Climate change affecting cardamom hills: study

 
The Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR), a 2,800 sq. km. mountainous terrain with deep valleys and rivers where spices like cardamom, pepper and coffee are grown, is witnessing climate change. A part of this reserve, which spreads across the Western Ghats, lies in Tamil Nadu.According to a study conducted by M. Murugan, assistant professor, agro-climatology, Pampadumpara Cardamom Research Station (CRS), the maximum temperature in the region has declined and the minimum temperature has risen.The study was conducted on the basis of data provided by the Automatic Weather Station, Soil Thermometer and Evaporation Metre at the CRS since 1978. "The weather station, one of the oldest of its kind, was set up by the ISRO," said Mr. Murugan.The study found that the southwest monsoon (June-September) has weakened and the northeast monsoon (October-December) has gained in strength in the region. Mr. Murugan said that though the quality and weight of cardamom has improved due to the climate change, new weeds and pest attack has also increased, pushing up the production cost.According to the date supplied by the weather station, the relative humidity in the cardamom hills in Idukki has fallen by 12 per cent, and the days have become warmer. The cloudiness over the hills has fallen by an hour, and the difference between the warmest and coolest months have narrowed . "As a result of increase in soil temperature, many small streams have dried up," he said,According to the study, Elappara, receives the largest rain fall in the CHR region, followed by Palkulam Medu and Vennimala. The rainfall has fallen in Karunapuram, which on the border with Tamil Nadu and records the lowest rainfall. The report said that the intensity of climatic change in the cardamom hills is higher than in plains . The study found that the climate change has resulted in a change in the flowering and harvesting seasons. Except for cardamom, the climate change has affected crops like pepper and coffee. The quantity and quality of both the crops have fallen," he said.

The Hindu, 1st September  2008