nominal fee.

This contravened the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) circulars of 2008 and 2011, which set 1998 as the cut-off year for implementing the conservation norms, thereby legitimising the reclamations between 1998 and 2008.

Administrative Failure

Although the KCPWA mandates the development of a verifiable databank of paddy fields, the process remains incomplete. Consequently, no reliable data source exists to verify the land status in many districts.

This blatant administrative failure has become a legal loophole, as the KCPWA (Amendment) 2018 and successive revenue circulars are facilitating the conversion of a larger extent of unnotified land (paddy fields in revenue records but not included in the databank) for residential, commercial, or other purposes.

Soil Tests

Soil tests in Kuttanad paddy fields, Kerala's rice bowl, show aluminium levels 39 to 165 times above safe limits. Analysis shows concentrations between 77.51 and 334.10 ppm, primarily linked to increasing soil acidity that threatens crop health and the livelihoods of local farmers.

Call for Urgent Government Intervention

Neglecting paddy fields as a socio-ecological system that regulates local biodiversity, the hydrological cycle, and microclimate constitutes a grave failure, amid rising food insecurity and floods.

Given that the KCPWA is a progressive statute, political and administrative goodwill is needed to achieve its conservation goals. Completion of a verifiable wetland-paddy databank, strict monitoring, and ecologically informed conversion penalties are a few of the immediate steps that can be taken.

• Completion of a verifiable wetland-paddy databank
• Strict monitoring
• Ecologically informed conversion penalties

Expert Perspective

According to experts, the decline of paddy fields in Kerala is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. The government needs to take a proactive role in conserving and protecting the paddy fields, and the public needs to be aware of the importance of these ecosystems.

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Implications for Readers in India

The decline of paddy fields in Kerala has significant implications for readers in India. The loss of these ecosystems can lead to food insecurity, increased risk of floods, and decreased biodiversity. It is essential for readers to be aware of the importance of paddy fields and to support conservation efforts.

What to Watch Next

The Kerala government has announced plans to review the KCPWA and to take steps to conserve and protect the paddy fields. Readers can expect to see updates on the progress of these efforts and can support conservation initiatives by spreading awareness and advocating for policy changes.

Timeline of Events

1974-75: Kerala had 8.82 lakh hectares of paddy fields.

2008: The Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act (KCPWA) was enacted.

2015: The Kerala Finance (No.2) Act amended the KCPWA by adding Section 3A.

2016: A State notification removed Section 3A without reference to the regularisation cases during the amendment period.

2017: The LSGD withdrew its 2008 and 2011 circulars.

2018: The KCPWA (Amendment) was passed.

Background

Kerala's paddy fields are not only a source of food and income for farmers but also play a crucial role in maintaining the state's ecological balance. The paddy fields help to regulate the hydrological cycle, prevent floods, and maintain biodiversity.

The decline of paddy fields in Kerala is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. The government needs to take a proactive role in conserving and protecting the paddy fields, and the public needs to be aware of the importance of these ecosystems.