A part of the Indian Cardamom Hills, a region dependent on rain-fed cardamom agriculture.
A comprehensive study based on 60 years of data to assess climate variability and its impact on the Indian Cardamom Hills (ICH) has revealed an alarming trend: a significant decrease in annual rainfall.
A dip in annual rainfall has been recorded at around 13.62 mm, while the number of rainy days has decreased by around 19.75 days over a period of 40 years. In addition to less rainfall, the study also highlighted a significant increase in minimum and average decadal temperatures. This shows that these rising temperatures pose a potential threat to cardamom production and may affect the availability of water for irrigation. The study emphasizes the importance of adaptive agriculture and climate-resilient policies to protect the plantation and sustain cardamom production.
The ICH is a geographical tract spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu, comprising 2,000 sq km of hilly areas, mostly 700–1,800 msl (sea level) high plateau extending between the Kumuli Hills (in the south) and the Munnar Hills (in the south). answer).
The research team consisted of Sivajothi Ramalingam, Kazuaki Tanaka, Nainaru Tarakaramu, Muthusamy Murugan, Ashok Kumar Kaliaperumal and M Ijaz Khan. The study was published in 2015 Nature Scientific ReportsA peer-reviewed open access multidisciplinary science journal, recently.
For the study, long-term observed weather data and cardamom yield data were collected from Cardamom Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Pampadumpara, Kerala and subjected to statistical analysis. The study used various statistical methods to analyze the variability and trends of climate change, focusing on surface air temperature and precipitation data in the Indian Cardamom Hills.
“Reduced rainfall and rainy days threaten the local agroforestry ecosystem, as long droughts and long rainless periods and sparse tree cover can negatively affect cardamom growth and production,” the study says.
As the region’s dependence on rain-fed cardamom agriculture makes it highly vulnerable to climate change, erratic rainfall patterns pose a significant threat to livelihoods sustained by the ICH agroforestry system.
Rainforest climate
The Indian Cardamom Hills, for the past two and a half decades, enjoyed a typical rainforest climate. Consistent rainfall throughout the year provided optimal conditions for cardamom growth and production, eliminating the risk of soil dampness. The study comes after reports of significant crop losses due to erratic rainfall patterns over the past few decades.
The study recommends immediate steps to implement sustainable agricultural practices such as advanced irrigation technologies, diversified crops and climate-resilient varieties to maintain productivity in the face of increasing climate crisis. It shows that tropical mountain ecosystems are at a tipping point, threatened by climate change and unsustainable practices.
The findings highlight the urgent need to conserve cardamom forests and emphasize the importance of science-based planning and management for agriculture in areas such as ICH. “As global temperatures continue to rise, understanding and addressing the specific vulnerabilities of mountain ecosystems will be essential to protect biodiversity and ensure food security for the millions of people who depend on these regions,” the study says.
published – Dec 16, 2024 at 05:43 pm IST