Abstract

In parts of N. Malabar, the mouths of streams are so formed that where there is lowlying ground, the large volume of water brought down during the monsoon spreads out just behind the bar and deposits large quantities of fine silt. These areas are subjected to tidal waves and annual inundation and can be seen between Mahe and Payanur very near or within a few miles of the coast. The soil in such areas is deep soft clay rich in organic deposits accumulated through years. The fossils of plants and shell fish suggest that these were in places submerged by the sea while there are also indications of the formation of salt pans in many places. Such areas are usually overgrown with mangrove formations' but in several places the land has been reclaimed and made to grow heavy crops of paddy. Reclamation-The scrub jungle is cleared and the area protected from the tides by big bunds often strengthened by a row of mangrove plants or even with rubble stone. A few drainage channels are made within the enclosure and communicate with the river outside through narrow wooden sluices joined across the bunds. The original laying out is a slow and costly process as often the soil for the bunds has to be brought from long distances and it may take many years before the bunds are able to stand the strong currents.

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