1.
Idukki district
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Idukki is one of the 14 districts of Kerala state, India, created on 26 January 1972. At that time, the headquarters was at Kottayam. In June 1976 it was moved to Painavu, Idukki which lies in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Idukki is the second largest district in area but has the lowest population density, Idukki has a vast forest reserve area, more than a half of the district is covered by forests. The urban areas are densely populated villages are sparsely populated. The name of the district is derived from the Malayalam word Idukku, Idukki has an area of 4,358 km2 and is the second largest District of Kerala. Rugged mountains and forests cover about 97 percent of the area of the District. The district is only by road. Rail and airlink is not available, National Highway NH49 and State highways 13 and 33 passes through the district. Anamudi, the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas, is in the Kuttampuzha Panchayat of Adimali Block, thirteen other peaks in the district exceed a height of 2,000 m. The Periyar, Thodupuzhayar and Thalayar are the important rivers of the district, Idukki Dam, Asias largest Arch Dam is located at Idukki Township of Idukki Taluk. The point where the Periyar flows through the gorge formed between two massive rocks known as Kuravan and Kurathi is the site of the Idukki arch dam. The Idukki Hydroelectic project caters for more than 60% of the requirements of the state of Kerala. According to the 2011 census Idukki district has a population of 1,107,453 and this ranks it as 416th among the 640 districts of India. The district has a density of 254 inhabitants per square kilometre. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was −1. 93%, Idukki has a sex ratio of 1006 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 92.2 per cent. According to the 2011 census, Hindus make up 48, 86% of the population, Christians 43. 42%, Muslims 7. 41%. Idukki district is the first district in India to get connected with super-fast broad band system as a part of Digital India Munnar was the resort of the British Government in the south
2.
Periyar (river)
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Periyar is the longest river and the river with the largest discharge potential in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the few rivers in the region. The Periyar is of utmost significance to the economy of Kerala and it generates a significant proportion of Keralas electrical power via the Idukki Dam and flows along a region of industrial and commercial activity. The river also provides water for irrigation and domestic use throughout its course besides supporting a rich fishery, due to these reasons, the river has been named the Lifeline of Kerala. Kochi city, in the vicinity of the river draws its water supply from Aluva. Twenty five percent of Keralas industries are along the banks of river Periyar and these are mostly crowded within a stretch of 5 kilometres in the Eloor-Edayar region, about 10 kilometres north of Kochi harbor. The Periyar has a length of approximately 244 kilometres and a catchment area of 5,398 square kilometres. The source of the Periyar lies high in the Western Ghats and it is variously claimed to be located in Kerala and in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. This has also admitted by the state of Tamil Nadu in the court. The source of the lies in the remote forests of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Various sources indicate the origin of the river to be Chokkampatti Mala, there are alternate claims for a Tamil Nadu origin, indicating that the Periyar originates in the Sivagiri peaks of Sundaramala, Tamil Nadu. However, the Supreme Court of India in its judgement on the Mullaperiyar issue in 2014, after flowing 48 kilometres from its origin and on reaching Mount Plateau at its eastern end, it is joined by the west-flowing Mullayar—an important tributary—at Mullakudy. During this journey the Periyar traverses through the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the Mullaperiyar dam is constructed at the confluence of the Periyar and Mullayar to create the Periyar Thekkady lake and reservoir, as well as the Periyar National Park. The area belonging to Tamil Nadu in the Periyar basin is located far down the river from the Mullaperiyar Dam site and this area is drained by the tributary Nirar, which is diverted to Tamil Nadu as a part of inter-state Parambikulam-Aliyar Project agreement. From Periyar Thekkady lake and reservoir, some water is diverted eastwards to Tamil Nadu via a tunnel, the diverted water, after power generation, is let into the Suruliar river thereby resulting in an inter-basin transfer of water. The Idukki dam is constructed across the Periyar river on the famous Idukki gorge formed by the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. The main Periyar below the Idukki reservoir flows due north parallel to the edge of the Idukki plateau and is joined by the Perinjakutty from the east. After the confluence with Muthirapuzha, the river flows northwestwards and enters Ernakulam district at Neriamangalam and it is joined by its major tributary, the Idamalayar,1.5 kilometres upstream of the Bhoothathankettu barrage
3.
Munnar
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Munnar is a town and hill station located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. Munnar is situated at around 1,600 metres above sea level. The name Munnar is believed to mean three rivers, referring to its location at the confluence of the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers, geographic coordinates of Munnar is 10°05′21″N 77°03′35″E. Munnar town is situated on the Kannan Devan Hills village in Devikulam taluk and is the largest panchayat in the Idukki district covering an area of nearly 557 square kilometres, Munnar is well connected by both National highways, state highways and rural roads. The town lies in the Kochi - Dhanushkodi National highway, about 130 km from Cochin,31 km from Adimali,85 km from Udumalpettu in Tamil Nadu and 60 km from Neriyamangalam. Distance from major cities from Kochi - Ernakulam -150 km The nearest major stations are at Ernakulam. The Nearest Functioning Railway station is at Udumalaipettai, the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 110 kilometres away. The Coimbatore and Madurai airports is 165 km from Munnar, the panchayath of Munnar formed in 1961 January 24 is divided into 21 wards for administrative convenience. Coimbatore district lies in the north, Pallivasal in south, Devikulam and Marayoor in east and Mankulam, most of the native flora and fauna of Munnar have disappeared due to severe habitat fragmentation resultant from the creation of the plantations. There has been action to address the problems of property takeovers by the mafia that have, according to successive governments. In 2011, the government estimated that 20,000 hectares of land had been illegally appropriated, the temperature ranges between 5 °C and 25 °C in winter and 15 °C and 25 °C in summer. Temperatures as low as −4 °C have been recorded in the Sevenmallay region of Munnar, köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies it as subtropical highland. Bisonvalley Kolukkumalai Kunchithanny Marayur Mattupetty Dam Munnar Tea Museum Pallivasal Rajakkad Munnar travel guide from Wikivoyage Kerala Tourism
4.
Chinese fishing nets
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In India, Chinese fishing nets are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for fishing. While commonly known as Chinese fishing nets in India, the formal name for such nets is shore operated lift nets. Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20 m or more across, each structure is at least 10 m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen, while such nets are used throughout coastal southern China and Indochina, in India they are mostly found in the Indian cities of Kochi and Kollam, where they have become a tourist attraction. The Indian common name arises because they are unusual in India, the system is sufficiently balanced that the weight of a man walking along the main beam is sufficient to cause the net to descend into the sea. The net is left for a time, possibly just a few minutes. The catch is usually modest, a few fish and crustaceans, rocks, each 30 cm or so in diameter, are suspended from ropes of different lengths. As the net is raised, some of the rocks one-by-one come to rest on a platform thereby keeping everything in balance, each installation has a limited operating depth. Consequently, an individual net cannot be operated in tidal waters. Different installations will be operated depending on the state of the tide and it was earlier thought that the nets might have been introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He. Recent research shows that these were introduced by Portuguese Casado settlers from Macau, the Chinese fishing nets have become a very popular tourist attraction. Their size and elegant construction is photogenic and the rhythm of their operation is quite hypnotic. In addition, catches can be purchased individually and need be only a short distance to a street entrepreneur who will cook it. Fishing in India Zheng He and Kochi Short documentary about Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi
5.
Kerala backwaters
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The Kerala backwaters are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast of Kerala state in southern India. The network includes five large lakes linked by canals, both man made and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. The Kerala Backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets, a system formed by more than 900 km of waterways. In the midst of this there are a number of towns and cities. National Waterway 3 from Kollam to Kottapuram, covers a distance of 205 km, the important rivers from north to south are the Valapattanam river, Chaliar, Kadalundipuzha, Bharathapuzha, Chalakudy river, Periyar, Pamba, Achancoil and Kalladayar. Other than these, there are 35 more small rivers and rivulets flowing down from the Ghats, most of these rivers are navigable up to the midland region, in country crafts. Vembanad is the largest of the lakes, covering an area of 2033 km², the lake has a large network of canals that meander through the region of Kuttanad. The backwaters have an ecosystem, freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. A barrage has been built near Thanneermukkom, so water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside. Such fresh water is used for irrigation purposes. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various plants and bushes grow alongside the backwaters. The kettuvallams in the backwaters are one of the prominent tourist attractions in Kerala, more than 2000 kettuvallams ply the backwaters. The Kerala government has classified the tourist houseboats as platinum, gold, the kettuvallams were traditionally used as grain barges, to transport the rice harvested in the fertile fields alongside the backwaters. Thatched roof covers over wooden hulls,100 feet in length, at some point in time the boats were used as living quarters by the royalty. Converted to accommodate tourists, the houseboats have become floating cottages having an area, with western-style toilets, a dining area. Most tourists spend the night on a houseboat, Food is cooked on board by the accompanying staff – mostly having a flavour of Kerala. The houseboats are of various patterns and can be hired as per the size of the family or visiting group
6.
Pooram
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Harimattom pooram is the one of the famous pooram in Ernakulam. The most famous pooram in whole world is Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram which has a participation of 11 Lack people across the country. Most pooram festivals have at least one ornately decorated elephant being paraded in the procession out of the temple precincts. Vela is also a festival like pooram, thrissur Pooram is the most famous of all poorams. The second best known Pooram in Kerala is Uthralikavu Pooram. A melam is a performance of different kind of musical instruments that are unique to Kerala and is something akin to the jazz. The most traditional of all melams is called Pandi Melam which is performed outside the temple. Another kind of melam is called Panchari Melam, which is similar to Pandi Melam going by the kind of instruments, panchavadyam is another classical musical ensemble performed in Kerala. Here, five different kinds of instruments create a breathtaking and fastmoving percussion performance, the five instruments are Madhalam, Kombu, Edakka, Elathalam and Timila. Interesting attractions of Pooram can be seen in the Valluvanad and Talappilly region, there is the Harijan Vela or Parayar Vela as well as the Tholpavakoothu, a traditional shadow puppetry show. Harimattom Temple is situated near Tripunithura, the temple festival is started on malayalm month medam star UTTRAM. The main highlight of the festival is harimattom pooram which is on the 7th day of the festival, the main attraction of this pooram is kudamattam and famous pandimellam with the presents of most the famous 10 elephants from Kerala. The one of the most important things is the Harimattom pooram and festival is conducting as per keeping the Kerala tradition, beliefs and culture
7.
Vallam Kali
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Vallam Kali is a traditional boat race in Kerala, India. It is a form of racing, and uses paddled war canoes. It is mainly conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in autumn, Vallam Kali includes races of many kinds of paddled longboats, the traditional boats of Kerala. The race of Chundan Vallam is the major event, hence Vallam Kali is also known as the Snake Boat Race and is a major tourist attraction. Other types of boats which do participate in events in the race are Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam, Vadakkanody Vallam. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a popular Vallam Kali event held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, hence, the technical methods for creating these Snake Boats are around 650 years old. Of the snake boats still in use today, the Parthasarathi Chundan is the oldest model, Vallam Kali has mainly been conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in Autumn. The race of Chundan Vallam is the major event, Vallam Kali also includes races of many other kinds of traditional paddled longboats of Kerala, and is one of the major tourist attractions in the state. Vanchipattu is the form of poetry in Malayalam language commonly using while Vallam Kali, during Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali, the vanchipattu is performed by the participants for its significance in the rituals. Ramapurathu Warrier is considered to be the pioneer of the vanchipattu. gamezindia. com Snake Boat Race Gothuruth Boat Race since 1938
8.
Wildlife of Kerala
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This article relates to flora and fauna of the state of Kerala, south India. Most of Kerala, whose native habitat consists of wet evergreen rainforests at lower elevations and highland deciduous, however, significant variations in terrain and elevation have resulted in a land whose biodiversity registers as among the world’s most significant. Despite this, Kerala contains 9,400 km2 of natural forests, such forests together cover 24% of Keralas landmass. Kerala also hosts two of the world’s Ramsar Convention-listed wetlands, Lake Sasthamkotta and the Vembanad-Kol wetlands are noted as being wetlands of international importance, there are also numerous protected conservation areas, including 1455.4 km2 of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Overall, Keralas forests are home to more than 1,000 species of trees, smaller flora include bamboo, wild black pepper, wild cardamom, the calamus rattan palm, and aromatic Vetiver grass. In turn, the forests play host to such major fauna as the Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, leopard, nilgiri tahr, more remote preserves, including Silent Valley National Park in the Kundali Hills, harbor endangered species such as the, Indian sloth bear, and gaur. Many reptiles, such as tree snake, green snake, king cobra, viper, python, additionally, freshwater fish such as kadu and brackishwater species such as Choottachi also are native to Keralas lakes and waterways. Teak Museum Idukki is the district having more forest land in Kerala while Alappuzha have no forest land, sreedharan, TP, Biological Diversity of Kerala, A survey of Kalliasseri panchayat, Kannur district, Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development, retrieved January 13,2006
9.
Cochin International Airport
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Cochin International Airport is an international airport situated in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. It is the busiest and largest airport in the state of Kerala, the airstrip was converted into a military airport by the Indian Navy during World War II. The Royal Navy chose it as a site for their headquarters in Southern India and as an air station cum landing craft. The military facility hosted naval fighter planes and was intended to thwart possible Japanese air raids, a small naval unit set up just two days before the outbreak of World War II. After Indian Independence, the Indian Navy operated the airport, though it permitted civilian aircraft to use the facility, the Gulf economic boom of the 1980s made it necessary to develop international transportation to Kochi in the interests of expatriates working in the Middle East. The resolution was rejected by the Navy for security reasons, however, the government of Indias Airport Authority of India did not have enough funds to commence a greenfield airport. This led to the formation of an idea of collecting funds from the public and individuals to construct an airport. The idea was put forward by Mr. V. J. Kurian, the original proposal for the airport outlined an estimated cost of ₹100 crore and an expected date of commission in 1997. Approval was granted in May 1993, a body called the Cochin International Airport Society, under the chairmanship of the chief minister of Kerala, was registered in July 1993 to execute the project. A total of 2,000 acres of land was acquired for the construction of the airport, approximately 2,300 landowners and 872 families were resettled under a rehabilitation package. Major electric lines and a canal had to be diverted. The facility was inaugurated by the then President of India, KR Narayanan on 25 May 1999. The operations from the old airport were moved to CIAL on 1 July 1999. The airport had 18,580 m2 of floor space at its inauguration, CIAL envisioned six phases of expansion over 20 years, the third phase of which was completed in 2009. The original airport terminal was small enough envisioned to handle just 100 passengers at a time, however, by 2001, the international passenger traffic were growing, making necessary to redevelop the terminal. Most of the expansion has occurred in the terminal, as it accounts for more than 78% of all traffic. In 2002 the original floor area had risen. As part of two of the expansion plans, an airline center complex of 7,500 m2 was constructed on the western side of the terminal to accommodate airline
10.
Trivandrum International Airport
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Trivandrum International Airport is in Thiruvananthapuram and is the first airport in the state of Kerala, India. It was the international airport of India declared by then Prime Minister of India. The airport is a base for Air India Express operations and is a focus city for Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet. There are flights to Middle eastern and South eastern countries from here, Trivandrum International Airport operates two terminals. Terminal 1 handles domestic operations and Terminal 2 handles all international flight operations as well as all domestic flights by Air India. In addition to operations, Trivandrum Airport caters to the Indian Air Force. IAF have an apron to handle all their operations. Trivandrum airport also caters to the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology which carries out training activities. The airport was established in 1932 as part of the Royal Flying Club under the initiative of Colonel Goda Varma Raja, Consort Prince of HRH Queen Karthika Thirunal of Travancore Kingdom. Col G. V Raja, a pilot, felt the need an airport to accommodate Travancore in the aviation map of India. A detailed report was made and presented to the King by Consort Prince in this regard, in 1935, on royal patronage of H. H Maharaja Chithira Thirunal, Tata Airlines made its maiden flight to the airport using DH. The first flight took off on 1 November 1935, carrying mails of Royal Anchal to Bombay, in 1938, the Royal Government of Travancore acquired a Dakota as Maharajas private aircraft and placed the first squadron of Royal Indian Air Force for protection of state from aerial attacks. After Independence, the airstrip was used for flights with construction of a domestic terminal. International operations were initiated by Air India to cities in the Arabian Peninsula in the late 1970s using Boeing 707, by early 80s, the then Indian Airlines started service to Colombo, followed by service to Male. Later, SriLankan Airlines and Air Maldives, the cargo warehouse is on the airport premises. It has a capacity to import 21000 MT and export 27000 MT per annum, in 2010-11, the airport achieved MT of import cargo and MT of export cargo. Major cargo jets such as Emirates has begun flights to Trivandrum International Airport, the air traffic control tower is 18 m tall. There are plans to build a new 43m tall ATC tower for Trivandrum airport near the new international terminal. The airport has an instrument landing system using distance measuring equipment, the Instrument Landing System allows aircraft landings in reduced visibility
