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{{
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
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| designation2_number = 1214<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vembanad-Kol Wetland|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1214|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>
}}
[[File:House Boat DSW.jpg|thumb|A
[[File:Kerala Backwaters.png|thumb|Map of
The '''Kerala backwaters''' are a network of [[brackish]] [[lagoon]]s and
The backwaters have a unique ecosystem: freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. A [[Barrage (dam)|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.<ref name = "Book"/><ref name = "Backwater1">{{cite web |title=Backwaters in Kerala |url=http://www.keralabackwater.com/kerala-backwaters-travel/backwaters-in-kerala.html |date=2015 |website=Kerala Backwater |publisher=Kerala Backwater Pvt. Ltd. |access-date=25 April 2015}}</ref> Many unique species of aquatic life including [[crab]]s, [[frog]]s and [[mudskipper]]s, water birds such as [[tern]]s, [[kingfisher]]s, [[darter]]s and [[cormorant]]s, and animals such as [[otter]]s and [[turtle]]s live in and alongside the backwaters. [[Arecaceae|Palm]] trees, [[pandanus]] shrubs, various leafy plants, and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.<ref name = "Backwater1"/>
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==Hydrography==
[[National Waterway 3 (India)|National Waterway 3]] from [[Kollam]] to [[
[[Vembanad Lake]] is the longest backwater in Kerala, as well as the longest lake in India.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=342}} The [[Kochi]] city, [[Kuttanad]], [[Kumarakom]], and [[Pathiramanal]] Island are located in this long backwater.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=342}} The [[Vellayani Lake]], the [[Pookode Lake]], and the [[Sasthamcotta Lake]] are the freshwater lakes in Kerala.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=342}} [[Sasthamcotta Lake|Sasthamcotta]] is the largest among them.{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=342}} The Kerala backwaters host three of the world’s [[Ramsar Convention]]-listed [[wetland]]s: [[Ashtamudi Lake]], [[Sasthamkotta Lake]], and the [[Vembanad Lake|Vembanad-Kol wetlands]] are noted as being [[List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance|wetlands of international importance]].{{sfn|Chandran|2018|p=342}}
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=== Houseboats ===
[[File:Backwater Malabar 1913.JPG|thumbnail|right|A backwater in the [[Kollam]] region, c
[[File:KumarakomHouseBoat.jpg|thumbnail|right|
[[File:Kerala Houseboat (191490747).jpeg|thumbnail|A
The [[kettuvallam]]s (Kerala houseboats) in the backwaters are one of the prominent tourist attractions in Kerala. More than 2000 kettuvallams ply the backwaters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Abraham |first=Tanya |title=Eco-friendly boats to ply backwaters |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005103101070300.htm&date=2005/10/31/&prd=mp& |date=31 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520163825/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005103101070300.htm&date=2005%2F10%2F31%2F&prd=mp& |archive-date=20 May 2009 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=20 October 2015 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> 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, {{convert|100|ft|m}} 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. 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 the demand of customers, electricity is switched off and lanterns are provided to create a rural setting<ref name = "Book"/><ref name = "Backwater1"/>▼
[[File:Kerala-Backwaters Alppuzha.JPG|right|thumb |A launch wades through water hyacinth in an Alappuzha canal]]▼
▲The
[[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.▼
▲[[File:Kerala-Backwaters Alppuzha.JPG|right|thumb |A launch wades through water hyacinth in
▲[[Beypore]], located {{convert|10
===Ferry services===
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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]] industry.<ref name = "Backwater1"/>
[[File:Kerala
[[File:Edappal malappuram(district) kerala infia.jpg|thumbnail|[[Paddy field]] at [[Edappal]], on the bank of Biyyam backwater, [[Ponnani]]]]
Kuttanad region is crisscrossed with waterways that run alongside extensive paddy fields, as well as fields of [[cassava]], [[banana]] and [[Yam (vegetable)|yam]]. The crops are grown on the low-lying ground and irrigated with fresh water from the canal and waterways connected to [[Vembanad]] lake. [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]], the granary of Kerala, lies on the bank of [[Bharathappuzha]] river. [[Thrissur Kole Wetlands|Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands]] are fertile. [[Ponnani]] Kole Wetlands lie on the bank of Biyyam backwater. The area is similar to the [[Dike (construction)|dikes]] of the Netherlands, where land has been reclaimed from the sea and crops are grown.<ref name = "Backwater3">{{cite web | url = http://www.keralabackwater.com/kerala-backwaters-travel/backwaters-in-kerala.html | title = Kuttanad Bacwaters | access-date = 2007-12-31 | publisher = Kerala Backwater}}</ref>
==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
==Boat races==
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[[File:Kerala boatrace.jpg|thumb|right|[[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.
When [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] visited Kerala in 1952, four traditional
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. In 1956, emperor of Ethiopia, [[Haile Selassie]] visited Thazhathangadi during his imperial tour of India, and witnessed the boat race. Subsequently winners of the race were given the Haile Selassie Ever rolling trophy.
Other renowned boat races are: Indira Gandhi Boat Race, [[Champakulam Moolam Boat Race]], [[Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali]], [[Payippad Jalotsavam]], [[
==Backwater regions==
===Kuttanad===
[[File:A view of Kuttanad..കുട്ടനാട്, ഒരു ദൃശ്യം.jpg|thumb|right|A houseboat - Scene from Nedumudi, [[Kuttanad]]]]
[[File:
Important in the ancient history of South India, Kuttanadu is a region
[[Vembanad Lake]], the largest lake in Kerala is at the heart of
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]] (FAO) of the United Nations formally declared the below-sea-level farming system in Kuttanad as [[Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems]] (GIAHS).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-article/heritage-status-kuttanad/455 |title=FAO Heritage Status to Kuttanad |access-date=2016-12-22 |website=Kerala Tourism}}</ref>
===Kollam===
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====Islands of Kollam====
{{Main|Islands of Kollam}}
Islands are the eye-catching factors as well as the beauty of [[Ashtamudi Lake|Lake Ashtamudi]], [[Kollam]]. Most of these islands are potential tourism spots in the [[Kerala|state]]. The [[Indian Railways]] also planning to develop one of the islands in [[Kollam]] for a tourism project.<ref>{{cite
[[File:A top view of Ashtamudi backwaters.jpg|right|thumb|Aerial view of [[Ashtamudi Lake|Ashtamudi backwaters]]]]
* [[Munroe Island]]
* [[Chavara Thekkumbhagom]]
* Perungalam
* St. Sebastian Island
* San Thome Island
* Pezhumthuruth
* [[Kakkathuruth]]
* Pattamthuruth
* Paliyanthuruthu (''Palliyamthuruthu'')
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{{Main|Estuaries of Paravur}}
[[Estuaries of Paravur|Paravur Estuaries]] lie near to the south-western coast of [[Kollam]].<ref name=Vishaw2007>{{cite web |last=Vishaw |title=Estuaries of India |url=http://www.indianofficer.com/topic/2152-estuaries-of-india/ |date=7 December 2007 |website=Indian Officer |access-date=25 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403064149/http://www.indianofficer.com/topic/2152-estuaries-of-india/ |archive-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> The place is world-famous for its natural beauties, backwater locations, white-sand beaches and concentration of temples in every square kilometer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paravurmunicipality.in/ml/history |title=Paravur Municipality |access-date=16 March 2015 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010082406/http://www.paravurmunicipality.in/ml/history |url-status=dead }}</ref> The peninsula of [[Paravur, Kollam|Paravur]] is one of the most visited in [[Kollam district]]. Both north and south tips of [[Paravur, Kollam|Paravur]] town have both peninsula and estuary. [[Pozhikara]] is north and [[Thekkumbhagam]] is south of [[Paravur, Kollam|Paravur]].<ref name=Vishaw2007/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaeng.org/publication/WCE2009/WCE2009_pp694-699.pdf |title=Impact of Sea-Sand Filling in the Paravur-Kappil Backwaters, Southern Kerala with Special Reference to Phytoplankton Productivity |access-date=16 March 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite
===Munroe Island===
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===Malappuram===
The coastal region of [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] contains the backwaters like Biyyam, Manoor, [[Veliyankode]], Kodinhi, etc. Biyyam backwater which lies south of [[Bharathappuzha]] river (which is also the second longest river of Kerala) is the largest among them. Biyyam backwater and [[Conolly Canal]] together empties into [[Arabian Sea]] near [[Puthuponnani]]
==Literature==
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[[Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai]], (1912–1999), the Padmabhusan and [[Jnanpith Award|Jnanpith]] and [[Sahitya Akademi Award|Sahitya Akedemi]] award-winning writer, was born in Thakazhi village in [[Alappuzha district]].<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.india9.com/i9show/Thakazhi-Sivasankara-Pillai-26060.htm | title = Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai | access-date = 2007-12-31 | publisher = india9.com}}</ref> 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 [[
==Movies==
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Image:Photos taken from a boat ride along the Kavvayi backwaters, Payyannur, Kannur (79).jpg|[[Kavvayi Backwaters]], [[Kannur district|Kannur]]
Image:Paravur backwaters & beaches.jpg|Estuary in [[Paravur, Kollam|Paravur]]
Image:Kerala Water Transport DS.jpg|Public
Image:Around Alappuzha backwaters Kerala.jpg|[[Kerala]] Backwaters
Image:Kadaloondi puzha.jpg|Estuary in [[Kadalundi]]-[[Vallikkunnu]] border
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Image:Kerala Backwaters Tour.JPG|Boats
Image:Kerala Backwaters, India.JPG|Local villagers
File:A Houseboat in Backwaters of Kerala.jpg|A Houseboat in Backwaters of Kerala
File:A Houseboat In Kerala Backwaters.jpg|A Houseboat In Kerala Backwaters
File:Kerala Backwaters at Dawn.jpg|Kerala Backwaters at Dawn
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[List of dams and reservoirs in Kerala]]
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==Notes==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book|title=Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus - 2019
{{refend}}
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