ENA State 2025-03-13 13:57:24 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 13 (KNN)</strong> The Kerala government has announced a firm commitment to protect and preserve all existing paddy lands throughout the state, prohibiting their conversion for alternative purposes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This declaration was made by Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad during a question-and-answer session in the state assembly on Wednesday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">In response to an inquiry regarding the government's intentions toward existing paddy fields, Minister Prasad emphasised the critical importance of preserving these agricultural lands from dual perspectives: ensuring food security and facilitating groundwater recharge. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The minister highlighted the significant environmental contribution of paddy cultivation, noting that a single acre of paddy land collects approximately five crore liters of water underground annually, making these lands valuable water resource assets.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Drawing a parallel between environmental conservation efforts, Prasad expressed the view that there should be paddy reserves similar to forest reserves. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">However, he acknowledged the practical challenges of such designations, stating, We cannot tell a farmer that his agricultural land is being declared a reserve paddy field. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The minister referenced the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act of 2008 as a legislative framework established to preserve and protect the state's paddy fields and water bodies. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This existing legislation provides the foundation for the government's current protective stance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Reinforcing the government's position, Prasad emphatically stated that authorities have no intention of permitting conversion of even an inch of paddy fields for other purposes, concluding that the government intends to protect and preserve the paddy lands in the state at any cost. </span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 41384 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/state/kerala-bars-conversion-of-paddy-fields-to-alternative-use 2025-03-13 13:57:24 knnindia.co.in