Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Vembanad Lake anchor Kerala's backwater tourism

Background

Kumarakom, in Kerala's backwaters, originated as a cluster of small islands formed by Vembanad Lake, described by the Ministry of Tourism as one of the largest freshwater lakes in India. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, spread over about 14 acres of mangrove and marshy wetland, hosts resident and migratory birds including herons, egrets, kingfishers and Siberian cranes. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, featuring traditional snake boats called chundan vallams, is held annually in August on Vembanad Lake. Houseboats known locally as kettuvallams, originally cargo vessels, are now used as tourist accommodation on the backwaters.