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A house Boat View from Vembanad Lake

Map of Backwaters in Kerala

The Kerala backwaters are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast (known as the Malabar Coast) of Kerala state in southern India. The network includes five large lakes linked by canals, both man made and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.

The Kerala Backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km of waterways, and sometimes compared to the American Bayou.^[3] In the midst of this landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises.^[4]National Waterway 3 from Kollam to Kottapuram, covers a distance of 205 km and runs almost parallel to the coastline of southern Kerala facilitating both cargo movement and backwater tourism.^[5]
The important rivers for north to south are the Valapattanam (110 km.), Chaliyar (169 km.), Kadalundipuzha (130 km.), Bharathappuzha (209 km.), Chalakudy (130 km.), Periyar (244 km), Pamba (176 km), Achankovil (128 km.) and Kalladayar (121 km.). Other than these, there are 35 more small rivers and rivulets flowing down from the Ghats. Most of these rivers are navigable up to the midland region, in country crafts.

Vembanad is the largest of the lakes, covering an area of 2033 km². The lake has a large network of canals that meander through the region of Kuttanad.

The backwaters have a unique ecosystem: freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. A barrage has been built near Thanneermukkom, so salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.^[5][6]

Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants, and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.^[6]

Sunset in the backwaters

Kerala backwaters in the Kuttanad area

Tourism

Kerala was ranked as one of the "50 destinations of a lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler in a special collectors' issue released just before the turn of the millennium, with houseboat and backwater resort tourism in Alappuzha seen as leading factors.^[7]

Houseboats

A backwater in the Kollam region, c.a. 1913

House Boat on Vembanad lake

The kettuvallams (Kerala houseboats) in the backwaters are one of the prominent tourist attractions in Kerala. More than 2000 kettuvallams ply the backwaters.^[8] The Kerala government has classified the tourist houseboats as platinum, gold and silver.

The kettuvallams were traditionally used as grain barges, to transport the rice harvested in the fertile fields alongside the backwaters. Thatched roof covers over wooden hulls, 100 feet (30 m) in length, provided protection from the elements. At some point in time the boats were used as living quarters by the royalty. Converted to accommodate tourists, the houseboats have become floating cottages having a sleeping area, with western-style toilets, a dining area and a sit out on the deck. Most tourists spend the night on a houseboat. Food is cooked on board by the accompanying staff – mostly having a flavour of Kerala. The houseboats are of various patterns and can be hired as per the size of the family or visiting group. The living-dining room is usually open on at least three sides providing a grand view of the surroundings, including other boats, throughout the day when it is on the move. It is brought to a standstill at times of taking food and at night. After sunset, the boat crew provide burning coils to drive away mosquitoes. Ketuvallams are motorised but generally proceed at a slow speed for smooth travel. All ketuvallams have a generator and most bedrooms are air-conditioned. At times, as per demand of customers, electricity is switched off and lanterns are provided to create a rural setting^[5][6]

A launch wades through water hyacinth in an Alappuzha canal

Beypore, located 10 km south of Kozhikode at the mouth of the Chaliyar River, is a famous fishing harbour, port and boatbuilding centre. Beypore has a 1,500-year tradition of boatbuilding. The skills of the local shipwrights and boatbuilders have widely sought after.

Ferry services

Regular ferry services connect most locations on both banks of the backwaters.^[5] The Kerala State Water Transport Department operates ferries for passengers as well as tourists. It is the cheapest mode of transport through the backwaters.

Resorts

Resort at Kumarakom

Ashtamudi lake, which was a sleepy destination for years, has been transformed into a busy tourist destination with plush resorts around the Lake and the backwaters.^[5]

Impact on ecosystem

The unregulated proliferation of motorised houseboats in the lakes and backwaters has raised concerns regarding the adverse impact of pollution from diesel engines and outboard motors on the fragile ecosystem.

Economic significance

Connected by artificial canals, the backwaters form an economical means of transport, and a large local trade is carried on by inland navigation. Fishing, along with fish curing, is an important industry.

Kerala backwaters have been used for centuries by the local people for transportation, fishing and agriculture. The region has supported the efforts of the local people to earn a livelihood. In more recent times, agricultural efforts have been strengthened with reclamation of some backwater lands for rice growing, particularly in the Kuttanad area. Boat-making has been a traditional craft, so has been the coir industry.^[6]

Paddy fields in the Kuttanad region

Kuttanad region is crisscrossed with waterways that run alongside extensive paddy fields, as well as fields of cassava, banana and yam. The crops are grown on the low-lying ground and irrigated with fresh water from canal and waterways connected to Vembanad lake. The area is similar to the dikes of the Netherlands, where land has been reclaimed from the sea and crops are grown.^[9]

Ecological significance

Vembanad Wetland is included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.^[10]

Boat races

Chundan vallams or snake boats are narrow boats over 100 feet (30 m) long, with a raised prow that stands 10 feet (3.0 m) above water and resembles the hood of a snake. Traditionally these were used by local rulers to transport soldiers during waterfront wars. In modern times, it has spawned a new sport – the Vallam Kali (boat race). Each chundan vallam accommodates about a hundred muscular oarsmen.^[5]

Boat races are occasions of great excitement and entertainment with thousands gathered on the banks to watch and cheer. Most of these races are held in the Kuttanad Region^[5]

Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali

The boat races starts with Champakulam Moolam Boat Race which is held on the Pamba River in the village Champakulam on Moolam day (according to the Malayalam Era M.E) of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple. Very interesting stories lie behind the origin of Moolam Boat Race.

When Jawaharlal Nehru visited Kerala in 1952, four traditional chundan valloms went to receive him. A snake boat race was organised for him. He was so impressed that when he went back to Delhi, he sent back a gleaming silver trophy for a boat race. Even today, the 1.5 km Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most prestigious.

The Thazhathangadi boat race held every year on Meenachil river, at Thazhathangadi, Kottayam is one of the oldest and most popular boat races in the state.

Other renowned boat races are: Indira Gandhi Boat Race, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali, Payippad Jalotsavam, kallada Boat Race and Kumarakom Boat Race.

Backwater regions

Kuttanad

A houseboat - Scene from Nedumudi, Kuttanad

Kuttanadu is a region covering the Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lowest altitude in India, and is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried around 1.2 to 3.0 metres (4 to 10 ft) below sea level. Four of Kerala's major rivers, the Pamba, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala flow into the region. Kuttanadu is historically important in the ancient history of South India and is the major rice producer in the state. It is also well known for its boat races.

Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala is at the heart of the Backwater tourism with hundreds of kettuvallams plied on it and numerous resorts on its banks. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located on the east coast of the lake. The lake has become a major tourist attraction

The major occupation in Kuttanadu is farming, with rice the most important agricultural product. This activity gives the area its moniker of "The Rice Bowl of Kerala". Large farming areas near Vembanad Lake were reclaimed from the lake. In 2013 the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations formally declared the below sea-level farming system in Kuttanad as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).^[11]

Kollam

A houseboat - Scene from Thevally, Kollam

Kollam (earlier known as Quilon) was one of the leading trade centres of the ancient world, eulogised by travellers such as Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo. It is also the starting point of the backwater waterways. The Ashtamudi Kayal, known as the gateway to the backwaters, covers about 30 per cent of Kollam.^[5] Sasthamcotta Kayal, the large fresh water lake is 28.5 km from Kollam city.

Islands of Kollam

Islands are the eye-catching factors as well as the beauty of Lake Ashtamudi, Kollam. Most of these islands are potential tourism spots in the state. The Indian Railways also planning to develop one of the islands in Kollam for a tourism project.^[12] There are big as well as small islands which are inhabited and uninhabited by human beings. There are more than 15 islands in Ashtamudi Lake. The important islands in Kollam are:^[13]

Aerial view of Ashtamudi backwaters

• Munroe Island


• Chavara Thekkumbhagom


• St. Sebastian Island


• San Thome Island


• Our Lady of Fatima Island


• Pezhumthuruth


• Kakkathuruth


• Pattamthuruth


• Paliyanthuruthu (Palliyamthuruthu)


• Neettum thuruth


• Puthenthuruth


• Poothuruth


• Pannaykkathuruth


• Veluthuruth


• Neeleswaram thuruth

Estuaries of Paravur

Estuary at Paravur Thekkumbhagam

Paravur Estuaries lie near to the south-western coast of Kollam.^[14] The place is world-famous for its natural beauties, backwater locations, white-sand beaches and concentration of temples in every square kilometer.^[15] The peninsula of Paravur is one of the most visited in Kollam district. Both north and south tips of Paravur town have both peninsula and estuary. Pozhikara is north and Thekkumbhagam is south of Paravur.^[14][16] One more estuary mouth in Pozhikara, which is very close to Pozhikara Devi Temple, which has breached in 2014 under the supervision of Water Resources Department (WRD), after a long gap of 14 years.^[17]

Munroe Island

Munroethuruth or Munroe Island is a place surrounded by Kallada River, Ashtamudi Lake and Sasthamkotta Lake in Kollam district, Munroe Island is a cluster of eight tiny islands, Blessed with a number of criss-cross canals and zigzag water channels, this Island plays a host to many migratory birds from various
countries around the world. You can watch birds such as Kingfisher, Woodpecker, Egret, Bee-eater, Crow pheasant, and Paddy Birds. There is yet another rare chance to see the traditional Indian spice plants such
as Pepper, Nutmeg and Cloves.([1])

The first community tourism programme in the State will start functioning from the MunroeThuruthu islands. Coir making is a
home industry to almost all the village living people. It is very interesting to watch the coir making by the village ladies with the help of weaving Wheels. They make the coir ropes by hand. In addition to this, on the way, you can see the process of extracting coconut oil from the "copra" [dried coconut]. Among the routine traditional engagements, duck, poultry farm and prawn breeding are common in all houses.

Kasargod

Kasargod in north Kerala is a backwater destination, known for rice cultivation, coir processing and lovely landscape, it has the sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the north and east. Cruise options are Chandragiri and Valiyaparamba near Kavvayi Backwater. Chandragiri is situated 4 km to the southeast of Kasargod town and takes tourists to the historic Chandragiri fort. Valiyaparamba is a scenic backwater stretch near Kasargod. Four rivers flow into the backwaters near Kasargod and there are many small islands along these backwater stretches, where birds can be seen.

Thiruvallam

Thiruvallam backwaters are just 6 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. Known for its canoe rides, Thiruvallam is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. Two rivers, the Killi and the Karamana, come together at Thiruvallam. Not far from Thiruvallam is the Veli Lagoon, where there are facilities for water sports, a waterfront park and a floating bridge. The Akkulam Boat club, which offers boating cruises on Akkulam Lake and a park for children, is also a popular tourist attraction near Thiruvallam.

Kozhikode

Kozhikode (also known as Calicut) has backwaters which are largely unexplored by tourist hordes. Elathur, the Canoly Canal and the Kallayi River are favourite haunts for boating and cruising. Korapuzha, the venue of the Korapuzha Jalotsavam, is a popular water sport destination.

Literature

Two prominent writers in the region are Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and Arundhati Roy.

Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, (1912–1999), the Padmabhusan and Jnanpith and Sahitya Akedemi award-winning writer, was born in Thakazhi village in Alappuzha district.^[18] He wrote in Malayalam. His novel Chemmeen has been translated into most Indian languages and several foreign languages.

Arundhati Roy (born 1961) was brought up in Ayemenem near Kottayam, and her Booker-Prize-winning The God of Small Things is set in Kerala.^[19]

Movies

A number of movies were filmed in the backwaters around Alleppey and other parts of the state.

• Numerous Malayalam movies

Some other major movies include

• Most scenes of Tamil movie Autograph and Kannada movie My Autograph
  


• Crucial scenes in Tamil movie Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and its remakes in Hindi Ekk Deewana Tha, Telugu Ye Maaya Chesave
  


• Song "Jiya jale" and Scenes in Hindi movie Dil Se..
  


• Hindi movie Tashan (film)
  


• Hindi film Alone
  


• Tamil movie Kuselan
  

Photo gallery

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  Estuary in Paravur
  

  
  

  
  


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  Public Transport Boat service in Kerala
  

  
  

  
  


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  Kerala Backwaters.
  

  
  

  
  


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  Houseboats on Kerala water-ways.
  

  
  

  
  


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  Kerala Backwaters.
  

  
  

  
  


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  Lagoon at Veli - Akkulam stretch, Trivandrum.
  

  
  

  
  


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  An evening view of Paravur Lake, City of Kollam
  

  
  

  
  


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  Veli Lake and Backwaters, Trivandrum.
  

  
  

  
  


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  Backwater in Ashamudi Lake
  

  
  

  
  


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  Sunset in the backwaters
  

  
  

  
  


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  Children play cricket in a narrow stretch along the backwaters
  

  
  

  
  


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  Lagoon near the Cherai Beach in Ernakulam
  

  
  

  
  


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  Lagoon near the Cherai Beach in Ernakulam
  

  
  

  
  


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  A boat in a canal near Vembanad lake
  

  
  

  
  


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  Boats
  

  
  

  
  


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  Local villagers
  

  
  

  
  

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kerala Backwaters.

• 
  Kerala backwaters travel guide from Wikivoyage

Coordinates: 9°51′49″N 76°21′34″E / 9.86348°N 76.3594°E / 9.86348; 76.3594