Overview
Alappuzha district, also known as Alleppey, is a coastal district in the state of Kerala on the south-western coast of India. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west and is known for its dense network of backwaters, lagoons, canals and lakes that form part of the Kerala backwater system. The district headquarters is the town of Alappuzha, which has historically been a significant port and centre of the coir industry.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Kerala |
| Region | Central Kerala / Travancore |
| Headquarters | Alappuzha (Alleppey) |
| Date of formation | 17 August 1957 |
| Coastline | Arabian Sea (west) |
| Major water body | Vembanad Lake |
| Official language | Malayalam |
Geography
Alappuzha is the only district in Kerala without a forest area. It lies almost entirely in the coastal lowland and midland zones, and is characterised by paddy fields, coconut groves, rivers, canals and the backwaters. The Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala, forms much of the district's eastern boundary. The Kuttanad region, sometimes referred to as the "rice bowl of Kerala," is notable for cultivation that takes place below sea level, a practice recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organization as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.
Major rivers and waterways flowing through or bordering the district include the Pamba, the Achankovil and the Manimala, which drain into Vembanad Lake. The district is connected to neighbouring areas by the National Waterway 3 (the West Coast Canal between Kollam and Kottapuram), which passes through Alappuzha town.
Administration
The district is divided into taluks for administrative purposes, including Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara. It contains the municipalities of Alappuzha, Cherthala, Kayamkulam, Mavelikara, Chengannur and Haripad, along with several gram panchayats and block panchayats. The district is administered by a District Collector under the Government of Kerala.
History
The town of Alappuzha was developed as a port in the late 18th century under Raja Kesavadas, the Diwan of Travancore during the reign of Maharaja Rama Varma (Dharma Raja). The port grew rapidly as a centre for the export of spices, coir and cashew, and Alleppey came to be referred to as the "Venice of the East" because of its canal network.
The modern district was constituted on 17 August 1957, shortly after the formation of the state of Kerala in 1956, by carving out areas from the erstwhile Quilon (Kollam) and Kottayam districts. It was originally named Alleppey district; the name was officially changed to Alappuzha in keeping with the Malayalam pronunciation.
Economy
The district's economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, fisheries, the coir industry and trade. Coir manufacture, centred around Alappuzha and Cherthala, is one of the oldest organised industries in Kerala, and the district is home to the Coir Board's research and development establishments. Tourism, particularly houseboat (kettuvallam) tourism on the backwaters, has become a major economic activity, with Kumarakom and Alleppey ranking among Kerala's most visited destinations.
Kuttanad's paddy cultivation, fish farming and duck rearing are economically and culturally distinctive. Cashew processing, traditional boat building and handloom weaving are also practised in the district.
Culture and tourism
Alappuzha is well known for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, an annual snake-boat race held on Punnamada Lake, instituted after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's visit to the region in 1952. The race features chundan vallams (snake boats) and is among the largest team sport events in India. Other prominent festivals include the temple festivals at Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple and the Maramon Convention held on the banks of the Pamba.
The district is also a centre of Kerala cuisine specialities such as the Ambalappuzha paal payasam.
Transport
Alappuzha is served