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.
No comments:
Post a Comment