Ashtamudi Lake

About

Ashtamudi Lake (Ashtamudi Kayal, ml: "അഷ്ടമുടിക്കായൽ" ), in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala is a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) water body. It is second only in size to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state. Ashtamudi means 'eight hills or peaks' (Ashta : 'eight'; mudi : 'peaks') in the local Malayalam language. The name is indicative of the lake's topography with its multiple branches. The lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is well known for its houseboat and backwater resorts. Ashtamudi Wetland was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. Ashtamudi Estuary is the deepest among all the estuaries in Kerala, with a maximum depth of 6.4 meters at the confluence zone.

Along both banks of the lake and its backwater canals, coconut groves and palm trees interspersed with towns and villages are seen. Kollam, (formerly Quilon) is an important historic port city located on the right bank of the lake. Boat cruises are operated by the Kollam Boat Club from Kollam to Alappuzha providing transport access to many other towns and villages along this route. Chinese fishing nets, called cheena vala in Malayalam, are used by local fishermen and are a common sight along the waterway. The lake and the city of Kollam on its banks and the Neendakara port at the confluence offer a means of transport for the state's trade and commerce in the cashew trading and processing industry as well as the marine products industry. The lake is the source of livelihood of many people living close by. Fishing, coconut husk retting for coir production and inland navigation services are the prominent businesses. The lake and the life on its shores have inspired many artists and writers. It has been the subject of many poems by the renowned poet Thirunalloor Karunakaran who was born and brought up on its banks.

Kandachira Kayal serves as the southern arm of Ashtamudi Lake, connecting three panchayats: Panayam, Thrikadavoor, and Mangadu. According to data from the Panayam Village Office, the catchment area of Kandachira Kayal is approximately 20 hectares and 10 ares. The Kayal area extends to Kandachira, Panayam, Kadavoor, Thrikadavoor, Anchalumood, Thevalli, Ashramam, and reaches the southern side of the KSRTC bus stand in Kollam. A significant quantity of municipal waste finds its way into the lake through the canal that traverses the southern and eastern regions of Kollam Town. Uliyakovil Kadavu, IInd Milestone, Kavanadu Kadavu, Mangadu Kadavu, Mangadu, Mangadu North, West of Kandachira Church, Kandachira, Road Kadavu Kandachira, Kaippana Kayalvaram, Vettuvila, Muttathumoola Kadavu, Kottilukada, Kuthirakkada, Venkekkara, KadavoorMurunthal, chirayil

Kureepuzha Kayal of Ashtamudi Estuary is often likened to the "Loch Lomond" of Kerala due to its resemblance to Loch Lomond in Britain. It is the busiest kayal in the Ashtamudi estuarine system as it is part of the National Waterway and serves as the only route to Kollam town from Neendakara. The Kollam Corporation waste dumping yard is situated on the left bank of Kureepuzha Kayal (Mammoottilkadavu). Kottayathukadavu, Kochukottayathukadavu, Pandonni Kadavu, Kadavoor West, Mukkadayil, Thonippurakkal, Chamavila, Panamukkam, Thevadanathu Kayalvaram, Kureepuzha, Mamoottilkadavu Kureepuzha, Pathinettampadi Kadavu, Ayiravalli Temple, Aravila Kadavu, Malayante Kayalvaram, AiKadavu, Mundante Kadavu, Kuppana Erakkukadavu, Poovanthazham Temple, Chandakadavu, Vanvila, Oalikara, Thekkechirayil, Kanjaveli, Pochayil Kayalvaram, Challikkuzhi Kayalvaram, Gosthalakavu Kayalvaram, Kollante Kayalvaram, Panavila, Mukkekadavu, Pallikkadavu, Prakkulam, Sambranikodi, Neendakara, Sakthikulangara, Kallumpurathukadavu, Kaikkara Kadavu, Kallayyathu Kadavu, Kinattummoottil Kadavu, Mukkad Kadavu, Mukkad Pallikadavu, Kaniyan Kadavu, Aravila, Kavanad, Mamoottilkadavu North, Mamoottilkadavu, Kureepuzha, Kollam, Erattakadavu, Manalilkadavu, Kollam, Kaithavaram, Thoppilkadavu, Njanakshethram

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.