Backwaters in the coastal zone of Kerala form an attractive feature. They include lakes, rivers estuaries, canals and sea-inlets. These different types of backwater-bodies stretch irregularly along the Kerala coast. A navigable waterway stretches from Trivandrum in the south to Tirur in north Kerala (Malabar), a 400 km long inland navigation route, which was very important till toads and motor vehicles arrived in the 20th century.
The backwaters zone along the coastal belt throbs with its own unique culture. The canals around the deltas of rivers interlock the backwaters and provide excellent water transportation in the lowlands.
The biggest backwater body is the Vembanad Lake, which opens into the Arabian Sea, at Cochin harbour. The important backwaters are (from South to North): Veli, Kadimamkulam, Anjengo, Edava & Madayara ( in Thiruvananthapuram District) ,Paravoor, Ashtamude and Kayamkulam (in Kollam District), Lake Vembanad (in the three central districts of ALappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam), Kodungallor back waters (in ERnakulam district) and Chowara lake (in Thrissur district).
Among the backwater bodies in Malabar (North Kerala), the ones at Kozhikode, Valapattanam and Bakel-Valiamparamba, have cruise features.
Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. 41 west-flowing rivers and 3 east-flowing rivers cut Kerala cross with their tributaries and estuaries. The rivers are small and short because Kerala is a narrow land. Being fed by monsoon rains, the rivers mostly dry up during the dry season in the upper areas and the water level in the lowland backwaters come down, allowing salty sea water to flow in. Sea fish also come with it into the backwaters.
Perhaps the best point to begin a tour of the Kerala backwaters is Alappuzha nicknamed 'Venice of the East' because of intricate maze of backwaters, canals and bridges. A boat voyage through the lowlands of Alappuzha district (Known as Kuttanad) takes tourists along canals, where the level of water is often higher than that of the green rice fields on both sides. Those farm lands are below sea-level, and cultivation is done after draining water by pumping up into the backwaters.
Backwater cruising is very popular among tourists. On cruise trips, scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of lush greens and deep blues. The gorgeous green of the rice fields and the coconut trees as well as the blue color of the sky and the water, soothe the eyes and exhilarate the mind and soul.
Tourists can journey from Alappuzha up to Kochi in the north and up to Kollam in the South on houseboats or speedboats, along lakes Vembanad, Kayamkulam & Ashtamudi.
The peculiar geographical features of the backwater region in central Kerala, have made Alappuzha district and the neighboring districts, the favorite venue for houseboat cruising. |
