Ashtamudi Estuary (Ramsar site No 1204) on the South-west coast of India is the second largest Estuary of Kerala. This Palm shaped waterbody has eight prominent arms and they confluence with Sakthikulangara to the Arabian Sea through a permanent opening at Neendakara, which is one of the most important fishing harbours of India. The major waterbody flowing into the Estuary is the Kallada River. The surrounding areas of this Estuary are thickly populated and highly urbanized which leads to excessive human interference and environmental degradation subsequently.

Eight arms of Ashtamudi estuary.

1.    Ashtamudi  Kayal

2.    Kadapuzha Kayal

3.    Kandachira Kayal

4.    Kanjirottu Kayal

5.    Kumbalathu  Kayal

6.    Kuripuzha Kayal

7.    Munrothuruttu Kayal

8.    Thekkumbhagum Kayal

Kallda River

The Kallada River originating from the Western Ghats at an elevation of 1100 m above mean sea level enters into the Ashtamudi estuary from the north-east. The major tributaries of Kallada River are Kulathupuzha, Chendurni and Kalthuruthy. The average annual runoff from the river system into the estuary is reported to be 76 cubic kilometers of freshwater into the Ashtamudi. The Kallada River bifurcates into two arms at Muthiraparambu and one of its arms joins Ashtamudi at Arinalloor and the other at Munrothuruth/Manakkadavu region

 

The bridges of the Ashtamudi Lake

There are many islands on this lake inhabited by people. The bridges have played a great role in the social and educational progress of the people of the islands as with the people of an main land.There are several bridges across this lake connecting its banks and its lslands together and the banks to the islands. They are Neendakara Bridge, Dalavapuram bridge, Pavumpa bridge, Perumon bridge, Pezhumthuruth bridge, Thevally bridge etc.

The Islands of the Ashtamudi Lake

The islands of the Ashtamudi lake are among the major factors which contribute to the beauty of the lake. There are big as well as small islands which are inhabited and uninhabitated by human beings. The remarkable islands include Munrothuruth, Pezhumthuruth, Pattamthuruth, Neettum thuruth, Puthenthuruth, Poothuruth, Pannaykkathuruth, Veluthuruth, Neeleswaram thuruth, Palliyam thuruthu etc.