ALAPPUZHA: The bird flu has hit the toddy business in Kuttanad with many houseboat owners stopping the supply of the brew along with duck dish to the tourists. According to local toddy shop owners in Punnamada, an average of 700 litres of toddy was being sold for foreign tourists from 15 toddy shops daily with each shop selling some 30 litres earlier. J. Jinu, owner of a toddy shop at Punnamada, said the industry had suffered a major jolt with the ban on duck curry from the shops in Kuttanad.
“We had tie-up with 25 houseboats for serving duck curry. But many of them have withdrawn from the contract,” he added. Previously, all toddy shops had witnessed heavy rush of tourists seeking toddy and duck meat. “But for the last couple weeks, there are few takers,” said M. B. Dhanesh, another owner of a toddy shop here. The district administration is yet to lift the ban imposed on the movement of ducks and their products. Moreover, the culling has been extended by forming more rapid response teams. These factors have contributed to the rumours on the bird flu spreading and affecting the duck business, according to the shop owners.
