| Ashtamudi Lake | |
|---|---|
| അഷ്ടമുടി കായൽ (Malayalam) | |
 An aerial view of the Ashtamudi lake | |
  Ashtamudi Lake | |
| Location | Kollam District, Kerala |
| Coordinates | 8°58′N 76°35′E / 8.967°N 76.583°E |
| Primary inflows | Kallada River |
| Catchment area | 1,700 km2 (660 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | India |
| Surface area | 61.4 km2 (23.7 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 6.4 m (21 ft) |
| Water volume | 76,000,000,000 km3 (1.8×1010 cu mi) |
| Surface elevation | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Islands | Sambranikodi Island Munroe Island Chavara Thekkumbhagom |
| Settlements | Kollam (Metropolitan Area) Kundara (Census Town) |
| Designated | 19 August 2002 |
Ashtamudi Lake (Ashtamudi Kayal, ml: "അഷ്ടമുടിക്കായൽ" ), in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala is a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) water body. It is second only in size to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state. Ashtamudi means 'eight hills or peaks' (Ashta : 'eight'; mudi : 'peaks') 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.[1][2][3] Ashtamudi Wetland was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. [4] Ashtamudi Estuary is the deepest among all the estuaries in Kerala, with a maximum depth of 6.4 meters at the confluence zone.
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] Chinese fishing nets, called cheena vala in Malayalam, are used by local fisherman and are a common sight along the waterway.[1][5][6]
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.[6]
The lake is the source of livelihood of 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.[7]
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.
- ^ a b "Ashtamudi Resort Kollam - Facilities". Archived from the original on 2 June 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008. Back water Retreat Ashtamudi
- ^ "Ashtamudi Lake - Overview". Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2007. Ashtamudi Lake
- ^ "Ramsar cities in Kerala" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ "The List of Wetlands of International Importance" (PDF). The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
- ^ http://www.indiainfoweb.com/kerala/lakes/ashtamudi-lake.html Archived 29 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine Ashtamudi Lake
- ^ a b http://www.kazhakuttom.com/kollam.htm Archived 11 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine Kollam at a Glance
- ^ "Kerala's Ashtamudi lake gets recognition for sustainable clam fishing". The Hindu. 7 November 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 January 2016.