Pollution in Kerala water bodies.

High level of pollution in the backwaters and lakes in Kerala is due to the senseless mode of irrigation in most places. In Kuttanadu alone tons of pesticide are sprayed in fields for what is called crop protection, nevertheless, the damages made out of it outweigh the benefits. The atmosphere air along with water in lakes and rivers is contaminated and people with breathing disorder are forced to abandon the place. Pesticide pollution in Vembanad backwaters is higher when compared to contamination by bacterial pollution due to lack of proper sanitation. Irrational use of insect killer is the habit of some farmers in Kuttanadu and Palakkad and that results pollution in water bodies. A paradigm shift is, therefore, needed in the agriculture pattern of farmers. It is time to shift from present form of chemical farming to organic one.

A comprehensive action plan is to be foreseen for strict implementation of organic farming to save the water bodies in the State.

K A Solaman