Alapuzha

ALAPPUZHA (ALLEPPEY) State: KERALA Country: INDIA Geographical location North Latitudes                                     :           9o 05' & 9o 54' East Longitudes                                    :           76o 17' 30"& 76o 40'. Architect of modern Alappuzha           :           RAJA KESAVA DAS (1745-1799) Carved out of the erstwhile Kottayam and Quilon districts, Alappuzha(Alleppey) district was formed on 17th August, 1957 and consisted initially of seven taluks, namely Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Karthikappally and Mavelikkara. The name Alappuzha is derived from the geographical position and physical features of the place. It means the land between the sea and network of rivers flowing into it. The district is bounded on the north by Kochi and Kanayannur taluks of Ernakulam district, on the east by Vaikom, Kottayam and Changanassery taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks of Pathanamthitta district, on the South by Kunnathur and Karunagappally taluks of Kollam district and on the west by Lakshadweep sea. The present Alappuzha district comprises of six taluks namely Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara. Total area of this district is 1414 sq. kms. The district head quarters is located at Alappuzha. Alappuzha at a glance District Head Quarters : Alappuzha (Alleppey) No of Revenue Divisions:  2 No. of Taluks :6 No of Villages : 91 No. of Blocks :12 No. of Panchayats  : 73 No. Municipalities : 5 No. of Assembly Segments : 11 No. of Parliament Segments :1  (Alappuzha + Part of Mavelikkara) Demography Area- 1,414 Sq.Km. which constitutes 3.64% of the total state area. The population size- 2,105,349 which is 6.61 % of the state population. Population density - 1492 persons per Sq.Km, against 1415 in 1991- retains the first position in the state. Sex-ratio (No. of females per 1000 males) - 1079 , earning 4th position (5th position in 1991 with 1051) Literacy Rate- 93.66 % which earns it the 3rd position in the state.(State Average - 90.92%) Female Literacy rate- 91.14 which again earns 3rd position in the state.(State Average-87.86%) Topography The district is a sandy strip of land intercepted by lagoons, rivers and canals. There are neither mountains nor hills in the district except some scattered hillocks lying between Bharanikkavu and Changannur blocks in the eastern portion of the district. Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad and Karthikappally lie fully in low land region. There is no forest area in this district. CLIMATE The climate is moist and hot in the coast and slightly cool and dry in the interior of the district. The average monthly temperature is 250C. The district also gets the benefit of two outstanding monsoons as in the case of other parts of the state. Hot season - March to May South-west monsoon (Edavappathi) - June to September North-east monsoon (Thulavarsham) - October to November Dry weather - December to February The district has 8 reporting rain gauge stations at Arookutty, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Harippad, Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara and Chengannur as recorded in 1989. The average rainfall in the district is 2763 mm. GEOLOGY The geological formations of the district are classified as : * a belt of crystalline rocks of the archean group * a belt of residual laterite * a narrow belt of warkalli bed of tertiary group * a western most coastal belt of recent deposits The most relevant crystalline rock type is Charnokites. Residual laterite is the resultant product of the in situ alteration of the crystalline rocks. Warkalli beds consist of a succession of variegated clays and sand stone. The coastal belt consists of recent sediments like aluvium, marine and lacustrine. MINERALS & MINING The two most important minerals which occur in large quantities in the district are glass and foundry sand. Lime shell is exploited commercially. High quality sand deposits occur between Alappuzha and Cherthala which form a stretch of 35 Km in length along the western side of Vembanad lake. Large quantities of sand are being mined at Pallipuram for manufacturing sand lime bricks. Vast deposits of lime shell occur in Vembanad lake covering an area of 15 Sq.Km. upto a depth of 8 metres between Pathiramanal and Vaikom. China clay and ordinary clay which occur in various places are used as building materials. The raw material required for granite carving is obtained from Chengannur. Boundaries North – Kochi and Kanayannur Taluks of Ernakulam district East – Vaikom, Kottayam and Changanassery Taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks of Pathanamthitta District South – Kunnathur and Karunagappally of Kollam District West – Lakshadweep ( Arabian ) sea Rivers The district has a network of rivers,canals and backwaters. Manimala, Pampa and Achancovil are the major rivers. Manimala River It originates from Mothavara hills in Kottayam district enters the district at Thalavadi village in Kuttanad taluk and passes through Edathua and Champakulam villages and joins the Pamba river at Muttar.The villages of Manimala, Mallappally, Kaviyoor, Kalloppara, Thalavadi, Kozhimukku and Champakkulam lie in the course of the river Manimala. It has a length of 91.73 Km and drainage area of 802.90 Km. Pamba River Pamba, the third longest river in Kerala is formed by several streams originating from Peerumedu plateau in Idukki district, enters Alappuzha district at Chengannur and flows through Pandanad, Veeyapuram, Thakazhy, and Champakulam through a distance 177.08 Km and plunges into vembanad lake through several branches such as Pallathuruthi Ar, Nedumudi Ar and Muttar. The river has a length of 117 Km and is navigable to a length of 73 Km. The catchment area of this river is 1987.17 Sq.Km. The main tributaries of the river are Pambayar, Kakki Ar, Arudai Ar, kakkad Ar and Kallar. Achankovil River This river often known as Kulallada river, originates from Pasukida mettu, Ramakkal Theri and Rishimalai of Kollam district enters the district at Venmony and has a catchment area of 1155.14 Sq.Kms and a marginable length of 32.19 Km.It passes through Cheriyanad, Puliyoor and Chengannur villages, enters Mavelikkara Taluk at Chennithala, flows through Thriperumthura and pallippad villages and joins Pamba at Veeyapuram. Back Waters Vembanad Lake The Vembanad lake, the most important of the west coast canal system has a length of 84 Km and an average breadth of 3.1 Km. It covers an area of 204 Sq.Km. Stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi it borders Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Kuttanad Taluks of Alappuzha district, Kottayam, vaikom and Changanasserry taluks of Kottayam district, Kochi and Kanayannur Taluks of Ernakulam district. Pamba, Achankovil , Manimala, Meenachil and Muvattupuzha rivers discharge into this lake. Pathiramanal, often called the mysterious sand of midnight, having coconut palms and luxuriant vegetation is situated in the centre of this lake. Perumbalam and Pallippuram are the other islands in this lake. The Thannermukkom regulator constructed across Vembanad lake between Thannermukkom and Vechur is intended to prevent tidal action and intrusion of saline water into the lake. It is the largest mud regulator in India. Kayamkulam Lake Stretching between Panmana and Karthikappally, Kayamkulam lake is a shallow lake which has an outlet to sea at Kayamkulam barrage. It has an area of 59.57 Sq.Km., a length of 30.5 Km and an average breadth of 2.4 Km. It connects Ashtamudi lake by the Chavara Panmana canal. Canals Alappuzha has a network of canals included in the west coast canal system which are used for navigation. The important canals are Vadai canal, Commercial canals and the link canals between these two canals. Apart from these, there are many inland canals which are mainly used for passenger navigation and commercial purposes. The lakes are used for inland water transport of passengers and cargo. Inland fisheries have also been flourished in these regions. Sea Cost Alappuzha has a flat unbroken sea coast of 82 Km in length which is 13.9 % of the total coastal line of the state. An interesting phenomenon of this seacoast during the month of June is the periodic shifting of mud bank popularly known as "Chakara" within a range of 25 Km in Alappuzha-Purakkad coast due to hydrolic pressure when the level of backwater rises during south-west monsoon. BACKWATERS One night cruise on the backwaters of the Alappuzha is one of the most popular cruises offered. A round trip, in which you board the boat at Alappuzha and disembark at Alappuzha after having spent the night in the tranquility of the Backwaters.The cruise takes you through the clear waters of the prominent Punnamada Lake – the venue of the legendary Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race. You can visit the 400 year old Champakkulam church, one of the 7 churches established by St. Thomas. The Chavara Bhavan, located 6 km from Alappuzha, is another interesting place that one can't affoed to miss. The ancestral home of the Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the Chavara Bhavan houses the legendary 250 year old beacon of light – preserved intact in its original and primitive form.stars in a dark sky. Fishing women and men add to the magic with their imaginative ways of fishing. Visit significant places like the Ambalphuzha temple and the Champakkulam Church. The cruise from Alappuzha to Kidangara takes you through the exotic backwaters to the Vembanad Lake and the fascinating Pathiramanal Island.and other historically important sights. After spending the night at the romantic Vattakayal Lake, you sail back to Alappuzha. The Routes in Alappuzha There are many interesting routes to cruise on the Backwaters of Kerala, each route is more enchanting than the other. Alappuzha to Alappuzha is a one night round about cruise which takes you through the Legendary Punnamada Lake. Sail along the gentle clear backwaters to the romantic Vattakayal Lake and spend a night aboard. Alappuzha to Kumarakom, a one night cruise which offers you a magical night. Water birds – both residents and migratory adorn the canals and water ways. The water lilies when seen in the night dazzle like the twinkling Alappuzha to Kottayam is one of the most exotic Backwaters cruises. A cruise from Alappuzha through these backwaters tantalizes you with its breathtaking serenity to remain as the most beautiful reminiscences of your life. See the toddy tappers at work and farming done at below sea level. Alappuzha to Thottappally – a cruise of many historical places. Alappuzha to Mankotta – this cruise takes you through the Punnamada Lake and provides you the opportunity of visiting the coir making villages Alappuzha to Alumkadavu – offers both a one night cruise as well as a two night cruise. This cruise takes you to the place of origin of the house boats you are traveling in – the Kettuvallams. Alumkadavu is the place where entire clans used to make these Kettuvallams.