Munnar - The paradise of keralam !!

Geography Of Munnar

The paradise of Kerala is blessed with 3 rivers and beautiful geography to enhance it's enchantment over the visitors.The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,450 meters (4,760 ft) to 2,695 meters (8,842 ft) above mean sea level. The temperature ranges between 5 °C (41 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) in winter and 15 °C (59 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) in summer. Temperatures as low as −4 °C (25 °F)have been recorded in the Sevenmallay region of Munnar. The mean maximum daily temperature is at its lowest during the monsoon months with the highest temperature being 19 C. for more information click here 

Ethnic food: Bittergourd Kichadi

Bitter gourd

Kichadi

2 cups chopped

bittergourd

oil to fry

one and a half cup curd

1 cup grated coconut

1/4 tsp cumin seedsss

2 green chillies

1 dried red chilli

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds

Grind the green chillies,

cumin seeds, 1/4 tsp

mustard seeds and

coconut into a fine paste

and add this to the curd.

Add salt to this. Fry the

bittergourd in hot oil and

combine with the curdcoconut mixture. Heat oil

and add mustard

seeds(1/4 tsp), dried red

chilli and fenugreek

seeds . When the

mustard seeds splutters

pour the kichadi to this

and off the fire.

(Recipie courtesy;)

Future of farming in kerala !! (Kerala Agriculture)

Kerala, since its formation is earmarked as a food deficit stateproducing only 50% of its requirements of rice. Several rain packed monsoons though has blessed the state the rice culture in Kerala is seen dwindling year after year. The area now is less than 2.6lakhs hectors while the production is just six lakhs tones. Trade records reveal that

the state is producing only 15-20% of the rice required. When rice fields disappearour enchanting greenery is replaced by very ugly grey spots. The shining green

leaves and golden coloured earheads which dance to the tune of breeze is slowly disappearing from our rural life. A close examination of the situation reveals that the main reason for deserting the rice culture was the availability of quality rice in plenty in markets after the success of green revolution especially after 1977. It created a situation making

rice culture an unprofitable enterpris. The rise in the cost of production due to paucity of labour, huge wages, high cost of inputs, a rice culture slowly became a huge loss making job in the rural area,

which forced the farmers to gradually look out for more profit generating crops. This led to the expansion of cash crops like banana, rubber, spices and even

vegetables. Good price and generous assistance extended by the government motivated farmers give priority to cultivate cash crops ignoring rice, tapioca and even pulses. The attitude of the farmers slowly changed from producing rice to the promotion of the crops which give then better profit for a comparatively lesser quantum of job and attention. In this process another  crop which lost its glory

is coconut. The fall in the price of

coconut, import of cheap vegetable oils etc lead to a condition which made coconut farming also an unprofitable enterprise. Various new efforts like popularization of tender coconut, andproduction of value added products are expected to generate a new wave of enthusiasm for farm families for investing better care to the "tree of heaven". All problems especially emerging in the farmsector require quick solutions as thedelay will worsen the availability of farm produce which is a must to keep the hunger and poverty away.Farming and farm families require arefreshing new wave of modernization.It is required not only to preserve our

greenery without creating environmental hazards but also to attract the youth to the charming world of farming. Technology has made tremendous progress and the life style of the masses is changing fast. In this context unless farming is made more profit generating and a profession that make modern lifestyle, livelihood security, and above all social recognition the younger generation will not come towards this occupation. Another change is that the families will not allow this generation to take up the farming as an occupation since they themselves are not happy with their lifelong association with agriculture.The new steps introduced for providing pension for farmers, insurance cover for crops and domestic animals, modernization of farming, introduction of hitech farming, large scale mechanization, improving marketing structure, export promotion etc are steps in the right direction and need wider support from people belonging to all walk of life.

Paucity of funds for farm development schemes has become a story of the past. The allotment for

agriculture programs has been doubled in the stage budgets and central schemes are providing a challenge to the capacity of the state to collect and spend more money in the agriculture sector through commodity boards, horticulture mission and University. The real need of the hour is generating programs and implementing the same in a more farmer friendly manner recognizing the fact that the peasant is the real link between the soil and crop generation exercise. Stimulating his efforts and providing him modern livelihood security, social recognition and above all faith is sure to make Kerala a Holy land of green prosperity. for more regional language agriculture news, kerala agri sites available in this blog

              (courtesy: www.prd.kerala.gov.in) 

The writer is R. HELI,Rtd. Director of Agriculture

Tourism Keralam !

Alapuzha, the venice of the east !!

Acclaimed as the Venice of the East by Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy to India, Sandwiched between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Vembanadu lake in the east, welcomes you to the backwaters of Kerala. Alleppey is a district of Immense Natural beauty. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today Alleppey is grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign & domestic tourist each year. Alleppey is also famous for its snake boat races, house boat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. The rice bowl of Kerala, Kuttandu is perhaps the only place in the world where faming is done below sea level.Alleppey offers enjoyable  boat cruises through the scenic Vembanadu lake. The never ending panorama of lush  green paddy fields, towering coconut trees, shimmering water and long canals around Alleppey make a delightful setting for the town.for more details click here 

Pizhala model pokkali tourism farm !!

"Boat tour, farm stay, rowing, marine foods, fish hunting, greener paddy field, natural islands."

Pizhala Model Pokkali Tourism Farm is an eco-friendly (no harmful to environment) tourism Farm scattered in the west part Pizhala Island ( one of the ten islands of Kadamakudy Panchayath) .Periyar River (250 kms long) forms four branches here runs along the border of these Islands and finally joins in the Vyppin backwater. These islands are the most tourist attractive plcaes in KOCHI Tourism. .Kadamakudy Islands are known as Kuttanad of Kochi , Another Alleppy of Kochi and Vennice of Kerala.

These tourist fishing agricutural greener Islands are famous for their natural beauty ,river-backwater ,paddy crops,prawns,fish and crab cultivations. Truly these Islands are God's Own Islands. Pokkali Crop was awarded The Geografical Indication certificate by The Government of India in 2007. This Pokkali is the only G.I certified organic paddy crop of KOCHI In International Rice Rearch Institute (IRRI) , Manila and Philippines,Pokkali genes are used to produce new paddy grains in coastal rice field. for more details click here 

Dream world: A water theme park in Kerala !!

The enchanting beauty of Athirappilly Water Falls, the scenic attraction of Vazhachal, Thumboormuzhy and Sholayar had fascinated the Tourist from time immemorial. Dream World, the most modern man made sophisticated Water Theme Park is situated on Athirappilly route very near to the magical natural beauty of Athirappilly.

Dream World Water Park has attracted thousands of tourists from all over India. The huge Dragons built at the main entrance on Athirappilly road will give a pleasant feeling to the tourists as if they are entering into a Jurassic Park. The layout of the park is designed in such a way that tourist belonging to any age group can effortlessly reach all the rides without much walking or climbing.

The visitors can go to any nook and corner of the park without foot protection as the whole area is either covered with paving tiles or lawn that can be seen rarely at any similar parks. Many of the tourists repeatedly visit our park, as there is no other park in Kerala with such unique water rides. At least 5numbers of water rides are newly introduced in Dream World that cannot be found in any other park in South India. for more click here 

Kallada tours: Largest bu operators in south india !!

Kallada Tours & Travels is a part of the Suresh Kallada Concern and is one of the largest bus operators in South India, operating bus services across the country, We connect communities in over most of the towns in South India.Our services play an important role in delivering social inclusion, helping people in rural and urban areas access work, education, health, shopping and leisure, with thousands of passengers travelling on Kallada every day. We always ensure that our passengers arrive at their destination on time.Putting customers first is our priority. We always innovate to increase the quality, reliability and frequency of bus services to offer car and train users a realistic transport alternative and help cut congestion. Bus priority measures are crucial to achieving this objective and our management team work closely with the passenger community to improve services. for more click here 

Grand Kerala Shopping festival; Asia's Largest Shopping..........

GKSF Season 6

The amazing success of the previous editions of Grand Kerala Shopping Festival has enhanced the anticipation for Season 6, which starts on15th December 2012 and concludes on 31stJan 2013. A 48 days shopping fiesta, the sixth edition of GKSF promises to be bigger, broader and better. A whopping 101 kg Gold and a host of attractive high value gifts are declared as the prizes of season 6. Besides, an array of rich and varied events including a 15 day trade fair at Cochin shall bring in more footfalls to Kerala. The government of Kerala is offering a 100% VAT refund to tourists from outside the state who visit and shop in Kerala during season 6. There are more facilities added for GKSF season 6, including Online Registration and registration through Akshaya Centers. Service of Akshaya centres and Trade Associations will be used for Registration under the supervision of a Logistic agency.

About GKSF

A unique shopping fiesta, the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) first started on 2007 Dec 1 to next year Jan 15 and since then it became an annual shopping festival in Kerala, the southernmost state in India, popularly known as 'Gods Own Country'. The ever-inviting borders of Kerala never leave you empty handed once you traverse them. The Grand Kerala Shopping Festival, the signature shopping festival of Kerala, is yet another fascinating event that stands testimony to this fact. for more details click here 

Kala keralam: the rhythm of art !!

Kerala has a rich cultural heritage and art forms. Unfortunately our art forms are alienating from our land, now some of them are only in memories… It is our moral responsibility to protect and preserve it for the coming generations. But we have failed to provide a website regarding our art and artists. Hence Mr.Razi Alappuzha, noted web designer and cartoonist developed www.Kalakeralam.com,an exquisite portal that showcase arts and culture of Kerala, a gateway to the myriad images of Kerala's artistry. It is an indispensable resource for any one interested in art and culture of Kerala in India and abroad. for more click here