Saline intrusion, due to leakage in the regulators, is threatening the survival of Kole fields that spreads over 13,612 hectares in Thrissur and Malappuram districts. The fields, which lie 0.5 to 2.5 m below the sea level, provide 40% of Kerala’s rice requirement.
Enamavu Lock, a regulator at the estuarine mouth, meant to serve as a barrier against salt water intrusion into the vast stretch of Kole fields, was built in 1957 with the most advanced technologies available then. Two other regulators, Idianchira and Munayam, too were commissioned in 1998 for the same purpose.
Over a period, all these regulators developed leakage and have turned almost defunct. The temporary mud bunds, which are built every year, have failed to stop the salt water intrusion causing huge loss to the Kole farmers.
