Introduction
Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives and beautiful backwaters. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, have made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
What is special about Kerala backwaters?
The scenic backwaters of Kerala comprise a serene stretch of lakes, canals and lagoons located parallel to the coast of the Arabian Sea. The backwater regions of Kerala are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The tranquil backwater cruises are a once in a lifetime experience.
Which is famous for its backwaters?
When it comes to the best backwater destination in Kerala, it has to be Trivandrum. The network of canals, lagoons, lakes, and tropical vegetarian forests closely resemble a watery paradise. The biggest backwater here is Vembanad Lake, which is around 200sq. km in area.
Why Kerala backwaters are called so?
The place is called backwaters because the lake water is actually fresh river water that comes down from the river and is then used for the paddy fields whenever the need be, and later the lake water as it goes ahead, merges with the ocean in Kochi.
What are the problems faced by backwaters?
Over the years, a variety of challenges have affected the backwaters and threatened the ecosystem, such as contamination from pesticides that farmers use in paddy fields, dumping of chemical emissions from factories and sewage from cities, unregulated sand dredging for construction, and in recent decades, the tourism .
What are backwaters called?
backwater is a part of a river in which there is little or no current. It can refer to a branch of a main river, which lies alongside it and then rejoins it, or to a body of water in a main river, backed up by the sea tide or by an obstruction such as a dam.
Why backwaters are formed?
The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. The backwaters have a unique ecosystem: freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea.
Which is the biggest backwater?
Vembanad lake is the largest inland backwater lake in South India, and its the main fascinating spectacular spot that tops always in Keralas Tourism attractions list.
What backwaters mean?
Meaning of backwater in English
a part of a river where the water does not flow: We tied the boat up in a quiet backwater overnight. disapproving. a place that does not change because it is not influenced by new ideas or events that happen in other places: He grew up in a rural backwater.
Are backwaters safe?
The water in the Kerala backwaters Alleppey and Kumarokom is not suitable for swimming. 230,160 liters of wastewater reaches the largest lake in the Backwaters each day. Plus, 26.9% of water sources in Kerala are completely polluted and 46.1% are partly polluted, according to the Fauna Journal.
Conclusion
Backwaters in Kerala is a network of 1500 km of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. Backwaters is one of the major tourism product of Kerala, being unique to the state.