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Kuttanad
Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth of
paddy crops, is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of
Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of banana, cassava
and yam.
This is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is
done 1.5 to 2 m below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level
are an amazing feature of this region.
Alappuzha is the nerve centre of
the backwaters of Kerala. Kuttanad is an expanse of water-logged land lying below
sea level. Often the level of water here is higher than that of the green paddy
fields on either side.
Kuttanad bears strong resemblance to Holland in
terms of geographical features. Three rivers - the Pamba, the Manimala and the
Achankovil - crisscross this region.
Until a few years ago, water was the
main mode of transport. Today buses and trains ply the region. However, the landscape
is so unique that a boat trip through Kuttanad is an unforgettable experience
- bustling rural life on the banks of the rivers, green expanses of paddy fields
and shady coconut grooves.
How to Reach
Nearest
railway stations: Alappuzha and Changanacherry.
Nearest airports:
Cochin International Airport, about 85 km to the north; Thiruvananthapuram International
Airport, about 150 km to the south.
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