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{{More citations needed|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Bharathapuzha
| name_native =
| name_native_lang =
| name_other =
| name_etymology =

| image = View from Chamravattam Bridge - panoramio.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = Bharathappuzha at [[Triprangode]] near [[Thavanur]], [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]], [[India]]
| map = Bharathapuzha map.PNG
| map_size =
| map_caption = Labelled map of Bharathappuzha
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=

| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[India]]
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kerala]], [[Tamilnadu]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =

| length = {{convert|209<ref name="length">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Bharathapuzha-is-dry-much-ahead-of-summer/article14989576.ece|title=Bharathapuzha is dry much ahead of summer|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref>|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location= [[mouth]]
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|161|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max =

| source1 = [[Anamalai Hills]]
| source1_location = [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|10|36|N|77|07|E|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|2461|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth = [[Lakshadweep Sea]]<ref name="zoos">{{cite web
| title = A CHECKLIST OF AVIFAUNA OF THE BHARATHAPUZHA RIVER BASIN, america
| publisher = Zoo Outreach Organisation
| url = http://www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintJournal/2006/August/2350-2355.pdf
| access-date = 2014-04-24
}}</ref>
| mouth_location = [[Ponnani]], [[Kerala]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|10|47|23.89|N|75|55|17.42|E|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|m|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|6186|km2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left = [[Thuthapuzha]], [[Gayathripuzha]], [[Kalpathipuzha]], [[Kannadipuzha]], [[Tirur River]]
| tributaries_right =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra =
}}

'''Bharathappuzha''' ("River of [[Names of India#Bhārata|Bhārata]]"), also known as the '''Nila''' or '''Ponnani River''',<ref name="MM">{{Cite book|title=Malabar Manual|last=Logan|first=William|publisher=Government of Madras Presidency|year=1887|isbn=8120604466|location=Easthill, Calicut|pages=14|url=https://archive.org/stream/malabarmanual0000loga?ref=ol#page/14/mode/2up}}</ref> or '''Kuttippuram River''', is a river in [[India]] in the state of [[Kerala]]. With a length of 209 km,<ref name="length" /> it is the second longest river that flows through Kerala after the [[Periyar (river)|Periyar]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bharathappuzha|url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Bharathappuzha_1842.aspx#:~:text=(Note:%20The%20Bharathappuzha%20(Indian,Kerala,%20after%20the%20Periyar%20River.|access-date=2020-09-09|website=www.kerenvis.nic.in}}</ref> However while considering the total length, Bharathappuzha has a total length of 250 km,<ref name="krl">[https://www.welcomekeralaonline.com/article/introduction-river-nila]</ref> of which 209 km flows through Kerala, while the remaining 41  through [[Tamil Nadu]]. Hence it is the longest river of Kerala.<ref name="krl"/> It flows through [[Palakkad Gap]], which is also the largest opening in the Kerala portion of [[Western Ghats]].<ref name="krl"/> Nila has groomed the culture and life of [[South Malabar]] part of Kerala. It is also referred to as "Peraar" in ancient scripts and documents. River Bharathapuzha is an interstate river and lifeline water source for a population residing in four administrative districts, namely [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] and [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]] districts, and parts of [[Thrissur district|Palakkad-Thrissur]] district border of [[Kerala]] and [[Coimbatore district|Coimbatore]], and [[Tiruppur district|Tiruppur]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. The fertile [[Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands]] lie on its bank.

==Etymology==
[[File:Bridge -bharatappuzha -kuttippuram (1).jpg|thumbnail|[[Kuttippuram bridge]]]]
The river has five names - Bharathappuzha, Ponnani River, Nila, Perar, and Kuttippuram River, of which the first name is more popular. The river meets the [[Lakshadweep Sea]] at an 'azhi' ([[estuary]]), the southern part of which is known as [[Ponnani]] and northern part as [[Purathur|Padinjarekkara]]. Thus the river gets the name Ponnani River.<ref name="MM"/> After the construction of the famous [[Kuttippuram bridge]] over Bharathappuzha to connect [[Kozhikode]] with [[Kochi]], the name Kuttippuram River also became familiar.

==Course==
[[File:Local fishermen in River.jpg|thumb|300px|Local fishermen in Bharathapuhza]]
The headwaters of the main [[tributary]] of Bharathapuzha originates from various parts of the [[Western Ghats]] near the [[Anaimalai Hills|Anamailai]] hill ranges in [[Tamil Nadu]] as small rivulets, and also some near [[Edamalakkudy, Idukki]] and [[Pooyamkutty]] in Ernakulam and Idukki districts of Kerala, and flows westward through [[Palakkad Gap]], (also known as Palghat gap) across [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]] and [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] districts of Kerala, with many tributaries joining it, including the [[Tirur River]]. For the first 40  km or so, the Bharathappuzha follows an almost northerly course till [[Pollachi]] near [[Coimbatore]]. At [[Parli-I|Parli]], the [[Kannadipuzha]] and [[Kalpathipuzha River]] merge and flow as Bharathappuzha, following a westerly course until it empties into the [[Lakshadweep Sea]] at [[Ponnani]].<ref name="zoos" /> At Mayannur, Gayathripuzha merges with the river. The [[Thuthapuzha]] merges with the Nila at [[Pallippuram, Palakkad|Pallippuram]]. As the Thootha River is rich in water, after its merger, the Nila becomes thicker inflow.
[[File:Nila Nadhi.jpg|thumb|right|300px|View of the river at [[Tirunavaya]]]]
[[File:Fishing Harbour Ponnani 209.jpg|thumb|300px|Tirur River joins Bharathapuzha in Ponnani]]
[[File:Railroad Bridge,Kerala,India2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Old Railway Bridge over Thutha River near its union with Bharathapuzha, built by the [[Great Britain|British]] in 1867 which goes into disuse with the construction of new bridges]]
The river is not navigable along most of its course except the small stretch where it joins the sea. With a [[drainage basin|watershed]] of 6,186 km2, the Bharathapuzha basin is the largest among all the river basins in Kerala. A little more than two-thirds of this area (4400 km2) is within Kerala and the remaining area (1786 km2) is in Tamil Nadu. Though Bharathapuzha has a large basin, the water flow is relatively less compared to other long [[List of rivers of Kerala|rivers in Kerala]] because a large portion of the basin is located in the comparatively drier regions (Tamil Nadu and Palakkad Gap). The construction of a number of dams after [[Indian Independence Act 1947|independence]] has also reduced the river flow. In fact, in the summer months, there is almost no flow in most parts of the river.
The Bharathapuzha is the lifeline of many cities and villages: Chittur-Thathamangalam (in Chittur, Bharathappuzha is known as "Sokanasini"; this name was given by Thunjathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan), Kodumbu-Thiruvalathur, [[Palakkad]], Parli-Kottayi, Mankara-Perigottukurissi, Lakkidi-Thiruvilwamala, [[Killikkurussimangalam]], [[Ottappalam]], [[Shoranur]], [[Cheruthuruthy]], [[Chelakkara]], [[Pattambi]], [[Thrithala]], [[Thiruvegappura]], [[Kudallur]], [[Pallippuram, Palakkad|Pallipuram]] and [[Kumbidi]]. The village of [[Parudur]], including the town of Pallipuram, stands near the confluence of this river and the River Thootha or, simply, [[Thuthapuzha]]. Then it goes through [[Kuttipuram]], [[Tirunavaya]], [[Irimbiliyam]], [[Thavanur]], [[Triprangode]], and [[Ponnani]]. [[Thuthapuzha]] passes through Malappuram-Palakkad district border through Thootha, [[Elamkulam, Malappuram|Elamkulam]], and [[Pulamanthole]]. [[Tirur River]] goes through [[Athavanad]], [[Tirur]], [[Mangalam, Tirur|Mangalam]], [[Purathur]], [[Triprangode]], and [[Kingdom of Tanur|Vettom]].

==Irrigation projects==
[[File:Bharathapuzha River.png|thumb|right|300px|A view of the railway bridge over Bharathappuzha at [[Shoranur]]]]
The Bharathappuzha is extensively dammed. There are 11 [[reservoir]]s along the course of the river, and two more are under construction. [[Malampuzha]] dam is the largest among the reservoirs built across Bharathapuzha and its tributaries. Other dams in the Bharathapuzha basin are [[Walayar Dam]], [[Mangalam Dam (dam)|Mangalam Dam]], [[Pothundi Dam]], Meenkara Dam, Chulliyar Dam, [[Thirumoorthy Dam|Thirumoorthy]], [[Aliyar]], Upper Aliyar, Chitturpuzha regulator and [[Kanjirapuzha Dam]]. Most of these reservoirs serve the purpose of irrigation only. A total area of 773 km2 is irrigated by these irrigation projects. One irrigation dam at Chittur in Attappadi Hills is under construction. The construction of these two dams will increase the area irrigated by another 542 km2.
Another major project is the Regulator cum bridge at Thrithala built on the Velliyankallu bridge. The bridge connects the two villages [[Pallippuram, Palakkad|Pallippuram]] and [[Thrithala]]. The main objective of the regulator is the drinking water supply. The water supply projects towards Thrissur district has already started. The shutter height of the regulator is 5 meters, and it can contain a huge quantity of water. Also, the new bridge reduces the distance from [[Thrissur]] to [[Kozhikode]] by 11  km. This project is the largest in Bharathappuzha in the last many decades. Fish species once thought to be almost extinct have come back remarkably due to the increased water level during summer. Special note is to be made on the species called 'Vaala' considered to be the king of fresh water fishes. Individual 'Vaala' weighing 5 to 10 kg are now common.
[[File:Velliyamkallu Regulator cum Bridge.JPG|thumb|left|300px|A view of the Velliyamkallu Regulator cum Bridge under construction]]
[[File:Ponnani fishing.jpg|thumb|300px|Ponnani Fishing Harbour is at the mouth of the river.]]
[[File:Nila Thitta.jpg|thumb|300px|The river empties to the Arabian Sea in Ponnani.]]

==Cultural significance==
Bharathappuzha is the lifeline of Kerala's cultural map.
[[Kerala Kalamandalam]], which is a major center for learning Indian performing arts like [[Kathakali]], [[Koodiyattam]] and [[Ottamthullal]], is situated at Cheruthuruty on the banks of this river—in Thrissur district. The birthplace of famous Malayalam satire poet and founder of the Ottamthullal art form, [[Kunchan Nambiar]], is located at Killikkurissimangalam near Lakkidi, again on the banks of the Nila.'''Tholpavakoothu''' (around 65 temples are situated in the banks of river Nila) is a unique shadow puppet play mainly performed in the Bhadar Kali temple in the Malabar region. ''[[Azhvanchery Thamprakkal]]'', who were the titular head of all [[Nambudiri]] [[Brahmins]] of Kerala had their land in [[Palakkad]] and later [[Athavanad]]-[[Tirunavaya]] region, situated on the basin of the river Bharathappuzha. The [[Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics]] flourished between 14th and 16th centuries of [[Common Era]] in [[Tirur]]-[[Tirunavaya]]-[[Triprangode]] region on the bank of the river Bharathappuzha. Leading Malayalam writers who were born along its banks include [[Uroob]], [[Edasseri Govindan Nair]], [[Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri]], [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]], [[M. Govindan]], [[V. K. N.]], [[O. V. Vijayan]], [[Kuttikrishna Marar]], and [[M. Sukumaran]]. Late poet [[P. Kunhiraman Nair]], a native of North Malabar, drew literary inspiration from the scenic beauty of the landscape along the Bharatapuzha. [[Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan]] and [[Vallathol Narayana Menon]] were born at the banks of [[Tirur River]], which can be described as a tributary of the river Bharathappuzha. Many of the main members of the medieval [[Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics]], including [[Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri]] , were also born near Tirur River.[[Poonthanam Namboothiri]] and [[E. M. S. Namboodiripad]] was born near [[Perinthalmanna]], at the bank of Thootha river, which is another tributary of the river Bharathappuzha.
There are a number of famous Hindu temples like [[Vilwadrinatha Temple|Thiruvilwamala]] Temple, [[Thirunavaya Temple|Thirunavaya]] [[Krishna|Navamukunda]] Temple, Chamravattam AyyappaTemple and [[Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple]] on the bank of Nila. [[Arabi Malayalam script]], also known as Ponnani script, was also born out on it's bank.

Legend says that those cremated on the banks of the Bharathappuzha achieve salvation. It is also one of the important places in the state where the sons pay homage to their late fathers by conducting a ''Pithru Tharpanam'' ritual on the ''Karkidaka Vavu'' day. Some of the famous persons cremated here include literary personalities like O V Vijayan and VKN.

==Degradation==
The river went through a series of challenges which saw its degradation that has reached a point of no return. The erratic, non-conservative attitude of people has resulted in much of its water becoming not potable.
Until a few decades back, the river used to flow effortlessly during even intense summer. However, due to the sand mining in the last 30 years, the thick sand bed has been completely vanished and has then been replaced with [[grass]]es and [[shrub|bushes]] which has become an environmental catastrophe.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}
At the peak of the sand mining period in the mid 1990s at least 40-50 [[lorries]] carrying tonnes of pristine sands were a common sight at each 'kadavu' (entrance to the river) of the river. Considering the hundreds of 'kadavu' throughout its length, the amount of sand mined in these years is unimaginable. Today, with almost no sand in many parts of the river, people have started mining sand from underwater which has become a profitable business for many.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}. Significant changes in the climatic pattern also altered the flow pattern in the river. Studies reported that there is a significant dip in the total annual rainfall<ref name="rain">{{cite journal |last1=Raj |first1=P.P.Nikhil |last2=azeez |first2=P.A |title=Trend analysis of rainfall in Bharathapuzha River basin, Kerala, India |journal=International Journal of Climatology |date=2012 |volume=32 |issue=4 |pages=533–539 |doi=10.1002/joc.2283 }}</ref> and significant increase in the annual temperature in the basin.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Raj |first1=P.P.Nikhil |last2=Azeez |first2=P.A |title=Temperature rise in the Bharathapuzha river basin, southern India. |journal=Current Science |date=2011 |volume=101 |issue=4 |pages=492 |url=http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci}}</ref>

==Challenges==
[[File:Evening sight of Bharathappuzha.jpg|300px|thumbnail|An evening near Bharathappuzha]]
The river now faces significant challenges for its survival. It is predicted that the river may change its course due to the obstruction of the tall grasses and bushes that has grown in the river. [[Illegal sand mining]] mafias are very active and the nexus between the politicians, bureaucrats and these mafias make it extremely difficult to stop this. Organisations which were once very active have now gone on hibernation due to the threat posed by them. Environmentalists have predicted dire consequences and the untimely death of the river within the near future. The wastes from the hospitals and other sources pollute the water.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

Social networking sites like Facebook have active groups with a purpose of saving the river named as Bharathappuzha Samrakhshana Samithi.<ref>http://www.facebook.com/groups/bhaarathapuzha/</ref>

Friends of Bharathapuzha, a nature lovers’ collective, is being formed with the objective of strengthening and protecting the Bharathapuzha. It is led by E.M. Sreedharan, veteran engineer popularly known as 'Metroman'.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/metroman-to-turn-riverman/article28362067.ece | title='Metroman' E. Sreedharan to turn 'Riverman' to help protect Bharathapuzha
| first=Abdul Latheef | last=Naha | date=10 July 2019 | newspaper=The Hindu | access-date=18 January 2020 }}</ref>

==Actions required for saving the river==
[[Environmentalists]] suggest the followings actions for saving the river.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

* Controlled mining of the sand if not completely stopping it. Sand beds which got created in millions of years were completely removed within a few years of human greed and mismanagement. Creation of sand is a very slow process and is considered as the veins of the river. Although a total ban is impossible and impracticable, strict regulations needs to be put in place for sustainable mining of sand. Experts suggest that a portion of the revenue from sand mining has to be allocated for river management.
* Strict regulations for hotels, hospitals and households on managing their waste. Regulation has to be put in place and enforced for managing waste generated by hospitals and hotels.
* Planting trees like [[Banyan]], [[Jackfruit]], [[Teak]], or [[Mango]] can enhance the water table and the water quality as these trees can hold large amount of water in its roots and will slowly discharge it during summer. This method has found to be successful in many parts of the world in reviving rivers.
* Planting and growing [[mangrove]]s wherever possible: Mangroves acts a barrier protecting the river banks from soil erosion. The ecosystem within the mangroves are varied and complex and help aquatic species to thrive in rivers.
* Constructing [[check dam]]s: Check dams slow down the flow of the river where by recharging the ground water and increasing the water table.

==Tributaries==
[[File:GKN Chamravattom Regulator Bridge DSC 0446.JPG|thumbnail|[[Chamravattom Regulator-cum-Bridge]] at [[Ponnani]], [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]], the largest Regulator-cum-bridge in the state, is built over the river Bharathappuzha]]
Sorted in order from the mouth heading upstream.
*[[Thuthapuzha]]
**[[Kunthippuzha]]
**[[Kanjirappuzha (Mannarkkad)|Kanjirappuzha]]
**[[Ambankadavu]]
**[[Thuppanadippuzha River|Thuppanadupuzha]]
*[[Gayathripuzha]]
**[[Mangalam River]]
**[[Ayalurpuzha]]
**[[Vandazhippuzha]]
**[[Meenkarappuzha]]
**[[Chulliyar]]
*[[Kalpathipuzha]]
**[[Korayar]]
**[[Varattar]]
**[[Walayar River|Walayar]]
**[[Malampuzha River|Malampuzha]]
*[[Kannadipuzha]]
**[[Palar]]
**[[Aliyar]]
**[[Uppar]]

==See also==
* [[Azhvanchery Thamprakkal]]
* [[Nambudiri]]
* [[List of rivers of Kerala]]
* [[List of dams and reservoirs in Kerala]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGdKcAbPZ_c
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEoV4xhJHBM
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6eA7wahVDY
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Dxuhs1zLU
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-O2XpGTTE

{{refbegin}}
* {{Citation|surname1=Abraham |given1=Vinu |year=2004 |title=The way to the Maker |journal=The Week |url=http://www.the-week.com/24jul11/statescan_article4.htm |access-date=10 February 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050224004103/http://www.the-week.com/24jul11/statescan_article4.htm |archive-date=24 February 2005 }} .
* {{Citation
| surname1 = Newindpress
| year = 2005
| title = Thousands offer Pithru Tharpanam
| journal = The New Indian Express
| url = http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20050805045520&Topic=0&Title=Kerala&Page=R
| access-date = 10 February 2006
| url-status = dead
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092331/http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20050805045520&Topic=0&Title=Kerala&Page=R
| archive-date = 29 September 2007
}}.
*{{cite web | title=Infobox facts | work=All Kerala River Protection Council| url= http://puzhakal0.tripod.com/river.html | access-date=30 January 2006}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bharathappuzha}}
*[http://www.kudallur.com/ Kudallur Village]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060901151355/http://nilafoundation.org/ Nila Foundation Organization]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060224053833/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2106/stories/20040326001904100.htm A Frontline article about the problems faced by Bharathapuzha]
*[http://www.indiatogether.org/2005/jun/env-sandmine.htm An Indiatogether article on Sand Mining in Bharathapuzha]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110524080034/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-02/edit-page/28161193_1_sand-mining-sand-mafia-river Bharata, To Kill a River]
*[http://bharathappuzharesort.com/ night in bharathappuzha]

{{Waters of Kerala}}

[[Category:Bharathappuzha| ]]
[[Category:Rivers of Kerala]]
[[Category:Rivers of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rivers of Malappuram district]]
[[Category:Rivers of Palakkad district]]
[[Category:Rivers of Thrissur district]]
[[Category:Rivers of India]]

Bharathappuzha - Revision history

CleanupBot at 05:19, 13 August 2021