The Pokkali Conservation Committee has alleged that despite the Kerala High Court’s assurance to draw water from the Maruvakkad Pokkali rice fields, the water level has risen causing damage to standing crops. A statement issued by the committee working to preserve traditional rice cultivation in the coastal areas of the state said that nearly five weeks old rice plants were damaged due to high water level.
There are about 420 acres of Pokkali rice fields that need to be protected from high salt water levels. The committee, in a statement here, alleged that though the outer dam which protects the fields from salt water, has not been strengthened. The committee said that this year the operation of Pokkali rice cultivation started in early September itself and it will take around 120 days to harvest. During this period the rice fields will have to be protected from salt water infiltration till December.
In the memorandum sent to the District Collector, it has been alleged that the cultivation of Pokkali rice is being sabotaged only by those interested in prawn farming.
Francis Kalathungal of the Pokkali Conservation Society said the aquaculture lobby was constantly trying to break the farming cycle and corner farms for year-round fish and shrimp culture.