Boat on Ashtamudi Kayal, Kollam (അഷ്ടമുടി കായൽ)

More of my Ashtamudi lake (അഷ്ടമുടി കായൽ) pictures: Tree stump, another houseboat

 

The eight (ashta) arms or channels of this lake give it the name Ashtamudi. Located in Kollam, Kerala, it forms the gateway to the backwaters and a cruise on the lake is a wonderful treat to the eyes. Coconut groves, palm trees, a variety of other local trees, and unfortunately, cell phone towers too along almost the entire bank of the lake makes a wonderful sight. You can also spot Chinese fishing nets at many places. There are regular backwater cruises starting at Kollam going all the way to Alapuzha (Allepey), taking about 8 hours, perhaps making it the longest backwater cruise in Kerala. The lake hosts endangered species according to the Red Data Book of Indian Plants, such as Zyzigium travencoricum, and the endemic liane Calmus rotang

 

Ashtamudi Lake is designated a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. See Ramsar sites info service for map, information sheet and site report

 

Updated link: rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1204

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