Kerala backwaters

The backwaters are a branched network of waterways in the hinterland of the Malabar Coast in the South Indian state of Kerala. They extend from Kochi in the north to Kollam in the south on a total area of ​​1900 km ².

Waters

The backwaters comprise 29 larger lakes and lagoons, rivers and a total of 44 round 1500 kilometers partly natural, partly artificial channels.

The largest lake is 83 km long, the Arabian Sea towards open Vembanadsee. Other large bodies of water are the Ashtamudi and Kayamkulamsee.

41 of the 44 rivers that run through the backwaters, flowing west to the Arabian Sea, three flow to the east.

Ecosystem

The backwaters are due to the high population density, a heavily embossed man-made ecosystem today. The original vegetation of the humid forests and mangroves had to give mainly coconut and rubber plantations. In some areas, such as in the fertile lowlands Kuttanad, also rice is grown. Rice grows only in fresh water. Therefore, barriers were built, for example, near Kumarakom and Kayankulam. They prevent the salt water can mix with the fresh water. The fresh water is used extensively for irrigation.

The mostly slow-moving, brackish waterways are exposed to an increasing pollution from agrochemicals, industrial effluents, waste and sewage. Crocodiles and many species of migratory fish are already extinct. In contrast, water hyacinths are spreading unchecked. In many places die aquatic plants, food source for many fish, lack of light in overgrown channels from.

Another problem is the increasing constriction of the backwaters by humans. Since the mid 19th century, the backwaters are shrunk to about one-third of its original size. Cause is partly illegal draining of waters for the recovery of agricultural land and settlement of space. So shrank alone the Vembanad lake of 230 km ² at once now only 179 km ².

Relevance to humans

Agriculture

The backwaters are intensively used for agriculture. Coconut, rubber, rice and cashew nut trees are the main crops. Coconut fibers are mostly still hand-finished. In addition, fishing and farming are important. Many agricultural areas were obtained similarly as in the Netherlands by diking flat Seeabschnitte. The land lying below sea level need to constantly be drained.

Traffic routes

For centuries the backwaters serve as trade and transport routes. For goods transport, the locals use the particular Kettuvallam called traditional barges. On many channels also regular ferries.

Tourism

For several years, the importance of backwaters takes as a popular tourist destination especially for foreign tourists is steadily increasing. From Kollam, Alappuzha and Kottayam from more hour boat trips are offered. In Kollam and Alappuzha, you can also rent houseboats converted Kettuvallam for a long time. In some villages Kathakali performances are regularly organized for visitors.

Typical picture at the channel edge: resident in the wash

A barge with a cargo of limestone