Delay in frost onset in hillocks cheers farmers, worries activists

According to Tamil Nadu Agriculture department sources, frost is a regular phenomenon in rainshadow regions of the Nilgiris, but is delayed in onset this year. “By mid-December, the temperature in Ooty usually dips below 4 degrees, but for the past two weeks, the minimum temperature is hovering over 7 and 9 degrees,” said S Shiva, joint director, Horticulture department, Ooty. Frost sets in when the temperature dips below 4 degrees, and the department is monitoring the farm and vegetable production daily, the official said.

According to Forest department sources, the mountain peaks and grasslands have, however, started showing signs of frost and by the first week of January, the towns and reserve forests in the Nilgiris biosphere comprising Coimbatore and the Nilgiris will witness frost. “The prevailing cold wave has paved way for ground frost in Chinnakallar, Megamalai, Avalanche and Bangitapal. However, Ooty, Wellington and Valparai where large tracts of English vegetables and tea estates are grown are yet to see frost,” official sources said.

K Brinda, conservationist with the Biodiversity Research Foundation in Tiruchy, however, said, “Severe frostbites are common during December – January but the damages to the shola forests during this season have hardly been studied at a time when climate change is globally debated.” “Indian universities have started studying the climate impact but very little is done to study the impact of frost on Indian forests. Endemic mammals such as the the Nilgiri tahr would face an increased risk of extinction if there is severe frost and extensive night frosts may cause severe damages to plants and crops,” Brinda further said, while demanding more scientific studies on frost and forest fires.

“There is a standard protocol followed by the Ooty Horticulture department and advice is given to farmers raising potato and tea during winter. Farmers hit by frost in the past had been compensated through the crop insurance schemes and the department is regularly monitoring climate issues to assist farmers,” Agriculture department Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi told DT Next.