News from Kerala

Kozhikode: The water heritage museum, the first of its type in the state is an attempt to introduce the unique and traditional water resources of Kerala including wells and ponds. In addition it also sheds light on the water management, watershed management and the conventional farming techniques of the by gone era. The museum would be set up at the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management at Kozhikode.

 The visitors can learn more about the Vembanad and ‘kole’ wetland culture and traditional water-lifting devices. The museum will also have separate sections for inland water transport, water sports and the importance of water in religion. Dams as well as the changing patterns in the water consumption are also highlighted in this museum. The museum will be open between to between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m on all working days from the 1st of June.

Kochi, May 16

Kalarippayat is very well known as the traditional martial art form of Kerala. This art of physical culture is being practiced in Kerala from the time immemorial. The popularity of this martial art is not only restricted to India, but is known globally. This martial art form will soon be seen on the Discovery channel. In the latest series ‘Fight Quest’, to feature this traditional martial art form a team of Discovery is filming an episode on this traditional martial art form in Kerala. This Indian art of combat skills will now feature among the world’s oldest martial art forms in Discovery.

Kozhikode has been known for its vast number of kalari centres which made the team from Discovery to start their filming from here. The series Fight Quest will showcase all different hand-to-hand combat and martial art traditions. Kalarippayat is the only Indian martial art form which has been included in this series. Rest other forms of martial arts includes Wushu in China, Kali in Philippines, Krav Maga in Israel and Boxing in Mexico.

This unique series featuring the different fighting styles will be aired every Tuesday at 2100 hrs on the Discovery channel. The series will showcase a lot of information’s relating to hand-hand combating and martial art traditions across the world. Also the show will bring in the traditional culture and style of Kalarippayat at a global platform.

Thiruvananthapuram: The fabled beach resort of Kovalam is all set to join the celebrity bandwagon of a few elite destinations in Kerala that have already introduced Responsible Tourism. Kumarakom was the pioneer in taking up this ground breaking decision followed by Thekkady and Wayanad, which have already launched this system on a trial basis.

The committee set up is trying to develop the all important link between the tourism industry and local entrepreneurship. A survey was conducted to monitor the consumption patterns of over 100 hotels that are located near the beach resort and a part of their requirements will be sourced from the local community. Home grown products such as vegetables and diary products shall be delivered to the hotels and Kudumbasree units would be playing a larger than life role in this initiative.

An agreement has already been inked to supply the local farm produce to some of the hotels in Kovalam to meet their needs. Apart from these, self help groups would also supply eco-friendly baskets and paper bags, thereby reducing the distressing impacts on the environment and social set up. It is aimed at improving the living standards of the host communities.

It also focuses on improving working conditions apart from involving the local populace in the decision-making process that affects their lives. The best part is that this initiative would involve the local community including the tour operators and nearby educational institutions in the promotion of eco friendly tourism.

Kochi: Today, women have started taking up many responsibilities that were once monopolized by men. Take for instance the case of “Vasanta Sena” or the Green Army comprising of only women. Started six years back, this exclusive women forest patrolling team is dedicated to protect the Periyar Tiger Reserve and its Sandalwood forests. The Periyar Tiger Reserve near Thekkady is a safe haven for 63 different species of mammals apart from countless birds, reptiles and butterflies.

These women who live in the periphery of the reserve have done a commendable job in freeing this area from poachers and loggers. Many women who have never ventured out of their homes are now active members of the team, bagging laurels from all over.

These women are provided with uniforms, caps and daggers for self defence. The  principal objective of the patrolling is to safe guard its rich wild life and the precious Sandalwood trees, as wide spread logging was once rampant in this area. On an average 10-12 trees used to get stolen every day but once this patrolling was put in place it has reduced considerably. However, poaching and logging continues unabated during night times when the team retreats after the day’s work.
The patrolling starts at 11:00 in the morning and would go on till 5:00 in the evening and they have constituted teams of five members each to scan the whole area. Apart from keeping an eye on poaching and tree felling, patrolling has also helped to reduce forest fires, which are common during summer months, which destroys the fodder of animals. Forest fires are often started by lighted cigarette stubs, thrown carelessly by people and patrolling has helped to prevent large scale loss of green cover due to forest fires.

These daring women often encounter wild animals like elephants and pigs apart from the most deadly of all –the poachers. However, they have developed confidence and composure over the years to deal with these trying situations with élan.
The team has also won the Amrit Devi Bishnoi Award, the highest award in India for wildlife protection in the year 2006, in appreciation of their commendable services. Originally started as a World Bank aided Eco Development project in 1996 it has now evolved to be a model programme in the conservation of ecology.

Kochi, May 14

Its feast time for all gourmets here in the ‘Tharavadu’ restaurant at the Casino hotel which is hosting ‘Karaikudi Food Fest’ for all food lovers. This ongoing food feast highlights the wide varieties of tempting Chettinaadu dishes. There are preparations for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians which one can savour with pleasure.

Chettinaadu cuisines are said to be the spiciest delicacies which are made using different spices, giving the recipes a unique flavour and aroma. It’s the mix of spices which does the trick in these Chettinaadu cuisines. Along with different spices other special additions are tamarind, whole red chillies, fennel seeds and black pepper.

This tempting Chettinaadu food feast is attracting a huge number of food lovers to have a taste of these unique preparations. The feast starts from 7.30pm to 11pm till May 18.

Kochi: The first ever steel snake boat, ‘Aries Chundan’ became the largest snake boat with a capacity for 141 crew members, by smashing the existing record  held by a traditional snake boat with a crew capacity of 118 members.

This architectural marvel in steel is all set to enter the Guinness book of world records for achieving this stellar feat. Constructed by Aries marine and engineering services, this snake boat hogged the limelight when it made its presence felt on the 1st of May in the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, famous venue for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat race, which attracts tourists from far and wide.

This innovative steel boat is designed using the well acclaimed ‘Autoship software’ and the strength and stability has been confirmed using overhanging test and sinking test, which ensures safety and stability under all conditions. “Aries chundan’ measuring a staggering 143 feet in length is already featured in the Limca Book of Records as the longest snake boat in steel ever made.

Thiruvananthapuram: The mere mention of Kerala was enough to summon images of lush green paddy fields and endless expanses of coconut gardens till the recent past. However, things have changed with the commercial boom and unscientific construction activities, which plundered the God gifted natural bounties like perennial water bodies and fertile patches of land to the core.

 Today, Kerala is now degraded into just a full fledged consumer state, which is at the mercy of its neighbors for anything and everything from vegetables, fruits, rice and even flowers to deck up its brides or to make floral carpets during Onam- the most important festival in this state!

Government is taking steps to promote vegetable, rice and fruit cultivation apart from the production of milk, meat and honey to cater to the requirements of its populace. An exhibition is currently on in Thiruvananthapuram, which showcases an array of mangoes, honey and other useful products. The agriculture minister who inaugurated the exhibition stressed on the significance of equipping the bee farmers of Kerala for producing premium quality honey. The minister said that model farms would be set up for cultivating all types of mangoes under the Agriculture Department and the Agricultural varsity. People would be able to procure good quality mango saplings from Horticorp.

The present day sorry state of affairs in this incredible State is a far cry from its erstwhile self sufficient portrait. Kerala was once a self sufficient state where vegetables were grown in every backyard and the rice bowls of Kuttanad and Palakkad catered to the staple diet of all the Malayalees with ease. However, with increased urbanization, the pressure on land increased, which in turn led to the reclamation of large tracts of fertile and cultivable land for construction purposes. If the current trends are any indication, the day is not far away when there would be severe food shortage.

So, let’s all do our bit to make this wonderful state a land of plenty!

Kochi: Gone are the days when almost every Kerala home used to have a pond to bathe and separate, well maintained wells for both drinking and irrigation purposes. With the advent of urbanization and the much hyped flat boom, every inch of land including precious water bodies like ponds, paddy fields and wetlands were unscientifically leveled to construct concrete buildings that do not complement with the milieu of Kerala.
Destruction of water bodies not just drastically reduces the ground water level thereby pushing up the atmospheric temperature but also would lead to the extinction of an array of exotic water birds and plants. Now, light seems to be at the end of the tunnel as the Government has finally decided to digitally map all water bodies that are at least 1 metre deep to derive a comprehensive data base of wetlands.

The mapping is being carried out by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSSB) in association with the scientists from the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and the Kerala Forest Research Institute. The mapping process is time consuming and is expected to span over a period of 10 months. The initial mapping that is being carried out by geographical information system would also be physically verified. The data derived from these surveys will help in the scientific management and conservation of wetlands of Kerala.

This project assumes greater importance as the wetlands in the State are under grave threat. With the completion of this project, we can hope Kerala would regain its lost glory as the land of pristine lakes and water bodies, the priceless gifts of nature, which not many places on earth can boast.

Kochi, May 9

They might have lost their vision but they are blessed with the melody which can take many to a musical journey. About 100 visually challenged musicians are all set to add some melody to the city with their musical performance here today. This unique musical extravaganza will be staged by the Guruyavoor Melppathur auditorium which hosts Chembai Music Festival.

The participants of this musical event include several visually challenged musicians, degree and postgraduate degree holders in music, music teachers, students and many others. The show will start with the traditional rendering of the Panchartna Keerthana. Many music lovers and music literates will also be there to grace the occasion.

Akhilbharatheeya Dhrusthtiheen Kalyan Sangh is organising this unique show for the people of Kochi.

Thiruvananthapuram: Thanks to the efforts of a bunch of creative animators, Tintin, the world famous comic strip hero, sported a Kerala look, bringing cheer to scores of die hard aficionados of this endearing character. Late last month the animators from Toonz Animation Academy and Vismaya Max Animation Studio recreated this endearing character at a workshop organised at the Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum.

It was conducted as part of an exhibition, titled ‘Tintin in Pune,’ featuring drawings of the students of Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Fine Arts, Pune. Originally these pictures were displayed in Pune last year to commemorate the birth centenary of Herge, the creator of Tintin.