Environmental status of kadalundi river basin in kerala – a case study of kadalundi estuary

Detailed study has been carried out for understanding the environmental status of Kadalundi River Basin in Kerala using secondary data collected from various departments and field survey. This study is a preliminary investigation of the early and existing environmental condition in the river basin which is one of the hot spots of biodiversity. Based on the published information in news papers, articles, internet and a pilot field study was carried out to find out the actual environmental status of the river basin. As per the survey it is noted that environmental status of Kadalundi river basin is deteriorating day by day. The major environmental issues are the dumping of plastic wastes in open space, decrease in the annual arrival of migratory birds, reduce in area under mangrove forest, increase in pest attack over areas in mangrove forest, drudging and illegal sand mining, ecological disturbance, salt water intrusion and disappearance of local flora and fauna due to implementation of inter cropping agricultural pattern. This study can be a base for an environmental evaluation and formatting a plan for integrated river basin model for Kadalundi river basin.