Kerala

Kerala at a Glance

• State Formation: November 1, 1956
• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
• Major Cities: Kochi (Cochin), Kozhikode (Calicut), Thrissur, Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kollam (Quilon)
• Population: Approximately 35 million (as of 2021)
• Official Language: Malayalam
• Literacy Rate: Over 96% (one of the highest in India)
• Life Expectancy: Approximately 74.9 years
• Area: 38,863 km²
• Number of Districts: 14

Border with Other State

• Kerala shares its borders with
  • Karnataka to the north and northeast (approx. 660 km),
  • Tamil Nadu to the east and southeast (approx. 373 km) and
  • the Arabian Sea in its western coast (approx. 590 km).

State Formation

• The demand for states to be reorganized on a linguistic basis gained momentum across India. Kerala’s demand was for a state for Malayalam speakers.
• The States Reorganization Commission, appointed in 1953, recommended the formation of the Kerala state by merging Malabar, Travancore-Cochin, and the Kasaragod region of South Canara.
• On 1st November 1956, Kerala was officially formed, incorporating Malabar (from Madras State), Travancore-Cochin, and the Kasaragod region.
• The city of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) was designated as the state capital.
• The state was named Kerala, a name derived from its historical roots in the ancient Chera Kingdom and the Malayalam language.

Geography and Physiographic Regions

Physiographic Regions

• The Coastal Plains:
  • Backwaters: Kerala’s backwaters, a network of brackish lagoons, lakes, and canals, are a hallmark of its geography. The Vembanad Lake is the largest of these backwaters, stretching across several districts.
  • Beaches: The coastal plains feature numerous sandy beaches such as Kovalam, Varkala, and Cherai.

• The Western Ghats:
  • Mountains: This region includes the high ranges of the Western Ghats, with peaks like Anamudi (2,695 meters), the highest peak in South India.
  • Hill Stations: Munnar, Wayanad, and Ponmudi are popular hill stations.

• The Midlands:
  • Undulating Terrain: The midlands lie between the coastal plains and the high ranges, featuring undulating terrain, fertile valleys, and lush vegetation.

National Parks

Kerala boasts several national parks, which play a crucial role in conserving its rich biodiversity.

• Periyar National Park:
  • Location: Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts
  • Area: 925 square kilometers
  • Flora and Fauna: Known for its elephants, tigers, and the Periyar Lake, a man-made reservoir.

• Eravikulam National Park:
  • Location: Idukki district
  • Area: 97 square kilometers
  • Flora and Fauna: Home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and the unique Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once every 12 years.

• Silent Valley National Park:
  • Location: Palakkad district
  • Area: 89.52 square kilometers
  • Flora and Fauna: An undisturbed tropical rainforest harboring rare species like the Lion-tailed Macaque.

Rivers

• Periyar River:
  • Source: Sivagiri Hills, Western Ghats
  • Course: Flows through Idukki and Ernakulam districts
  • Mouth: Arabian Sea at Munambam

• Bharathapuzha (Nila):
  • Source: Anamalai Hills, Tamil Nadu
  • Course: Flows through Palakkad, Thrissur, and Malappuram districts
  • Mouth: Arabian Sea at Ponnani

• Pamba River:
  • Source: Pulachimalai Hill, Western Ghats
  • Course: Flows through Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts
  • Mouth: Vembanad Lake

• Chaliyar River:
  • Source: Elambalari Hills, Western Ghats
  • Course: Flows through Malappuram and Kozhikode districts
  • Mouth: Arabian Sea at Beypore

Waterfalls

Kerala is dotted with numerous waterfalls, many of which are popular tourist attractions.

• Athirappilly Falls:
  • Location: Thrissur district
  • Height: 24 meters
  • Significance: Often referred to as the “Niagara of India.”

• Vazhachal Falls:
  • Location: Near Athirappilly, Thrissur district
  • Height: 20 meters
  • Significance: Situated in the Sholayar ranges, offering scenic beauty.

• Meenmutty Falls:
  • Location: Wayanad district
  • Height: 300 meters
  • Significance: Three-tiered waterfall, accessible through a trek.

Economy

Kerala’s economy is diverse and predominantly based on the service sector, remittances, and agriculture.

• Agriculture: Major crops include coconut, rubber, tea, coffee, and spices such as cardamom and black pepper.

• Fisheries: Fishing is a vital sector, with Kerala being one of the leading states in marine fish production.

• Tourism: The state’s backwaters, hill stations, beaches, and cultural festivals attract millions of tourists annually.

• Remittances: A significant portion of Kerala’s economy is fueled by remittances from Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs), particularly from the Gulf countries.

Dams

Idukki Dam:

• Location: Idukki District, across the Periyar River.
• Type: Arch Dam.
• Height: 168.91 meters.
• Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation.
• Significance: One of the highest arch dams in Asia, it supports the Idukki Hydroelectric Project, Kerala’s largest power station.
• Reservoir: Idukki Reservoir.

Mullaperiyar Dam:

• Location: Idukki District, on the Periyar River.
• Type: Masonry Gravity Dam.
• Height: 53.66 meters.
• Purpose: Irrigation (primarily for Tamil Nadu under a lease agreement).
• Significance: The dam’s control and water distribution have been subjects of inter-state disputes between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Reservoir: Periyar Reservoir.

Malampuzha Dam:

• Location: Palakkad District, on the Malampuzha River.
• Type: Earth-cum-Masonry Dam.
• Height: 37 meters.
• Purpose: Irrigation and water supply.
• Significance: It is the largest irrigation dam in Kerala and a popular tourist destination.
• Reservoir: Malampuzha Reservoir.

Peechi Dam:

• Location: Thrissur District, on the Manali River.
• Type: Masonry Dam.
• Height: 45.7 meters.
• Purpose: Irrigation and drinking water supply.
• Significance: One of Kerala’s oldest dams, providing water to Thrissur city and surrounding areas.
• Reservoir: Peechi Reservoir.

Mattupetty Dam:

• Location: Idukki District, on the Muthirapuzha River.
• Type: Concrete Gravity Dam.
• Height: 83.35 meters.
• Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation and water storage for irrigation.
• Significance: Located in a scenic area near Munnar, it’s a popular tourist spot.
• Reservoir: Mattupetty Lake.

Banasura Sagar Dam:

• Location: Wayanad District, across the Karamanathodu tributary of the Kabini River.
• Type: Earth Dam.
• Height: 38.5 meters.
• Purpose: Irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
• Significance: The largest earth dam in India and the second-largest in Asia, it’s part of the Kuttiyadi Hydroelectric Project.
• Reservoir: Banasura Sagar Reservoir.

Neyyar Dam:

• Location: Thiruvananthapuram District, across the Neyyar River.
• Type: Gravity Dam.
• Height: 56.4 meters.
• Purpose: Irrigation, water supply, and tourism.
• Significance: Located near the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, it’s a hub for wildlife tourism and boating.
• Reservoir: Neyyar Reservoir.

Kakki Dam:

• Location: Pathanamthitta District, on the Kakki River.
• Type: Concrete Gravity Dam.
• Height: 116 meters.
• Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation as part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project.
• Significance: It plays a crucial role in power supply and is surrounded by lush forests.
• Reservoir: Kakki Reservoir.

Pothundi Dam:

• Location: Palakkad District, across the Meenichiladipuzha River.
• Type: Earth Dam.
• Height: 32 meters.
• Purpose: Irrigation and drinking water supply.
• Significance: Notable for its traditional construction using a mixture of jaggery and quicklime.
• Reservoir: Pothundi Reservoir.

Idamalayar Dam:

• Location: Ernakulam District, on the Idamalayar River.
• Type: Concrete Gravity Dam.
• Height: 102.8 meters.
• Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation and irrigation.
• Significance: Supports the Idamalayar Hydro Electric Project, contributing significantly to Kerala’s power supply.
• Reservoir: Idamalayar Reservoir.

Lakes

Vembanad Lake:

• Location: Spans the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam.
• Area: Approximately 2,033 square kilometers.
• Type: Brackish water lagoon.
• Significance:
  • Largest lake in Kerala and the longest in India.
  • Integral to Kerala’s backwater tourism; hosts houseboats and boat races.
  • Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
• Economic and Ecological Role: Supports fishing and agriculture; crucial for the local biodiversity.

Ashtamudi Lake:

• Location: Kollam District.
• Area: Approximately 61.4 square kilometers.
• Type: Brackish water lagoon.
• Significance:
  • Second-largest lake in Kerala.
  • Known for its palm-shaped (octopus-like) water body and houseboat cruises.
  • Also a Ramsar Wetland, supporting rich biodiversity.
• Economic Role: Key for fishing, tourism, and inland navigation.

Sasthamkotta Lake:

• Location: Kollam District.
• Area: Approximately 3.73 square kilometers.
• Type: Freshwater lake.
• Significance:
  • Largest freshwater lake in Kerala.
  • Designated as a Ramsar Wetland.
  • A crucial source of drinking water for the local population.
• Ecological Role: Home to various fish species and supports a rich bird habitat.

Punnamada Lake:

• Location: Alappuzha District.
• Type: Brackish water lagoon, part of Vembanad Lake.
• Significance:
  • Famous for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, attracting tourists worldwide.
  • Central to Alappuzha’s backwater tourism.
• Cultural and Economic Role: Vital for local festivals, tourism, and economy.

Vellayani Lake:

• Location: Thiruvananthapuram District.
• Type: Freshwater lake.
• Significance:
  • Largest freshwater lake in Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Known for its picturesque surroundings and vibrant local festivals.
• Ecological Role: Supports local agriculture and is a habitat for various flora and fauna.

Shasthamkotta Lake:

• Location: Kollam District.
• Type: Freshwater lake.
• Significance:
  • Vital for local water supply.
  • Designated a Ramsar Wetland due to its ecological importance.
• Ecological and Economic Role: Supports fishing, drinking water needs, and diverse ecosystems.

Pookode Lake:

• Location: Wayanad District.
• Type: Freshwater lake.
• Significance:
  • Small, scenic lake in the Western Ghats.
  • Popular tourist spot known for its boating facilities and natural beauty.
• Ecological Role: Surrounded by evergreen forests and home to various wildlife species.

Akkulam Lake:

• Location: Thiruvananthapuram District.
• Type: Freshwater lake.
• Significance:
  • Known for its boating and water sports facilities.
  • Part of the larger Akkulam-Veli Tourist Village.
• Recreational and Economic Role: Major attraction for locals and tourists, supporting local businesses.

Beypore Lake:

• Location: Kozhikode District.
• Type: Brackish water.
• Significance:
  • Famous for the Beypore Port and the traditional shipbuilding industry (Uru).
  • Important for local navigation and trade.
• Economic and Cultural Role: Key for fishing, trade, and heritage tourism.

Kayamkulam Lake:

• Location: Alappuzha District.
• Type: Brackish water.
• Significance:
  • Noted for its role in local aquaculture and agriculture.
  • A part of the backwaters connected to Vembanad Lake.
• Economic Role: Supports fishing and is part of the state’s backwater tourism.

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