Page 444 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

442  SOUTHWESTERN INDIA

The Konkan Coast

All along the Konkan Coast, from Mumbai to the south Mumbai
of Mangalore, are villages where, for over 2,000 years, MAHARASHTRA
fishing communities have harvested the fruits of the
sea. A distinctive culture has developed in this area,
protected by the forested hills of the Western Ghats. GOA Panaji
Beyond the coastline are fertile paddy fields, and
KARNATAKA
plantations of coconut, cashew, betel nut, rubber, Arabian
pepper and other spices. This is also India’s monsoon Sea Mangalore
land, where the Southwest Monsoon is at its heaviest, Locator Map
and where Arab merchants, drawn by the monsoon Extent of Area
winds, came to trade long before the Europeans.

Harvesting ripe
paddy is a full-time Paddy Cultivation
occupation for the In wet paddy cultivation, seedlings are raised in a nursery and then
entire village. transplanted in waterlogged fields when they are 30 cm (12 in) high.

Pepper, cashew and
betel nut are some of
the major cash crops
that this region grows
in abundance.

A rubber plantation bungalow is
festooned with strips of cured
rubber hanging out to dry.

Fisherfolk of the Coast
Coastal people belong to different communities, speak their
own dialects and celebrate local festivals. Strong and hard-
working, they are ruled by natural forces.

A basket of freshly caught fish is
Fishermen prepare their boats before they cast off just before carried to the shore to be sold
dawn. The boats return by late morning. directly to waiting customers.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.3)
Date 18th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm