Alleppey Backwaters — Attraction in Kerala

Kerala backwaters are one of the finest tourist places to visit. With a moderate climate and awe- inspiring beauties of these backwaters, Kerala stand as the best tourist destination all throughout the year.Alappuzha, is popularly known as „the Venice of the East‟ is an excellent backwater and coastal tourist destination in India. House boat tourism emerged as the backbone of the tourism sector of Kerala state. House boat tourism is considered to be one of the best brand of state‟s tourism sector by generating huge foreign exchange and employment. Although house boat tourism contributes positively to the local economy by providing large number of jobs, it has hampered the environment of the Kuttanad region of Alappuzha.Most of the houseboat industry is located in Alappuzha and Kumarakom because of which the study focused on Alappuzha. The uncontrolled operation of house boats have become a grave issue causing serious environmental impacts, including the accumulation of toilet waste, plastic and oil pollution in the water body. Therefore it is mandatory to develop a suitable sustainable tourism model for overcoming these major challenges. Sustainable tourism has been developed to protect the natural beauty of the environment together with the creation of economic opportunities for local communities. It becomes very vital that local community, visitors or tourists, and tourism industry in a destination must contribute to further sustainable development. This paper focuses on the adverse effect of the house boat tourism growth in the Alappuzha on the environment system of wetland and Livelihood of the area around the lake and to find out the recommendation for the sustainable development of house boat tourism in the region.

Alappuzha is bestowed with 82 km of coastline and rich island water bodies with fresh water rivers, canals, ponds and lakes. Fisheries are one of the important developmental sectors having socio-economic importance in the district. Fishing and related Industries offer direct employment to above 45,000 people in the district. There is also a host of related industries like ice plants, fish processing plants etc which provide employment for a large section of coastal population. To learn the socio-economic conditions of the coastal community of the district a micro level survey was conducted in households. The survey focused the socio- economic status of the households in general, examined the social-economic and educational conditions of the children and also the measures adopted to protect their basic human rights. The coastal communities are increasingly at risk from various hazards. Coastal habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, wetlands are being destroyed. Over fishing and destructive fishing are causing the decline of fishery resources and changes in marine ecosystem. The degradation of the coastal environment from chronic human induced actions threatens food security, livelihood, overall economic development and well being of coastal communities. These areas are relatively densely populated where basic survival and disaster warning and response mechanisms are limited. Thanking you for your prestigious time for read...

Alleppey, often called the "Venice of the East," is renowned for its unique and enchanting backwaters. Here's what makes them so special: Houseboat Stays: The quintessential Alleppey experience is staying in a traditional houseboat, or "Kettuvallam." These beautifully crafted boats, originally used for transporting goods, have been transformed into comfortable floating homes. They offer: Scenic Cruises: Gently glide through the intricate network of canals, lagoons, and lakes, offering breathtaking views of lush paddy fields, coconut groves, and vibrant village life along the shores. Overnight Stays: Enjoy the tranquility of spending a night in the middle of the backwaters, under a starlit sky. Delicious Kerala Cuisine: Indulge in freshly cooked, authentic Kerala meals prepared onboard, often featuring local fish and produce. Unique Ecosystem: The Alleppey backwaters are a fascinating ecosystem where freshwater from rivers meets the saltwater of the Arabian Sea. This creates a rich biodiversity, supporting a variety of flora and fauna, including: Diverse Birdlife: A paradise for bird watchers, you can spot kingfishers, cormorants, egrets, herons, and many migratory birds. Lush Vegetation: The waterways are fringed with dense greenery, including coconut palms, banana plants, and paddy fields. Gl glimpses of Local Life: A backwater cruise offers a unique window into the daily lives of the people who live along these waterways: Traditional Occupations: Observe fishermen casting their nets, farmers cultivating rice paddies below sea level in the Kuttanad region, and villagers engaged in coir making. Water as a Lifeline: See how the backwaters serve as a means of transportation, trade, and sustenance for the local communities. Variety of Boat Experiences: While houseboats are popular, you can also explore the backwaters in other ways: Canoe Rides: For a more intimate experience, take a leisurely canoe ride through the narrower canals and get closer to the village life. Shikara Rides: Enjoy shorter trips in smaller motorboats, perfect for sightseeing. Passenger Boats: Experience the local way of commuting by taking a ride on a public ferry. Serene and Relaxing Atmosphere: The calm and tranquil backwaters offer a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's a place to unwind, connect with nature, and enjoy the slow pace of life. In essence, the speciality of Alleppey's backwaters lies in the unique combination of scenic beauty, the experience of living on a houseboat, the glimpse into local culture, and the peaceful atmosphere, making it an unforgettable...

Alleppey is famous for its backwaters cruises. There are various places from which the backwaters cruise starts. Also there is large variety of times of cruises and types of boats including houseboats.

We wanted to do a 1 hour cruise and were not keen on large boats nor with meals on board. We wanted something exclusive and take us off the beaten path.

Our cruise was organised by Mahindra Resort Arrokooty where we were staying.

It was a one hour cruise on a small motarised boat in a narrow backwater alley. We were five adults and the small boat could easily fit aroung 10 giving us enough space to move around. We were wearing life jackets for safety.

It was a marvelous experience as were were surrounded by greens and the alleys were truly secluded with ours being the only boat. The waters too were filled with fallen leaves and weeds and at many places you just could not see the water and at times wonder where the boat would head.

On the way we passed many small hutments and small villages which gave the cruise a rustic feel. The surroundings being so quiet made us experience the lovely sounds of birds as also wind blowing through the trees. The boatman stopped at one particular spot and offered us fresh coconuts.

Best to do this cruise early mornings or late evenings.

Overall, we had a wonderful experience and were glad we stayed away...