Kerala Backwaters and Tourism

Kerala’s backwater system is one of the most unique geographical features in India and a favourite topic in Kerala PSC exams. These notes cover the physical geography, major lakes, tourism infrastructure, and responsible tourism initiatives.

What Are Backwaters?

Backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons, lakes, rivers, canals, and estuaries lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast of Kerala. They are formed by the combined action of waves, shore currents, and river flow. The total length of the backwater system is approximately 1,500 km.

Key characteristics:

• Brackish water — mix of fresh river water and saline sea water
• Connected to the sea through narrow openings called azhis (bar mouths)
• Tidal influence — water levels fluctuate with tides
• Support unique ecosystems including mangroves, mudflats, and wetlands

Major Backwater Lakes of Kerala

Lake	District(s)	Area (approx.)	Key Facts
Vembanad Lake	Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam	~2,033 sq km (includes wetland system)	Largest lake in Kerala; longest lake in India; Ramsar site (2002)
Ashtamudi Lake	Kollam	~61 sq km	Second largest backwater lake; octopus-shaped (8 arms); Ramsar site (2002)
Sasthamcotta Lake	Kollam	~3.7 sq km	Largest freshwater lake in Kerala; drinking water source
Paravur Lake	Kollam	~9 sq km	Southernmost backwater lake in Kerala
Kayamkulam Lake	Alappuzha	~59 sq km	NTPC thermal plant on its shore
Kuttanad	Alappuzha	—	Below sea level farming region; “Rice Bowl of Kerala”

Vembanad Lake — Detailed Facts

Feature	Details
Also known as	Punnamada Lake (Alappuzha portion), Kochi Lake
Length	~96 km
Ramsar Site Number	1214 (designated 19 November 2002)
Islands	Includes Pathiramanal, Perumbalam, Pallippuram
Nehru Trophy Boat Race	Held on Punnamada Lake (second Saturday of August)
Thanneermukkom Bund	Saltwater barrier across Vembanad; separates saline and freshwater portions
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary	On eastern shore (Kottayam district)
Willingdon Island	Artificial island in Vembanad — Kochi port located here

Other Important Kerala Lakes

Lake	Type	District	Key Fact
Mananchira	Freshwater	Kozhikode	Historic tank in city centre
Pookode Lake	Freshwater	Wayanad	Highest freshwater lake in Kerala (770 m elevation)
Enamakkal Lake	Freshwater	Idukki	Known for volcanic gas emissions (historically)
Chithari Lake	Backwater	Kasaragod	Northernmost backwater lake

Ramsar Sites in Kerala

Site	Year Designated	District
Vembanad-Kol Wetland	2002	Alappuzha-Kottayam-Ernakulam
Ashtamudi Wetland	2002	Kollam
Sasthamcotta Lake	2002	Kollam

Houseboats (Kettuvallam)

The traditional rice boats of Kerala (Kettuvallam — literally “boat tied together”) have been converted into floating hotels for tourists.

Feature	Details
Origin	Traditional cargo boats used to transport rice and spices
Material	Jack wood planks, coconut fibre ropes, cashew nut shell oil coating
No nails	Traditionally assembled without iron nails
Major hub	Alappuzha (Alleppey) — called “Venice of the East”
Other hubs	Kumarakom, Kollam, Kochi
Regulation	Kerala Tourism Department classifies houseboats (Gold, Silver, Diamond categories)

Responsible Tourism (RT) in Kerala

Kerala launched the Responsible Tourism Initiative in 2008, making it a pioneer in India.

Aspect	Details
Launch year	2008 (pilot in Kumarakom)
Expanded	2012 — RT Mission formed
Objective	Sustainable tourism benefiting local communities
Key principles	Minimize environmental damage; maximize local economic benefit; respect local culture
Model villages	Kumarakom, Kovalam (initially); now expanded statewide
Awards	UNWTO Ulysses Award (2013) for RT initiative

Key RT Initiatives

• Kudumbashree linkage — local women’s self-help groups provide food, handicrafts
• Community-based tourism — villages offer homestays, cultural experiences
• Eco-tourism — Thenmala (India’s first planned eco-tourism destination, Kollam)
• Green Protocol — waste-free tourism events

Kerala Tourism — Important Facts

Item	Details
Tourism tagline	”God’s Own Country” (since 1989, coined by Walter Mendez for a campaign)
Tourism department	Under Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC)	Established 1966
Major tourism seasons	October–February (peak), Monsoon tourism (June–September)
First state with tourism policy	Kerala (1995)

Important Backwater Boat Races

Race	Location	Month	Key Fact
Nehru Trophy Boat Race	Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha	August (2nd Saturday)	Most famous; started 1952
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race	Champakulam, Alappuzha	June-July (Moolam day)	Oldest boat race in Kerala
Aranmula Uthrattathi Boat Race	Aranmula, Pathanamthitta	August-September	Associated with Onam; Palliyodam boats
President’s Trophy Boat Race	Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam	November	Named for President’s Trophy
Payippad Jalothsavam	Payippad Lake, Alappuzha	August-September	3-day event

Kuttanad — Below Sea Level

Feature	Details
Elevation	0.6 to 2.2 metres below sea level
Significance	One of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level
Crop	Rice (Puncha rice cultivation — December to May)
UNESCO recognition	Kuttanad Farming System designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in 2013
Districts	Parts of Alappuzha and Kottayam

Waterways — National Waterway 3

Feature	Details
Designation	NW-3 (National Waterway No. 3)
Route	Kollam to Kottapuram (Thrissur)
Length	205 km
Declared	1993 (third national waterway declared in India)
Operated by	Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

PSC Expected Questions

1. Largest lake in Kerala — Vembanad
2. Largest freshwater lake in Kerala — Sasthamcotta
3. First planned eco-tourism destination in India — Thenmala
4. “Venice of the East” — Alappuzha
5. National Waterway 3 — Kollam to Kottapuram (205 km)
6. Kuttanad Farming — below sea level, GIAHS recognized
7. Oldest boat race — Champakulam Moolam
8. Ramsar sites in Kerala — 3 (Vembanad-Kol, Ashtamudi, Sasthamcotta)
9. Thanneermukkom Bund — separates salt and fresh water in Vembanad
10. Kettuvallam — traditional rice boat converted to houseboat