ALAPPUZHA: The central move to ban duck and chicken rearing and hatcheries in Alappuzha till March next year to control bird flu will destroy Kuttanad's economic base. Kuttanad's own duck species like Chara and Chamballi will also go towards extinction.
Before the bird flu in 2014, Alappuzha had an annual egg-meat trade worth a thousand crore rupees. It plummeted to 600 crore due to bird flu. The new decision will further exacerbate the financial crisis. Thousands of duck and chicken farmers, meat and egg traders and small hotels will lose their livelihood. Most of the 300 egg trading centres in Alappuzha city and on the roadsides of Alappuzha-Changanassery and Ambalapuzha-Tiruvalla roads have shut down. Now only the eggs from houses are available. That too is rare.
As a tourist destination, Kuttanadan was visited by a large number of people to eat toddy and local food, which also declined with the bird flu. Duck curry and roast in shops and hotels are just a memory now. Avian flu has also caused huge losses in the hotel industry.
Chara and Chamballi will become extinct
The eggs of Chara and Chamballi are larger in size, better in taste and higher in nutritional value. A favourite dish for meat lovers. Kuttanad's heritage Chara and Chamballi are being pushed towards extinction while endangered species are being protected worldwide.
Impact of bird flu