AFRICAN SNAILS

AFRICAN SNAILS

            Giant African snails are invading agriculture land and homes in several localities of Kerala, posing serious problems.

            A native of East Africa, the land snail (Achatina falica) is a pest that attacks nearby 500 plant species, including those bearing fruits and vegetables and even rubber and coffee

            Attacks by the species have been reported from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhicodu cities, Konni in pathanamthitta district and Palalkkad. It multiplies in large numbers during the rainy season and destroys vegetables, papaya, banana and other crops. In some parts of Kollam district. It has invaded coconut trees.

            Local people are planning a drive against them. In Konni, people have destroyed thousands of snails through application of common salt. The Snail cannot stand heat and sunlight. It is easily killed by spraying of salt or copper sulphate. But control is difficult.

            The Snail would have reached Kerala years ago. But May have found an environment suitable for its gregarious multiplication only now. It is possible that the multiplication of the snails is another symptom of serious disturbance of Kerala’s environment. Farmers from some parts of the state have reported seing unfamiliar insects.

            A study conducted by two class x students has found the infestation of the giant African Snail (Archatina falica) at Konni in Pathanamthitta district to be more severe over the last two years. The study was conducted by Swathy Nair and Swetha Nair.

            The study found that the snail population which was 840 on a cent of land in 2008 had multiplied to 10,000 within a year. A snail lays 400 eggs at a time and no fewer than 380 of them hatch.

            The African snails may have reached Konni in 2005 along with timber consignments from Malasia. The study found that the snails had caused much harm to food crops such as tapioca, papaya and other vegetation, especially rubber, in Konni.

            Thousands of Giant African Snails have infested the coastal pozhikkara area of paravur town in Kollam district. The Agriculture Department has not taken any effective steps to address the problem.

Prof. John Kurakar