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{{short description|Lake in India (Gateway to the backwaters)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Ashtamudi Lake
| native_name ={{native name|ml|അഷ്ടമുടി കായൽ}}
| image=Ashtamudi_Kerala.jpg
| caption = An aerial view of the Ashtamudi lake
| alt = Aerial view of the Ashtamudi lake
| pushpin_map = India Kerala
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Ashtamudi Lake
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = [[Kollam District]], [[Kerala]]
| coords = {{coord|8|59|N|76|36|E|region:IN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| lake_type =
| inflow = [[Kallada River]]
| outflow =
| catchment = {{convert|1700|km2|abbr=on}}
| basin_countries =India
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|61.4|km2|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| max-depth = {{convert|6.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| volume = {{convert|76000000000|km3|abbr=on}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| islands =[[Munroe Island]] [[Chavara Thekkumbhagom]]
| islands_category = Islands of Kollam
| cities = [[Kollam Metropolitan Area|Kollam]] ''(Metropolitan Area)'' [[Kundara]] ''(Census Town)''
| extra = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_date =19 August 2002}}
}}

'''Ashtamudi Lake''' (''Ashtamudi Kayal''), in the [[Kollam District]] of the Indian state of Kerala, is the most visited backwater and lake in the state. It possesses a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) water body, second only in size to the [[Vembanad]] estuary ecosystem of the state. ''Ashtamudi'' means 'eight braids' (''Ashta'' : 'eight'; ''mudi'' : 'hair braids') in the local [[Malayalam]] language. The name is indicative of the lake's topography with its multiple branches. The lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is well known for its houseboat and backwater resorts.<ref name="back_water">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotelskerala.com/ashtamudi/facilities.htm |title=Ashtamudi Resort Kollam - Facilities |access-date=2008-10-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602234840/http://www.hotelskerala.com/ashtamudi/facilities.htm |archive-date=2008-06-02 }} Back water Retreat Ashtamudi</ref><ref name=wwf_Ind>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/ashtamudi_lake.cfm |title=
Ashtamudi Lake - Overview |access-date=2007-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217210838/http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/ashtamudi_lake.cfm |archive-date=2007-12-17 }} Ashtamudi Lake</ref><ref name=kere_nis>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/water/Ramsar%20cites.pdf |title=Ramsar cities in Kerala |access-date=2011-02-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721171629/http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/water/Ramsar%20cites.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}</ref>
Ashtamudi Wetland was included in the list of [[wetland]]s of international importance, as defined by the [[Ramsar Convention]] for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ramsar.org/sitelist.pdf |title=The List of Wetlands of International Importance |access-date=2008-01-07 |publisher=The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102104335/http://www.ramsar.org/sitelist.pdf |archive-date=2008-01-02 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Ashtamudi-lake.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Luxury house boat in the backwaters]]
Along both banks of the lake and its backwater canals, coconut groves and palm trees interspersed with towns and villages are seen. [[Kollam]], (formerly Quilon) is an important historic port city located on the right bank of the lake. Boat cruises are operated by the Kollam Boat Club from Kollam to [[Alappuzha]] providing transport access to many other towns and villages along this route. Luxury houseboats also operate on the lake. The boat journey is an 8-hour trip, winding through lakes, canals, and water-bound villages.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} Chinese fishing nets, called ''cheena vala'' in Malayalam, are used by local fishermen and are a common sight along the waterway.<ref name="back_water"/><ref>http://www.indiainfoweb.com/kerala/lakes/ashtamudi-lake.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229084228/http://www.indiainfoweb.com/kerala/lakes/ashtamudi-lake.html |date=29 December 2012 }} Ashtamudi Lake</ref><ref name = kaz_kut>http://www.kazhakuttom.com/kollam.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611062344/http://www.kazhakuttom.com/kollam.htm |date=11 June 2012 }} Kollam at a Glance</ref>

The lake and the city of Kollam on its banks and the [[Neendakara]] port at the confluence offer a means of transport for the state's trade and commerce in the [[cashew]] trading and processing industry as well as the marine products industry.<ref name = kaz_kut/>

The lake is the source of livelihood for many people living close by. Fishing, coconut husk retting for [[coir]] production, and inland navigation services are the prominent businesses.

In 2014, the Clam Governing Council of Ashtamudi lake became the first [[Marine Stewardship Council]] certified fishery in India for their sustainable clam fishing.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Kerala’s Ashtamudi lake gets recognition for sustainable clam fishing|url = http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/keralas-ashtamudi-lake-gets-recognition-for-sustainable-clam-fishing/article6574978.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 2014-11-07|access-date = 2016-01-28|issn = 0971-751X|language = en-IN}}</ref>

The lake and the life on its shores have inspired many artists and writers. It has been the subject of many poems by the renowned poet [[Thirunalloor Karunakaran]] who was born and brought up on its banks.

[[File:View of Kollam City from Asramam Adventure Park.jpg|right|thumb|View of Ashtamudi Lake and [[Downtown Kollam]]]]
[[File:A top view of Ashtamudi backwaters.jpg|right|thumb|A top view of Ashtamudi backwaters]]

== History ==
Quilon or Kollam and inevitably Ashtamudi lake's importance is claimed to be dated to the days of the Romans and the Phoenicians. [[Ibn Batuta]], during his 24-year sojourn in the 14th century, is reported to have mentioned about the Quilon port as one of the five ports for Chinese trade. Links with Persia (9th century), Chinese mandarin in 1275 AD, Portuguese in 1502 AD, and the Dutch following the British in 1795 AD are recorded history. [[Velu Thampi]] is credited with organizing the rebellion against the British from this place.<ref>http://www.quilon.com/Html/history.htm Land of cashewnut</ref>

== Access ==
Considering [[Quilon|Kollam]] as the entry city to the lake, access to the lake is to the [[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport]], {{convert|71|km|mi|abbr=on}} away and by road to almost all important centers in Kerala and the rest of the country. [[National Highway 47 (India)|National Highway 47]] (NH 47) passes through the lake periphery not only from Quilon but also to other locations on its bank from [[Thiruvananthapuram]] to the northern towns of [[Kerala]]. [[Southern Railway Zone (India)|Southern Railways]] network of lines connects Quilon with all important centers in the rest of the country. Ferry services operate daily to [[Alleppey]] and boats operate to all villages located in the canals of the backwater system. The boat jetty is located at about {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from the railway station.<ref name = kaz_kut/> Famous [[Paravur, Kollam|Paravur]] estuary and backwaters are just 21 kilometer away from Ashtamudi.

==Topography==
[[File:Kallada Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200x150px|Kallada River]]
[[Kallada River]] is a major river discharging into Ashtamudi Lake. The Kallada river, which originates near [[Ponmudi]] from the [[Kulathupuzha]] hills [[Western Ghats]] is formed by the confluence of three rivers, viz., [[Kulathupuzha]], Chenthurnipuzha, and Kalthuruthipuzha, and after traversing a distance of about {{convert|121|km|mi|abbr=on}} through virgin forests finally debouches into the Ashtamudi [[wetland]] at Peringalam near Kollam. With a maximum depth of {{convert|21|ft|m|abbr=on}} at the confluence, it is Kerala's deepest estuary.<ref>http://www.india9.com/i9show/Kallada-River-38931.htm, Kallada River</ref>

== Geology ==
[[Quaternary]] and [[Tertiary]] sediments and sedimentary rocks are the formations in the lake basin and environs. The Quaternary sediments are of [[marine (ocean)|marine]] and [[fluvial]] [[alluvium]] of recent age. Tertiary sediments comprise [[laterite]], [[sandstone]]s and [[clay]]s of Warkalai formation.<ref name = kere_nis/>

== Hydrology ==
[[File:Astamudi Lake Kerala.jpg|thumb|Astamudi Lake Near Veerabhadra Swami Temple]]
The average annual runoff from the river system into the [[estuary]] is reported to be 76 cubic kilometers of freshwater. The basin drainage area is 1,700 km2 (660 mi2) and with an average annual rainfall of 2400 mm (94 in) it discharges 3.375 km3 (2,740,000 ac·ft) of flow annually. It acts as a flood storage lake thus protecting the thickly populated city of Quilon (Kollam) and the coastal land. The Kallada dam built across the Kallada river is 85.3 m high by 35 m long (280 ft by 115 ft) with a reservoir area of 23 km2 (8.9 mi2) with a storage volume of 0.505 km3 (409,000 ac·ft). Though it provides irrigation to 61630 ha for [[rice|paddy]] and upland crops, it has aggravated the salinity ingress into the wetland and the river due to reduced outflows during summer months.<ref name = kere_nis/>

[[Temperature]]s recorded in the area are a maximum of {{convert|27.5|°C|°F|abbr=on}} and a minimum of {{convert|25.5|°C|°F|abbr=on}}{{dubious|date=February 2009}}. The climate is hot and humid from April–May while cool from December–January.

==Flora==
Ashtamudi Estuary has [[mangroves]] ''[[Avicennia]] Officinalis'', ''Brugiera gymnorrhiza'' and ''[[Sonneratia]] caseolaris'' as also 43 species of marshy and mangrove associates including two endangered species ''[[Syzygium travancoricum]]'' (endangered species according to the ''Red Data Book of Indian Plants'') and ''[[Calamus (palm)|Calamus]] rotang'' in the [[Terrestrial ecoregion|Terrestrial]] system.<ref name = wwf_Ind/> These species offer excellent scope for development of [[marine (ocean)|marine]] bio reserve to promote [[eco-tourism]] in the estuarine of the lake. [[IUCN]] lists the two endangered species in IUCN 2008. The total number of ''Syzygium travancoricum'' is reported to be very small, not more than 200. The major threats to the endangered species are reportedly the draining of the wetlands and conversion into paddy fields.<ref>{{IUCNlink|31202|Syzygium travancoricum}}</ref>

==Wildlife==
The lake supports 57 species of avifauna, of which 6 are migratory and 51 resident species.<ref name = wwf_Ind/> It is also reported that about 40 species of wetland-dependent birds are recorded in the lake, out of which 45% are long-distance migrants. Terns, plovers, cormorants, and herons are the most abundant birds in the lake.<ref name = kere_nis/>
A study report has identified 45 insect species, including 26 species of butterfly, 5 odonates, 9 hymenopteras, 2 orthopterans, 1 hemipteran, and 2 coleopterans. About 29 zooplankton species have also been identified.<ref name = kere_nis/>
The water body is found to have 9 [[phytoplankton]]s such as Amphora, Borosigma, Cyclotella, Cymbella, Gyrozigma, Meloziva, Navicula, and Nitzschi.<ref name = kere_nis/>

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports{{citation needed|date=February 2009}} <blockquote>''97 species of fish (42 are typically marine, 3 estuarine, 9 estuarine-riverine, 15 marine-estuarine) and unique [[copepod]] species. It is also a congenial habitat for all species of [[penaeid]] and [[palaemonid]] [[Prawns]], edible [[crabs]], [[paphia malabarica (short neck Clams)]] and a variety of fish.''
A comparative shell morphology study of short-neck clam ''Paphia malabarica,'' the main clam fishery resources in the Ashtamudi Lake re-assigned to the genus ''Marcia recens'' (Venus Clams) and this study found it was wrongly identified as short-neck clam in previous studies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.pensoft.net/2018/12/05/eco-certified-ashtamudi-short-neck-clam-acquires-its-rightful-identity/|title=Eco-certified Ashtamudi short-neck clam acquires its rightful identity|date=2018-12-05|website=Pensoft blog|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-20}}</ref> Clams found in the estuary are exported.<ref name="wwf_Ind" /> The estuary is the source of livelihood for thousands of fishermen and is stated to be the second biggest fish-landing centre after the Vembanad estuary.</blockquote> 

==Islands in the lake==
{{See also|Islands of Kollam}}

[[File:UninhabitedIslandinMunroe.JPG|right|thumb|An uninhabited island in Munroe Island cluster, situated at Lake Ashtamudi]]
[[Munroe Island]] (Munroethuruth) is a cluster of eight tiny islands in Ashtamudi Lake.

[[Chavara]] South, a small village, an island within the Ashtamudi Lake, located {{convert|14|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from Quilon on the National Highway NH 47, is reported to be mineral rich with a number of factories for extraction and export of [[titanium]] and other minerals. [[Effluent]] from the factories is reported to be causing pollution of the lake waters.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20091027085313/http://www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/9669/chavara.htm Chavara South (Thekkumbakkam) an island on the Ashtamudi Lake, in Kerala, India</ref>

Thekkumbhagom island, situated on the bank of the Ashtamudi Lake, provides the feel of the rustic life of a village.{{tone inline|date=January 2019}}{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} The significance of this village is because the first epic poetry in the Malayalam language, ''Ramachandravilasam,'' was composed by the poet Azhakath Padmanabha Kurup in this village. An ancient 1000-year-old temple and a 200-year-old church are located here.<ref name="back_water"/>

== Economic evaluation of the lake's resources ==
An evaluation of the marketed use benefits of Ashtamudi estuary (valued using the market valuation approach) has assessed the total direct use value at Rs.66.8 million per annum; coconut husk retting accounts for Rs.5.1 million, Inland navigation service accounts for Rs.3.7 million and the recreation benefit is assessed at Rs.1.5 million (using the standard travel cost method). But this is reported to be showing a downward trend, particularly in fish resources in the estuary. This evaluation provides insight into the economic importance of conserving the Ashtamudi estuary.<ref>http://www.taal2007.org/downloads/abstracts/Oral.pdf{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ST 23 - Economic uses of Ashtamudi Estuary in South India, Taal 2007</ref>

== Deterioration of the lake environment ==
[[File:SWTD Boat on Ashtamudi Lake, Aug 2014.jpg|right|thumb|A moving ferry on Lake Ashtamudi at [[Kollam]] city]]
The following are reported to be the reasons for the deterioration of the lake environment:<ref name = wwf_Ind/>

#Intense [[human impact on the environment|anthropogenic]] pressure.
#Oil spills from thousands of fishing boats and from industries in the surrounding area.
#Dwindling of the fragile lake zone due to conversion/destruction of natural habitats for development purposes (reported that the lake which had an area of 54 km2 [21 mi2] according to old survey reports has shrunk to 34 km2 [13 mi2] due to encroachments)
#Large quantities of untreated sewage, disposal of human excreta, and the pollution from paper mills, industries ([[aluminum]], [[ceramic]]s, seafood), as well as from [[coconut]] husk retting.
#Many fish species may have become extinct due to a lack of spawning facilities on the banks of the lake due to the canalization of the lake's banks by walls built of laterite and granite stones (these walls reportedly cover 80 percent of the lake's banks)

=== Extinction of Kanjiracode creek ===
Kanjiracode creek on the south-east end of the lake, one arm of the Ashtamudi, has suffered extinction due to the dumping of waste earth and clay into the lake by the Kerala Ceramics Limited (KCL) at [[Kundara]], a state government-owned public sector unit. A university professor who has studied this aspect wonders{{citation needed|date=February 2009}} <blockquote>
''whether the lake would have to be soon rechristened "Sapthamudi" or the lake with seven locks of hair.''
</blockquote>The loss to people due to the destruction of the creek is stated to be:

a) "Karimeen" ([[pearl spot]]) and "kanambu" ([[Mullet (fish)|mullet]]) fish varieties once the livelihood of fishermen have disappeared and resulting in the migration of the fishermen to [[South Paravur|Paravur]] and [[Varkala]] in the south and even [[Kannur]] in the north.

b) People dependent on coir for a livelihood used the lake to soak husks but now the Kanjiracode coir industry is non-existent due to the closure of the creek resulting in migration of coir workers to other places for a living.

==Restoration plans==
[[File:Kollam boat and chinese net.jpg|thumb|right| A houseboat seen in Ashtamudi lake with Chinese nets in the background]]
The Asia Development Assistance Facility of the [[New Zealand]] Government has carried out a study with the objective of evolving a management plan for sustainable management of the estuary for ecosystem development. The shores of the lake are home to important species of rare birds and animals. Any decisions made concerning the Ashtamudi Estuary's resources and its sustainable management significance is dictated by about a million people who live on its shores and the large species of rare birds and animals which provide the equally important biodiversity to the lake's environs. The Plan envisages:<ref>http://www.wetlands.org/reports/ris/2IN009en.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527190826/http://www.wetlands.org/reports/ris/2IN009en.pdf |date=27 May 2011 }} Fact sheet</ref>

* Identify and phase out of the pollution sources
* Better sanitation, reduction of industrial growth, and reduction of urban waste to ensure the maintainable water quality of the estuary.
* Address the declining fish stock production through concerted efforts to conserve the fish stock of the estuary in a sustainable manner and with community participation
* Product diversification of coir to ensure better economic returns to people with the coordination of self-help groups
* Improved shore protection through mangrove afforestation for ecosystem development on the banks of the estuary
* Mining to be allowed selectively at the village level, away from the banks of the lake
* Discontinue estuary reclamation
* Set defined navigation routes undisturbed by fishing nets
* Neendakara port to be provided with improved sanitation facilities, enhanced boat-fuelling terminals, and drainage terminals.
* Promote ecotourism with better facilities of [[inland navigation]] and services in the form of:
**developing of [[marine (ocean)|marine]] bio-reserve, nature island, and mangrove conservation area
**visits to temples nearby and other places of cultural and archeological importance
**visits coir-producing villages, [[rubber]]-producing villages, [[rice]] fields, fish hatcheries, and other biodiversity hot spots

The above activities have been suggested for implementation in the Vellimon Kayal, a relatively unspoiled part of the estuary.

With funds provided by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, the revival of mangrove forests was done which is reported to be partially successful (out of 2,40,000 mangrove saplings planted over a period of two years 30,000 are reported to be surviving).

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Kerala Backwaters Sunset.JPG|Backwaters at sunset
File:Lake Ashtamudi, Jan 2020.jpg|Lake near [[Kollam KSRTC Bus Station|Kollam KSRTC Depot]]
File:Kollam (76).JPG|Ashtamudi Lake with [[Quilon]] on its banks
File:Kollam (82).JPG|Mechanised boats plying in the backwater
File:Ashtamudi lake joins the ocean, Kerala.jpg| As the lake joins the sea
File:Keralaback (73).JPG|Ducks in the lake
File:Backwaters hausboot.JPG|Houseboat in the midst of weeds in the backwaters
File:Keralafiske.JPG|Traditional Chinese fishing net in Ashtamudi Lake
File:Backwaters (Kerala).jpg| Traditional merchant boat on the backwaters (Kerala)
File:Ashtamudi Lake.jpg|Ashtamudi Lake
File:Ashtamudi Lake 3.jpg|Ashtamudi Lake 2
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Ashtamudi Lake}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071217210838/http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/ashtamudi_lake.cfm Ashtamudi Lake] on [[World Wildlife Fund]]-India website

{{Waters of Kerala}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}
{{Ramsar sites in India}}
{{Kollam}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kollam]]
[[Category:Lakes of Kollam]]
[[Category:Reservoirs in Kerala]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in India]]
[[Category:Kallada River]]
[[Category:Geography of Kollam district]]
[[Category:Lakes in Kollam]]

Ashtamudi Lake - Revision history

WikiDwarf at 05:53, 27 October 2022