Mon Feb 03 08:49:00 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Farmers Protest Rising Salinity Threatening Paddy Crops

**Alappuzha, Kerala, February 3, 2025** – Farmers in Alappuzha district, Kerala, staged a protest march on Monday, demanding urgent government intervention to address rising salinity levels threatening their paddy crops. The protest, organized by the Aikya Kuttanad Padasekhara Ekopana Samithi, targeted the Alappuzha District Collectorate.

Farmers cultivate paddy on over 25,000 hectares in the region during the current ‘puncha’ crop season. They report salinity levels exceeding the permissible 2 ppt limit in many areas, causing significant crop damage. They accuse authorities of failing to adequately seal temporary structures (“orumuttu”) designed to prevent seawater intrusion, despite repeated requests. The farmers are demanding compensation for their losses.

Last week, an emergency meeting involving the Agriculture Minister resulted in a request to release water from the Maniyar Dam to mitigate salinity. However, farmers claim this water release hasn’t happened yet, highlighting a lack of inter-departmental coordination. They are calling for the appointment of a nodal officer to oversee water release from dams.

Saline water is entering water bodies primarily from Kayamkulam Lake, according to the Agriculture department. However, farmers also cite the Thanneermukkom barrage and dysfunctional shutters at the Thottappally spillway as contributing factors. Despite the Irrigation department closing the Thanneermukkom bund shutters last month, farmers claim seawater continues to seep through.

The protest was inaugurated by veteran paddy farmer D. Dyanasudan. While officials state that sealing work at the Kannukali bridge will be completed in a few days, farmers remain concerned about the ongoing damage to their livelihoods.

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