The Kerala backwaters are a network of

brackish Brackish water, sometimes termed brack water, is water occurring in a natural environment that has more salinity than freshwater, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing seawater (salt water) and fresh water together, as in estu ...

lagoon A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by a narrow landform, such as reefs, barrier islands, barrier peninsulas, or isthmuses. Lagoons are commonly divided into ''coastal lagoons'' (or ''barrier lagoons'') a ...

s and canals lying parallel to the

Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea ( ar, اَلْبَحرْ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ, Al-Bahr al-ˁArabī) is a region of the northern Indian Ocean bounded on the north by Pakistan, Iran and the Gulf of Oman, on the west by the Gulf of Aden, Guardafui Channel ...

of the

Malabar coast The Malabar Coast is the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing m ...

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

state in south-western

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. It also includes interconnected lakes, rivers, and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than of waterways, and sometimes compared to bayous. 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 island Barrier islands are coastal landforms and a type of Dune, dune system that are exceptionally flat or lumpy areas of sand that form by wave and tidal action parallel to the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of anything fro ...

s across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. 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. There are 34 backwaters in Kerala. Out of it, 27 are located either closer to

or parallel to the sea. The remaining 7 are inland navigation routes. The backwaters have a unique ecosystem: freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. A barrage has been built near

Thanneermukkom Thanneermukkom is a village in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. Geography It is located at . a beautiful place in alappuzha. Location Thanneermukkom is on the banks of Lake Vembanad. There is a salt water barrier at Thanneermukkom, b ...

, 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 Irrigation (also referred to as watering) is the practice of applying controlled amounts of water to land to help grow Crop, crops, Landscape plant, landscape plants, and Lawn, lawns. Irrigation has been a key aspect of agriculture for over 5,00 ...

purposes. Many unique species of aquatic life including

crab Crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" (abdomen) ( el, βραχύς , translit=brachys = short, / = tail), usually hidden entirely under the thorax. They live in all the ...

frog A frog is any member of a diverse and largely Carnivore, carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order (biology), order Anura (ανοὐρά, literally ''without tail'' in Ancient Greek). The oldest fossil "proto-f ...

s and mudskippers, water birds such as

tern Terns are seabirds in the family Laridae that have a worldwide distribution and are normally found near the sea, rivers, or wetlands. Terns are treated as a subgroup of the family Laridae which includes gulls and skimmers and consists of e ...

kingfisher Kingfishers are a family, the Alcedinidae, of small to medium-sized, brightly colored birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species found in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Oceania, ...

darter The darters, anhingas, or snakebirds are mainly tropical waterbirds in the family Anhingidae, which contains a single genus, ''Anhinga''. There are four living species, three of which are very common and widespread while the fourth is rarer and ...

s and cormorants, and animals such as

otter Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic, or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes wea ...

s and

turtle Turtles are an order of reptiles known as Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira (hidden necked tu ...

s live in and alongside the backwaters.

Palm Palm most commonly refers to: * Palm of the hand, the central region of the front of the hand * Palm plants, of family Arecaceae **List of Arecaceae genera * Several other plants known as "palm" Palm or Palms may also refer to: Music * Palm (ba ...

trees,

pandanus ''Pandanus'' is a genus of monocots with some 750 accepted species. They are palm-like, dioecious trees and shrubs native to the Old World tropics and subtropics. The greatest number of species are found in Madagascar and Malaysia. Common names ...

shrubs, various leafy plants, and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape. Kerala Backwaters Sunset

Hydrography

National Waterway 3 The West Coast Canal or National Waterway No 3 is a long inland navigational route located in Kerala, India, which runs from Kollam to Kottapuram. It was declared a National Waterway in 1993. In addition to the main stretch, Champakara and ...

from

Kollam Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city i ...

to Kottappuram, covers a distance of and runs almost parallel to the coastline of southern Kerala facilitating both cargo movement and backwater tourism.Ayub, Akber (ed), ''Kerala: Maps & More'', ''Backwaters'', 2006 edition 2007 reprint, pp. 40-53, Stark World Publishing, Bangalore,

Vembanad Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest lake in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of 96.5 km. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Ve ...

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

Kuttanad Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്‌) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...

. The important rivers from north to south are the

Valapattanam Valapattanam is a census town in the Kannur district, located in the Indian state of Kerala. It is also the smallest panchayat in Kerala. Its area is 2.04 sqr Km. It is about 7 km north of Kannur. Valapattanam is known for its communal harm ...

Chaliyar Chaliyar River is the fourth longest river in Kerala at 169 km in length. The Chaliyar is also known as Chulika River, Nilambur River or Beypore River as it nears the sea. Pothukal, Chungathara, Nilambur, Mampad, Edavanna, Kavanoor, P ...

, Kadalundipuzha ,

Bharathappuzha Bharathappuzha ("River of Bhārata"), also known as the Nila or Ponnani River, is a river in India in the state of Kerala. With a length of 209 km, it is the second longest river that flows through Kerala after the Periyar. It flows throu ...

Chalakudy Chalakudy is a municipal town situated on the banks of Chalakudy River in Thrissur district of the Kerala state in India. It is the headquarters of Chalakudy taluk. It is the base camp for travellers to Athirappilly Falls and Vazhachal Falls. ...

Periyar Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), revered as Periyar or Thanthai Periyar, was an Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam. He is known as the ' ...

, Pamba ,

Achankovil Achankovil is a 128 km long west flowing river in Kerala, India, which flows through Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts. The river drains vast tract of fertile plains of Upper Kuttanad in the Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta district ...

Meenachil Meenachil is the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi, the Hindu Goddess. Pala is the main city in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil. Geogra ...

, and Kalladayar . 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 Lake Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest lake in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of 96.5 km. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Ve ...

is the longest backwater in Kerala, as well as the longest lake in India. The

Kochi Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...

city,

Kumarakom Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam (), in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in the state of Kerala. History Kuma ...

, and

Pathiramanal Pathiramanal ( ml, പാതിരാമണൽ) is a small island in Muhamma panchayat of Alappuzha district located in Vembanad Lake. The name ''Pathiramanal'' means 'midnight sand'. The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as th ...

Island are located in this long backwater. The

Vellayani Lake Vellayani Lake, or ''Vellayani Kayal'' as known in local language, is the largest fresh water lake in Thiruvananthapuram district, of Kerala, India. Location It is around 9 km away from the Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Station at Thampa ...

, the

Pookode Lake Pookode Lake is a scenic freshwater lake in the Wayanad district in Kerala, South India. A major tourist destination in the district, Pookode is a natural freshwater lake nestling amid evergreen forests and mountain slopes at an elevation of 770 ...

, and the

Sasthamcotta Lake Sasthamcotta Lake or Sasthamkotta Lake, also categorized as a wetland, is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, a state of India on the south of the West Coast. The lake is named after the ancient Sastha temple (a pilgrimage centre) located ...

are the freshwater lakes in Kerala.

Sasthamcotta Sasthamkotta, or Sasthamcotta, is a village in the Kunnathoor Tehsil of Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India. Kunnathoor taluk headquarters is located at Sasthamkotta. The Sasthamkotta freshwater lake is the largest freshwater lake ...

is the largest among them. The Kerala backwaters host three of the world’s

Ramsar Convention The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites (wetlands). It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It i ...

-listed

wetland A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded or saturated by water, either permanently (for years or decades) or seasonally (for weeks or months). Flooding results in oxygen-free (anoxic) processes prevailing, especially in the soils. The ...

Ashtamudi Lake Ashtamudi Lake (''Ashtamudi Kayal''), in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala, is the most visited backwater and lake in the state. It possesses a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) ...

Sasthamkotta Lake Sasthamcotta Lake or Sasthamkotta Lake, also categorized as a wetland, is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, a state of India on the south of the West Coast. The lake is named after the ancient Sastha temple (a pilgrimage centre) located ...

, and the Vembanad-Kol wetlands are noted as being

wetlands of international importance A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention,8 ha (O) *** Permanent 8 ha (P) *** Seasonal Intermittent < 8 ha(Ts) **

Kettuvallam Kettuvallam is a houseboat widely used in the Indian state of Kerala. These have thatched roof covers over wooden hulls.Ayub, Akber (ed), ''Kerala: Maps & More'', ''Backwaters'', 2006 edition 2007 reprint, p. 47, Stark World Publishing, Bang ...

'' (Kerala houseboats) in the backwaters are one of the prominent tourist attractions in Kerala. More than 2,000 of these ply the waterways. The Kerala government has classified the tourist houseboats as platinum, gold, and silver. The ''Kettuvallam'' were traditionally used as grain barges, to transport the rice harvested in the fertile fields alongside the backwaters. Thatched roof covers over wooden hulls, in length, providing protected 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. ''Ketuvallam'' are motorised but generally proceed at a slow speed for smooth travel. All ''Ketuvallam'' have a generator and most bedrooms are air-conditioned. At times, as per the demand of customers, electricity is switched off and lanterns are provided to create a rural setting Kerala-Backwaters Alppuzha

Beypore Beypore or Beypur (formerly Beypoor) is an ancient port town and a locality town in Kozhikode district in the state of Kerala, India. It is located opposite to Chaliyam, the estuary where the river Chaliyar empties into Arabian Sea. Beypore is ...

, located south of

Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second l ...

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. The

Kerala State Water Transport Department Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is a governmental department that regulates the inland navigation systems in the Indian state of Kerala and provides inland water transport facilities. It stands for catering to the traffic needs ...

operates ferries for passengers as well as tourists. It is the cheapest mode of transport through the backwaters.

Resorts

Ashtamudi lake Ashtamudi Lake (''Ashtamudi Kayal''), in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala, is the most visited backwater and lake in the state. It possesses a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) ...

, which was a sleepy destination for years, has been transformed into a busy tourist destination with plush resorts around the Lake and the backwaters.

Impact on ecosystem

The unregulated proliferation of motorised

houseboat A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Most houseboats are not motorized as they are usually moored or kept stationary at a fixed point, and often tethered to land to provide utilities. How ...

s in the lakes and backwaters has raised concerns regarding the adverse impact of

pollution Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy (such as radioactivity, heat, sound, or light). Pollutants, the ...

from

diesel engine The diesel engine, named after Rudolf Diesel, is an internal combustion engine in which ignition of the fuel is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to mechanical compression; thus, the diesel engine is a so-call ...

s and

outboard motor An outboard motor is a propulsion system for boats, consisting of a self-contained unit that includes engine, gearbox and propeller or jet drive, designed to be affixed to the outside of the transom. They are the most common motorised method ...

s 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 the 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 Coir (), also called coconut fibre, is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, and mattresses. Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell an ...

industry.

Edappal malappuram(district) kerala infia

Kuttanad region is crisscrossed with waterways that run alongside extensive paddy fields, as well as fields of

cassava ''Manihot esculenta'', common name, commonly called cassava (), manioc, or yuca (among numerous regional names), is a woody shrub of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, native to South America. Although a perennial plant, cassava is extensively ...

, banana and yam. The crops are grown on the low-lying ground and irrigated with fresh water from the canal and waterways connected to

lake.

Palakkad Palakkad (), formerly known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery is a city and municipality in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the Palakkad District. Palakkad is most densely populated municipal ...

, the granary of Kerala, lies on the bank of

river.

Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands (Malayalam: തൃശൂർ-പൊന്നാനി കോൾ പാടങ്ങൾ) is a wetland lying in Thrissur and Malappuram districts in Kerala, India. It gives 40 per cent of the Kerala’s rice requi ...

are fertile.

Ponnani Ponnani () is a municipality in Ponnani Taluk, Malappuram District, in the state of Kerala, India. It serves as the administrative center of the Taluk and Block Panchayat of the same name. It is situated at the estuary of Bharatappuzha (Riv ...

Kole Wetlands lie on the bank of Biyyam backwater. The area is similar to the

dikes Dyke (UK) or dike (US) may refer to: General uses * Dyke (slang), a slang word meaning "lesbian" * Dike (geology), a subvertical sheet-like intrusion of magma or sediment * Dike (mythology), ''Dikē'', the Greek goddess of moral justice * Dikes ...

of the Netherlands, where land has been reclaimed from the sea and crops are grown.

Ecological significance

Vembanad Wetland is included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the

for the conservation and sustainable utilization of

Boat races

Chundan vallams or snake boats are narrowboats over long, with a raised prow that stands 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 Vallam kali ('' vaḷḷaṃ kaḷi'', literally: boat game) also known as Snake Boat Race is a traditional boat race in Kerala, India. It is a form of canoe racing, and uses paddled war canoes. It is mainly conducted during the season of t ...

(boat race). Each Chandan vallam accommodates about a hundred muscular oarsmen. 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 Kerala boatrace

The boat races starts with

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is one of the oldest vallam kali (snake boat race) (after the Aranmula Boat Race) in Kerala state of south India. The race is held on the Pamba River, River Pamba on Moolam day (according to the Malayalam Era M.E ...

which is held on the

Pamba River The Pamba River (also called Pampa River) is the longest river in the Indian state of Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha, and the longest river in the erstwhile former princely state of Travancore. Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayy ...

in the village

Champakulam Champakulam is a village in Kerala, India. It is in Alappuzha district. Champakulam is part of Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, and is resplendent in green paddy fields, coconut groves and water fowl. Champakulam is an important tourist spo ...

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 the Moolam Boat Race. When

Jawaharlal Nehru Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (; ; ; 14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964) was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat— * * * * and author who was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20t ...

visited Kerala in 1952, four traditional Chandan valloms went to receive him. A snake boat race was organized 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 the 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,

Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali The Aranmula Boat Race the oldest river boat festival in Kerala, the south western State of India is held during Onam (August–September). It takes place at Aranmula, near Sri Parthasarady Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna in Path ...

Payippad Jalotsavam Payippad Vallaarattu, or Jalotsavam, is a three-day water festival conducted in Payippad Lake, 6 km from Haripad of Kerala state in south India. There is a close relation between this ''Payippadu Vallam Kali'' and Haripad Sree Subrahmanya S ...

kallada Boat Race The Kallada Jalotsavam (കല്ലട ജലോത്സവം)is a popular Vallam Kali (boat race) held on the Kallada River at Munroe Thuruthu on 28 days after Onam (28 aam Onam) in Indian state of Kerala. The boat race is conducted along th ...

and

Kumarakom Boat Race The Sree Narayana Jayanthi Vallam Kali or Boat Race, at Kumarakom, Kerala is held in September every year during Onam festival. More than 1,000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and shapes participate. Even though snake boats participate in thi ...

Backwater regions

Kuttanad

Important in the ancient history of South India, Kuttanadu is a region spanning the Alappuzha and

Kottayam Kottayam () is a municipal town in the Indian state of Kerala. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. It is the district headquarters of Kottayam district, located in south- ...

districts; it is well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region is the lowest lying of any 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, and it is well known for its boat races.

, the largest lake in Kerala is at the heart of Backwater tourism, with hundreds of

kettuvallams Kettuvallam is a houseboat widely used in the Indian state of Kerala. These have thatched roof covers over wooden hulls.Ayub, Akber (ed), ''Kerala: Maps & More'', ''Backwaters'', 2006 edition 2007 reprint, p. 47, Stark World Publishing, Bang ...

plying it and with numerous resorts on its banks. The

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary) is situated at Kumarakom in Kottayam taluk of Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala, on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Set in the Kerala Backwaters, the bird sanctuary is vis ...

is located on the east coast of the lake. The major occupation in Kuttanadu is farming, with rice the most important agricultural product; it is the major rice producer in the state. 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 The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)french: link=no, Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture; it, Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite per l'Alimentazione e l'Agricoltura is an intern ...

(FAO) of the United Nations formally declared the below-sea-level farming system in Kuttanad as

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads the programme Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), which helps identify ways to mitigate threats faced by these systems and their people and enhance the ...

(GIAHS).

Kollam

(earlier known as Quilon) was one of the leading trade centres of the ancient world, eulogised by travellers such as

Ibn Battuta Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battutah (, ; 24 February 13041368/1369),; fully: ; Arabic: commonly known as Ibn Battuta, was a Berbers, Berber Maghrebi people, Maghrebi scholar and explorer who travelled extensively in the lands of Afro-Eurasia, ...

and

Marco Polo Marco Polo (, , ; 8 January 1324) was a Venetian merchant, explorer and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. His travels are recorded in ''The Travels of Marco Polo'' (also known as ''Book of the Marv ...

. 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. Sasthamcotta Kayal, the large freshwater 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,

. Most of these islands are potential tourism spots in the

state State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ...

. The

Indian Railways Indian Railways (IR) is a statutory body under the ownership of Ministry of Railways, Government of India that operates India's national railway system. It manages the fourth largest national railway system in the world by size, with a tot ...

also planning to develop one of the islands in

for a tourism project. There are big as well as small islands which are inhabited and uninhabited by human beings. There are more than 15 islands in

. The important islands in

are:

Munroe Island Munroe Island (Malayalam : മണ്‍റോത്തുരുത്ത്) or Mundrothuruthu is an inland island group located at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River, in Kollam district, Kerala, South India. It is a ...

Chavara Thekkumbhagom Chavara Thekkumbhagom or ''Chavara South'' is a village in Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. Notable people * V.Sambasivan - a performer of the art Kadhaprasangam. written by himself and Othello by Shakespeare. See also * Koll ...

* 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

Paravur Estuaries lie near to the south-western coast of

. The place is world-famous for its natural beauties, backwater locations, white-sand beaches and concentration of temples in every square kilometer. The peninsula of Paravur is one of the most visited in

Kollam district Kollam district (), (formerly Quilon district) is one of 14 districts of the state of Kerala, India. The district has a cross-section of Kerala's natural attributes; it is endowed with a long coastline, a major Laccadive Sea seaport and an in ...

. Both north and south tips of Paravur town have both peninsula and estuary.

Pozhikara Pozhikkara or Pozhikara is the Western border town of the Paravur municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala state in India. It is located at the South-Western tip of Kollam's coastal area. It is in the Arabian Sea coast. Pozhikara is a ...

is north and

Thekkumbhagam Thekkumbhagam or Thekkumbhagom is the southern border town of Paravur municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and de ...

is south of Paravur. One more estuary mouth in

, which is very close to

Devi Temple, which has breached in 2014 under the supervision of Water Resources Department (WRD), after a long gap of 14 years.

Munroe Island

Munroethuruth or

is a place surrounded by Kallada River,

and

, 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.

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" ried coconut Among the routine traditional engagements, duck, poultry farm and prawn breeding are common in all houses.

Thiruvananthapuram

Vellayani Lake

It is one of the freshwater lakes in Kerala. It is located in the city of

Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...

, which is also Kerala's administrative headquarters. It is located nearer to

Kovalam Kovalam is a region in the city of Trivandrum, around 13 km southwest of the city center, whose beaches are a tourist destination. Etymology Kovalam means " coconut grove," after the coconut trees which are common there. History Koval ...

beach.

Thiruvallam

Thiruvallam backwaters are just 6 km from

, the state capital. Known for its canoe rides, Thiruvallam is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. Two rivers, the Killi and the

Karamana Karamana is a suburb of Thiruvananthapuram (formerly and often still known as Trivandrum), the capital city of Kerala, India. It is one of the most densely populated but green parts of Thiruvananthapuram. The land is serviced by the Karamana Riv ...

, 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 Aakkulam is a region in Trivandrum city, the capital of Kerala state in India. It is about 10 km from Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Ke ...

Boat club, which offers boating cruises on Akkulam Lake and a park for children, is also a popular tourist attraction near Thiruvallam.

Wayanad

Pookode Lake

Wayanad Wayanad () is a district in the north-east of Indian state Kerala with administrative headquarters at the municipality of Kalpetta. It is the only plateau in Kerala. The Wayanad Plateau forms a continuation of the Mysore Plateau, the southern ...

is home to one of the state's freshwater lakes -

. It is also one of the 7 inland navigation backwaters in Kerala.

Panamaram Panamaram is a village in Wayanad district in the state of Kerala, India. Demographics India census, Panamaram had a population of 11651 with 5891 males and 5760 females. Panamaram River Panamaram River is a tributary of the Kabani Rive ...

, the rivulet which ultimately becomes

Kabani River The Kabini River is one of the major tributaries of the river Cauvery in southern India. It originates near Kavilumpara in Kozhikode district of Kerala state by the confluence of the Panamaram River and the Mananthavady River. It flows eastw ...

, originates from the Pookode lake. It is spread across an area of 8.5 hectares and with a maximum depth of 6.5 metres.

Kannur

Kavvayi backwater is a stunningly beautiful backwater destination tucked away near

Payyannur Payyanur, , is a municipal town and a taluk, a sub-district administrative unit, in the Kannur district of Kerala, India. On 10 March 2018, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated Payyanur as the fifth taluk in the district. Payyan ...

in the district of

Kannur Kannur (), formerly known in English as Cannanore, is a city and a municipal corporation in the state of Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur district and situated north of the major port city and commercial hu ...

. Kavvayi Backwaters form the biggest wetland in north

. With its five rivers, the Kavvayi River, and its tributaries- Kankol, Vannathichal, Kuppithodu, and Kuniyan – flows together to form the Kavvayi kayal. Adorned with many small islands, a relaxing boat ride in these waters is the best way to enjoy the mesmerizing greenery of the surroundings.

Kasargod

Kasargod Kasaragod () is a municipal town and administrative headquarters of Kasaragod district in the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1966, Kasaragod was the first municipal town in the district. It is the northernmost district of Kerala and ...

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 has situated 4 km to the southeast of Kasargod town and takes tourists to the historic Chandragiri fort.

Valiyaparamba Valiyaparamba (Malayalam: ''വലിയപറമ്പ'') is a coastal island in Hosdurg taluk, Kasaragod district, Kerala state, India. Location Valiyaparamba is separated from the mainland by Kavvayi Backwater. It is located southwest of ...

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.

Kozhikode

(also known as Calicut) has backwaters which are largely unexplored by tourist hordes. Elathur, the Canoly Canal and the

Kallayi River Kallayi is one of the rivers in Kerala, India. It originates in Cherikkulathur in the Western Ghats, at an elevation of and is long. It is linked to the Chaliyar by a man-made canal on the south side of the small timber village of Kallayi lyi ...

are favourite haunts for boating and cruising.

Korapuzha Korapuzha, also known as Elathur River, is a short river of , with a drainage area of , flowing through the Kozhikode district of Kerala state in India. It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Akalapuzha and Punoor puzha which origina ...

, the venue of the Korapuzha Jalotsavam, is a popular water sports destination.

Malappuram

The coastal region of

Malappuram Malappuram (also Malapuram) () is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of including the surrounding suburban areas. The first municipality in the district formed in 1970, Malappuram serves as the administrative headquarter ...

contains the backwaters like Biyyam, Manoor, Veliyankode, Kodinhi, etc. Biyyam backwater which lies south of

river (which is also the second longest river of Kerala) is the largest among them. Biyyam backwater and Conolly Canal together empties into

near

Puthuponnani Puthuponnani is coastal locality in Ponnani taluk of Malappuram district in the state of Kerala, India. Description Puthuponnani borders the Arabian sea to the west and the Canoli Canal to the east. Puthuponnani is administratively under Ponn ...

promontory.

Literature

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

Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (17 April 1912 – 10 April 1999), popularly known as Thakazhi after his place of birth, was an Indian novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature. He wrote over 30 novels and novellas and over 7 shor ...

, (1912–1999), the Padmabhusan and

Jnanpith The Jnanpith Award is the oldest and the highest Indian literary award presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their "outstanding contribution towards literature". Instituted in 1961, the award is bestowed only on Indian w ...

and Sahitya Akedemi award-winning writer, was born in Thakazhi village in Alappuzha district. He wrote in Malayalam. His novel ''

Chemmeen ''Chemmeen'' () is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language romance film, based on the novel of the same name by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. It was adapted into a screenplay by S. L. Puram Sadanandan, directed by Ramu Kariat, and produced by Babu Is ...

'' has been translated into most Indian languages and several foreign languages.

Arundhati Roy Suzanna Arundhati Roy (born 24 November 1961) is an Indian author best known for her novel ''The God of Small Things'' (1997), which won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997 and became the best-selling book by a non-expatriate Indian author. S ...

(born 1961) was brought up in Ayemenem near Kottayam, and her Booker-Prize-winning ''

The God of Small Things ''The God of Small Things'' is a family drama novel written by Indian writer Arundhati Roy. Roy's debut novel, it is a story about the childhood experiences of fraternal twins whose lives are destroyed by the "Love Laws" prevalent in 1960s Ker ...

'' is set in Kerala.

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 An autograph is a person's own handwriting or signature. The word ''autograph'' comes from Ancient Greek (, ''autós'', "self" and , ''gráphō'', "write"), and can mean more specifically: Gove, Philip B. (ed.), 1981. ''Webster's Third New Inter ...

and Kannada movie

My Autograph ''My Autograph'' is a 2006 Kannada-language romantic drama film which was directed, produced and enacted by Sudeep in his first directorial venture. Along with him, this film starred Meena (actress), Meena, Sridevika, Deepa Bhaskar, Deepu, and Ra ...

* Crucial scenes in Tamil movie

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa ''Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa'' () is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, starring Silambarasan and Trisha. Jointly produced Elred Kumar, Jayaraman, VTV Ganesh and P. Madan under the ban ...

and its remakes in Hindi

Ekk Deewana Tha ''Ekk Deewana Tha'' () is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, featuring Prateik Babbar, Amy Jackson (her Hindi debut), and Manu Rishi in lead roles. The film is a remake of Menon's ow ...

, Telugu

Ye Maaya Chesave ''Ye Maaya Chesave'' () is a 2010 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The film stars Naga Chaitanya and Samantha in her debut. It was produced by Manjula Ghattamaneni under the banner Indir ...

* Song "Jiya jale" and Scenes in Hindi movie Dil Se.. * Hindi movie Tashan * Hindi film Alone * Tamil movie

Kuselan ''Kuselan'' is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language dramedy film directed by P. Vasu. An official remake of the Malayalam film ''Kadha Parayumbol'' (2007), it was produced by Pushpa Kandaswamy, Aswani Dutt and G. P. Vijayakumar in two languages. ''Kusel ...

Photo gallery

Image:Photos taken from a boat ride along the Kavvayi backwaters, Payyannur, Kannur (79).jpg, Kavvayi Backwaters,

Image:Paravur backwaters & beaches.jpg, Estuary in Paravur Image:Kerala Water Transport DS.jpg, Public Transport Boat service in Kerala Image:Around Alappuzha backwaters Kerala.jpg,

Backwaters Image:Kadaloondi puzha.jpg, Estuary in

Kadalundi Kadalundi is a village in Kozhikode district, Kerala, India. It is a coastal village close to the Arabian Sea. Kadalundi is famous for its bird sanctuary, which is home to various migratory birds during certain seasons and has been recently decla ...

Vallikkunnu Vallikkunnu is a village in Tirurangadi Taluk of Malappuram district in the state of Kerala, India with an area of 25 km2. It is located 5 km north of Parappanangadi town and comes under the jurisdiction of Parappanangadi Police Sta ...

border Image:Puthuponnani (2).JPG,

promontary Image:House Boat View DSW.jpg,

Houseboats A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Most houseboats are not motorized as they are usually moored or kept stationary at a fixed point, and often tethered to land to provide utilities. Ho ...

on Kerala water-ways Image:C1common (16).jpg, Kerala Backwaters Image:Tvm-veli-akkulam-backwaters3.jpg, Lagoon at Veli -

stretch,

Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...

Image:Paravur Lake, Kollam - An evening scene.jpg, An evening view of

Paravur Lake Paravur Kayal is a lake in Paravur, Kollam district, Kerala, India. Although it is small, with an area of only 6.62 km², it is the end point of the Ithikkara River and part of the system of lakes and canals that make up the Kerala Backw ...

, City of

Image:Tvm-veli-backwaters2.jpg, Veli Lake and Backwaters,

Image:Kerala backwater.jpg, Backwater in Ashamudi Lake Image:Kerala Backwaters Cricket.JPG, Children play cricket in a narrow stretch along the backwaters Image:Cherai Lagoon1.jpg, Lagoon near the

Cherai Beach Cherai Beach is a beach located in Cherai in the northern side of Vypin Island, a suburb of the city Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. One of the most visited beaches in the state, it is situated at around 25 km (15 mi) from downtown Koc ...

Ernakulam Ernakulam () is the Central Business District of the city of Kochi in Kerala, India and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Many major establishments, including the Kerala High Court, the office of the Kochi Municipal Corporation a ...

Image:Cherai Lagoon2.jpg, Lagoon near the

Image:Kerala backwater 20080218-11.jpg, A boat in a canal near

lake Image:Kerala Backwaters Tour.JPG, Boats Image:Kerala Backwaters, India.JPG, Local villagers

References

Notes

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kerala Backwaters Tourism in Kerala Estuaries of India Ramsar sites in India Landforms of Kerala Lagoons of India Water transport in Kerala