The enchanting greenery and natural scenario of Kerala are linked with the gift of God in the form of rivers. Periyar, originating from the Shivani Hills, Bharathapuzha, Pampa the river of pilgrims, Chaliyar which originates from Illam Thalavi Hills are major rivers. In central Kerala in the districts of Idukki, Kottayam and Alappuzha, Meenachil which is 78 miles in length is a major river. It has the network of numerous rills, runnels, beeks, brooks, creeks, streams and tributaries.
The river flows through Alappuzha and Kottayam districts. It also flows in Idukki district which is the western boundary of the river.

Vaikom and Meenachil taluks in Kottayam district are also bounded by the river. The Meenachil river originates from an altitude of about 1156 meters from the sea level.The Meenachil river has the total area of 1208.11sq.km and the river covers an area of 52 villages, 51 panchayats and 18 block panchayats. Chaganacherry and Kanjirappally taluks form the eastern boundary of the river.

Meenachil river is formed by the Western Ghats- Kadampuzha from Annakunnumudi, the Thikovil from the Kurisumala, Marmalayar from Poonjar, the Chittoor river, river from Kolahalamedu, create the Meenachil river. She merges in the Vempand lake, the largest backwater of Kerala. Thus the river flows through a broad landscape which has meadows, hills, isolated hillocks, narrow waterways, swamps, marshes and reclaimed lands.

Actually there is no region in Kottayam which is not linked to the Meenachil river through its tributories. The presence of Meenachil is sensed through floods in the monsoon and draught in the summer. The people of villages on the banks of rivers claim that they have lost lands through soil erosion. It is found out during the last 70 years at least 40 per cent of the land in riverbank is lost through soil erosion. There is a great increase in the width of the river. Sand mining is pointed out as one of the major causes behind this transformation. Elder generations reveal how scarcity of water was unknown in the summer. They used to collect water by digging pits in the sands. As sand was abundant water was clear and there occurred three or four floods during monsoon. They point out how the river became filthy and is becoming unsuitable for bathing.

The river changed its direction for the last 50 years. Most of the brooklets and rivulets have disappeared. The elder generation recollects that the river was also a source of transportation. Boats used to bring fish. Similarly petty traders used to come in boats with bangles, flowers and other cosmetic items in the rural areas. It is curious to note that the river from Kidangoor to Kottayam (25 km) is very suitable for water transportation for most part of the year with the exception of monsoon seasons. There is tremendous possibility for eco tourism through water rides with lush greenery and calm river.

Like any other river, the Meenachil river also has profane space. In the Kottayam Taluk there are eight major temples of Travancore Devaswom Board. Most of the annual festivals are associated with river as Aarattu (ceremonial bath of the lord accompanied by Poojas on the river bank) takes place on the last day of the festival. The Aarattu and ceremonial journey of the lord in boat (Palliyodam) in the river are rooted in many legends. The places in the river, adjoining temples (Aarattukadavu), become sacred places during the festival. Most of the temples also have boat races as part of the rituals. Thus the Meenachil river is the part and parcel of the life of the rural areas as it is the source of water in wells and for vegetation on the banks. It is the source of water supply to the urban centres in Kottayam Taluk also.

In November and December rural people from Karnataka region come and settle here for a few days. They have traditional system of preparing net on a large scale which is merged in the river. They usually get big catch and will sell it in the markets. Thus the Meenachil River literally means “river of meen”[fish]. There are 78 varieties of fish in the river. Further, for the last 20 years the river has become the source of sand, which attracts many to sand mining, both legally and illegally.

Dr C.Vijayalakshmi
The writer is Lecturer, B.K. College for Women, Amalagiri, Kottayam

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