Introduction
Traditional ecological knowledge comprises of a component of local knowledge of species, environmental phenomenon, beliefs and practice in the way people carry out activities related to resource use within ecosystems. Interest in traditional ecological knowledge has been growing in recent years, partly due to recognition that such knowledge can potentially contribute to biodiversity conservation, maintenance of ecological processes and development of sustainable resource use strategies The present paper looks into such knowledge of an ethnic community named Kurichiya in Wayanad District of Kerala in the traditional classification of paddy fields (Vayal), traditional knowledge associated with its sustainable utilization and management strategies to utilize physical and human resources for rice cultivation.
The Kurichiyas are one of the several tribal communities of Kerala whose principal livelihoods is centered around paddy. They are matrilineal settled agriculturists and land is collectively owned and hence landholdings are relatively larger. The Kurichiyas cultivate several traditional varieties and are rooted in cultural wisdom to the extent that they do not change the land use for the cultivation of cash crops.
The Kurichiyas have depended on several landscape elements for their survival. Paddy field is one of the important landscapes that they depend for food security. They possess unique knowledge about landscape and further classified the paddy fields based on some peculiarities. The Kurichiya use four key elements in their classification of Vayals- availability of water, soil composition, soil fertility and physical location of the field. The traditional Vayal classification system helps the Kurichiyas in making cropping decisions, use of appropriate input and organize their labour accordingly vis-a-vis their landscape elements. Resource management and agricultural practice vary with Vayal types. Kurichiya depend on each Vayal type in various ways to satisfy their needs other than food security.
Traditional Classification of Vayals
Wayand in Malayalam means land of the Vayals (Vayal = Paddy Fields and Nadu = Country). Valleys surrounded by low range undulating hills characterize a typical paddy field in Wayanad. They classify Vayals into three types, namely Kuni Vayal, Kundu Vayal and Koravu Vayal on basis of soil texture, mud content, percolation and retention of water fertility of land and location of the field (Figure 1). Different varieties grown on these Vayals is given in Table 1
Kunivayal is the gentle slope on the foothills that meets flat low land. This Vayal type contains more soil with less mud content, has low water holding capacity and very rarely experience water logging. Cultivation is chiefly under rain fed condition, which may be supplemented with ash and cow dung, with only one crop being raised during Nancha season between May/June to November/December.
Kundu vayals are the flat fields located in the valley bottoms. This type of vayal is characterized by standing water throughout rainy seasons. The soil is clayey with less sand content, thereby increasing its water retention capacity. Moreover, water is retained here for a longer period due to lack of proper drainage facilities and enhances chances of pest attack on the crop.
Koravu Vayal is also known as Aathi Vayal, reported to be a rare and swampy variant of Kundu Vayal. The profile of this Vayal type is like that of a cushion, with practically no soil or sand content. One cannot stand/walk on to this field, as chances of sinking into deep swamp are high and hence men undertake all agricultural operations. Due to the swampy nature, use of animals for ploughing is not possible.
Functional significance of classification of Vayals
Classification of Vayals helps the Kurichiyas in the efficient utilization of physical and human resources. The Kurichiyas developed management practices in line with the availability of physical resources in each Vayal type. For example, natural soil fertility vary in each Vayal type and they use additional manures in Kuni Vayal because soil fertility is low in this Vayal type. They apply little or no manure in Koravu Vayal since it is naturally fertile. The classification of Vayals not only helps them to select diverse varieties suitable to distinct Vayal type but also to utilize available human resources and natural resources on the field throughout the year. Transplanting of paddy requires a large amount of labour, varieties with different duration helps them to adjust the days of transplantation.
Table 4. Vayal types and Variety tie-up
| Kuni Vayal(Drought tolerant & short duration) | Kundu Vayal(Medium duration) | Koravu Vayal(Flood tolerant & long duration) |
| Pal Thondi, Mara Thondi,Thonnuran Thondi | Gandhakasala, Mullanchanna, Poothadi Kayama | Pal Veliyan, ChettuVeliyan |
| Uruni kaima | Jeerakasala | Mundon |
| Njavara | Chempathi | Chenthadi |
| Kalladiyaran | Chomala | Ongan Puncha (rare) |
| Kochuvithu | Chennellu | Mullan Puncha (rare) |
Biodiversity associated with each Vayal type
Paddy fields shelter several species of plants and animals of use value. The occurrence of medicinal plants is high in Kuni Vayal. Paddy fields are the chief source of several wild food species like Alternanthera sessilis, Monochoria vaginalis, Amaranthus spinosus Wild and according to Kurichiya most of these wild food plants are seen in and around Kuni Vayal.
The faunal diversity associated with paddy fields is also rich and play a significant role in controlling harmful insects/pests attack. A total of 16 species of birds associated with paddy fields have been listed. The diversity of fish and its availability is reported to be high in Koravu and Kundu Vayal types. Water loving species like crabs, frogs, edible snails are abundantly seen in Koravu Vayal and to a lesser extent in Kundu Vayal.
The Kurichiya collect several edible greens from paddy fields. According to Kurichiyas once paddy fields get converted, such plants become rare. Even if they grow in banana or arecanut plantation they are not collected for consumption because of heavy chemicals and pesticide use. There is a popular feeling among the Kurichiyas that most of the fish species are getting rare after the conversion of paddy fields due to indiscriminate use of chemicals and pesticides.
Conclusions
Landscape variability and traditional rice varieties are closely interlinked and hence disturbances in any one will affect the other. Therefore the conservation efforts should give priority not only to crops and varieties but as well as knowledge associated with landscape types.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC), New Delhi for conducting the study. The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Kurichyas from Palukkap, Aneri, Kavu Mandam and Palliayara Colony for readily sharing the information that made this publication possible.
G. Girigan, N. Anil Kumar* and V. Arivudai Nambi, Community Agrobiodiversity Centre
M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation Puthhorvayal P.O. Kalpetta, Wayanad – 673 121, Email: cabcmssrf@eth.net
References
Alcom J.B. 1989. Process as resource. Advances in Economic Botany 7: 63-77
Anon 2001, Phase – 1 Completion Report on Conservation, Enhancement and Sustainable and Equitable Use of Biodiversity, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai, submitted to the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, New Delhi
Berkes, F., and C. Folke (eds.). 1997. Linking Social and ecological systems: management practices and social mechanisms for building resilience. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Vedavalli, L. and Anil Kumar, N. 1998. Gender dimensions in Biodiversity Management.. Wayanad, Kerala, M.S. Swaminathan (Ed.), Konark Publishers.
G. Girigan, N. Anil Kumar and V. Arivudai Nambi
