• UGI USER
  • Apr 01, 2024
  • 32 Likes
  • 0 Comments

CARDAMOM CROPS IN IDUKKI BEGIN TO WILT IN SEVERE DROUGHT

Why in the news?

Severe drought threatens cardamom crops in Idukki, with unprecedented conditions endangering plantations, raising concerns among farmers about potential losses.

About the Impact of Ongoing Drought:

  • Cardamom-producing areas in Idukki face severe drought, posing a threat to farmers.
  • Unprecedented drought-like conditions in recent history affecting plantations in Vandanmedu, Pathumury, Santhanpara, and other regions.
  • Cardamom farmers, like Shaji near Kattappana, fear significant crop damage if drought persists, with stored water nearly depleted and no rainfall.
Source:medium
About Eravikulam National Park:

●   Location: Situated in the Idukki District of Kerala.

●   Area: Spans across 97 square kilometres.

●   Establishment: Declared as a National Park in 1978.

●   Neelakurinji Blooms: Known as the habitat of “Neelakurinji,” a flower that blooms once every twelve years.

●   Anamudi Peak: the highest peak south of the Himalayas, Anamudi, standing at 2,695 metres.

●   Topography: Dominated by rolling grasslands with patches of shola forests in the upper valley.

●   Flora: Rich in biodiversity, hosting various species of flora, including endemic and rare plants.

About Silent Valley National Park:

●  Description: Represents Kerala’s last remaining rainforest, renowned for its pristine and highly productive forests.

●  Location: Situated in the southwestern corner of the Nilgiris.

●  River: The park is traversed by the Kunthipuzha River, flowing from north to south and eventually merging into the Bharathapuzha.

●  Fauna: Home to numerous highly endangered species, including the lion-tailed macaque, tiger, gaur, leopard, wild boar, panther, Indian civet, and sambar.

●  Indigenous Tribes: Inhabited by indigenous tribal groups such as the Irulas, Kurumbas, Mudugas, and Kattunaikkars, who reside within the park boundaries.