Keralam's paddy fields face neglect, threatening food security and ecosystems

Prelims-testable facts

• 01Paddy fields in Kerala play a crucial role in regulating local biodiversity.
• 02Paddy fields in Kerala contribute to groundwater recharge and flood mitigation.
• 03The hydrological cycle and microclimate are regulated by paddy fields in Kerala.
• 04Paddy fields are integral to Kerala's agrarian economy and ecological balance.
• 05Kerala has witnessed a significant decline in paddy acreage and output, threatening regional food security.
• 063.29 lakh hectares of Kerala's paddy fields have been lost since 1994, worsening flood risks.
• 07Paddy ecosystems cater to global food demand and contribute to maintaining ecological balance.

Trap alerts

• Most people think paddy fields are only important for food production, but actually they also play a crucial role in regulating local biodiversity and microclimate.
• Most people think paddy field loss is only an environmental issue, but actually it also has significant socio-economic consequences.
• Most people think Kerala is the only state in India facing paddy field loss, but actually other states are also experiencing similar issues.