Numerous ponds
and canals at Kumbalam, and other delta regions in Cochin, were artificially
and scientifically excavated to preserve rain water. It was a source of potable
water and also used for irrigation, and other domestic use. The ponds are like
small craters. Ponds and canals were
cleaned once a year just before the summer showers or during the last days of
summer. These showers normally arrive either before mid-February and the
monsoon arrives on the western horizon before the last week of May or on the
first week of June.
Annual cleaning
of ponds or ‘Kulam Vettal’ was yet
another interesting event, which I loved to participate. It was done during the
peak of summer (mid February and April) and before the arrival of monsoon. It
is done for watering coconut palms, vegetable
gardens and orchards to keep them from drying up.
At least six or
seven persons were required to clean a big pond. Two persons would weed out the
sides of the pond and the others would make a small ridge locally called a ‘Thadom’ around the coconut trees and
other trees standing around the pond. All the ‘Thadoms’ were then connected by small channels for distribution of
water to all the trees. To avoid the wet soil on the embankments from sliding
back into the pond during the cleaning process; a long mat made of plaited palm
leaves of coconut was placed on an elevated side of the pond. After all these
initial preparations were complete, six people start draining the pond water
with a conical shaped wooden or metal
basket called ‘Thekku Kotta’ with
three coir ropes on either side.
As the bottom
of the pond would be full of dirt, one person would get into it to stir it
thoroughly so that maximum quantity of dirt from ond could be removed. When
most of the water was drained out, a lot of fresh water fish like Striped Snake
Head (Varal,) Climbing Perch (Karoop) and Eel (Moozhi) would surface. Jacob and I and lot of our friends would run
around and during intervals of the labourers we used to jump into the pond to
pick up fish as soon as the fish surfaces and/or where there was some movement
in the mud we would inspect and catch them then and there and put them in a big
copper vessel called ‘Kuttalam’ and
pour some water also into it to keep them alive. After the cleaning of ponds we
used to take major portion of the fish. The labourers used to share some of the
fish. Jacob and I used to spare some for our friends as well. Appachan, Jacob and I used to enjoy all
these activities and we used to be a part and parcel of all the activities that
went with it. Rest assured that at the end of it we were sure to have a fishy
meal prepared by our ‘Ammachi.’ Karoop
fry was an excellent delicacy.
In early 1970s
Kochu-Varkey Master Karithra bought a five HP (horse power) diesel pump and he rented
out to public to drain dirty water from the ponds and canals. His younger
children, Unni and Antony, used to give a helping hand to their father. The transition from manual draining to machinised
pumping made draining of water easier.
This annual
cleaning of ponds is vital to keep the water clean and pure for domestic
consumption. The bund of drinking water pond was strengthened so that dirty
water would not flow into the pond. The irrigation of trees would enhance the
yield of crops.
It is really amazing to note these casual labourers stop
their work for brunch, lunch and evening tea by measuring time looking at the
sun or its shade. There is so much of accuracy in their correct reading of
time.
During summer when the canals would become dry and the
mire or mud start to crack, I had noticed fish like the Striped Snake Head (Varal,) Climbing Perch (Karoop,)
hibernate. They remain dormant in the damp mire till the onset of the monsoon
after which they would become active again.
I noticed a layer of a slightly hard organic matter,
locally called “Kathamba-thut,” about
one meter thick, in the north-western areas of Kumbalam Island. It situates at
a two meter depth from the soil surface and it could be seen in ponds. The
dried ‘Kathamba’ is inflammable. At the time of the annual cleaning of ponds I
have observed oil oozing out of that layer, very slightly. This covers the
water surface. We used to make incisions on tender cashew-nuts and these nuts
were thrown into the water. It is supposed to have a cleansing effect on the
water surface. Some of the creatures might have been captive among this layer
of fossilized remains of natural vegetation buried rapidly by natural process.
A scientific excavation and examination might tell the age and tale of these
deltas.
Jacob, my friends and I had spent a
lot of time in the ponds and on the mouth of the pond which was like the tail
portion of a grandfather’s clock. This gave rare moments like the last dip of a
sun-bird at the jaws of a huge StripedSnake Head or Varal; Kingfishers and soaring birds of prey like Kite plunging
into the pond and emerging with fish on their beaks; metamorphosis of
amphibians, fish and dragonflies; Water and Rat Snakes gobbling big fish; Storks
and Herones sitting mute on a single leg and patiently waiting for fish to
emerge on the surface to catch them in their spear shaped long beak.
It is significant to note that
material resources of the community like ponds, canals, rivers, lakes, hills,
mountains forests and reservoirs are nature’s bounty. They maintain delicate
ecological balance. These are to be protected for a proper and healthy
environment which enables people to enjoy a quality life which is the essence
of the guaranteed right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. “ .” Ponds,
canals, paddy fields and Vembanad Lake shall not be allowed to be reclaimed for
commercial purposes. The revenue authorities are duty bound to maintain such
bounties of nature to prevent ecologigal imbalance and depredation of
environment.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
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