Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands

2025-10-31T08:22:37Z

117.230.135.156:

{{Short description|Wetland in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = '''Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands'''
| image = Koal fileds of Thrissur.jpg
| caption = A view of Kole Wetlands with birds. A scene from Thomana in [[Thrissur Metropolitan Area]]
| alt = A view of Kole Wetlands with birds
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = [[Thrissur District]] and [[Malappuram District]], [[Kerala]]
| coords = {{coord|10.536|76.176|display=title,inline}}
| pushpin_map = Kerala
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of the Thrissur-Ponnani Kole wetlands within Kerala
| type = Freshwater
| inflow = [[Chalakudy River]], [[Bharathappuzha River]]
| outflow = none
| catchment =
| basin_countries = [[India]]
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|13640|ha|acre|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation =
| frozen =
| islands =
| cities = [[Thrissur]], [[Ponnani]]
|extra =
}}

'''Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands''' (Malayalam: തൃശൂർ-പൊന്നാനി കോൾ പാടങ്ങൾ) is a wetland lying in [[Thrissur District|Thrissur]] and [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] districts in [[Kerala]], [[India]]. It gives 40 per cent of the [[Kerala]]’s rice requirement and acts as a natural drainage system for [[Ponnani]] town, [[Thrissur]] city, [[Thrissur District]], and [[Malappuram district]]. The Kole Wetlands is one of largest, highly productive and threatened wetlands in [[Kerala]] and lie on the [[Central Asian Flyway]] of migratory birds.
[[File:Journey of bhagavathi By Manoj Karingamadathil.jpg|thumb|Kole Wetlands in [[Puzhakkal]], Thrissur City]]

==History==
From 18th century onwards, rice cultivation in Kole lands is said to have been started. But the [[Thrissur]]-[[Ponnani]] Kole lands recorded rice cultivation dates back to 1916 only.

==Geography==
The word ''Kole'' is a [[Malayalam]] word meaning "a bumper yield". It is a particular cultivation method adopted in wastelands in [[Malappuram district]] and [[Thrissur District]] from December to May which are otherwise submerged from June to November, half of the year. The Kole wetlands lie between 10° 20' N and 10° 40' N latitudes, and 75° 58' E and 76° 11' E longitudes. The Kole wetlands are low lying tracts located {{convert|0.5| to| 1|m}} below Mean Sea Level (MSL) and remain submerged for about six months in a year. Kole lands in [[Thrissur]] are spread over eight blocks{{clarify|what is a block?|date=September 2023}}. The average annual rainfall is {{convert|3,200|mm}} and temperature varies from {{convert|28|to|31.5|°C}}.

The Kole Wetlands cover an area of about {{convert|13,632|ha}} spread over [[Thrissur district]] and [[Malappuram district]]. The area extends from [[Chalakudy River]] in South to [[Bharathappuzha River]] in the North, and to [[Ponnani]] Taluk. The Kole Wetlands acts as natural drainage system for [[Thrissur]] city and [[Thrissur district]] through a network of canals and ponds which connects different parts of Kole Wastelands to Enamavu river, one of the smallest River in Kerala, Canoli Canal, Chettuva River and then to the [[Arabian Sea]]. It is fertile with [[alluvium]] soil which is deposited [[Kechery]] and [[Karuvannoor]] river in the monsoon.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/10/14/stories/2007101450020200.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016093454/http://hindu.com/mag/2007/10/14/stories/2007101450020200.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2007-10-16
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|title=Warning bells in Kole
|date=2007-10-14
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ecoinsee.org/6bconf/Theme%20A/AB.3.2%20Jeena.pdf
|title=Agriculture-wetland interactions and sustainability of rice cultivation in the Kole land, Kerala
|publisher=Jeena T Srinivasan
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/08/stories/2011010860470300.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424070830/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/08/stories/2011010860470300.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2011-04-24
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|title=Project to protect kole wetlands
|date=2011-01-08
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/18/stories/2011041854330700.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719072933/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/18/stories/2011041854330700.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2011-07-19
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|title=Migratory fish spotted in kole land
|date=2011-04-18
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref>

==Fauna==
[[File:Puzhakkal river tourism 4.jpg|thumb|left| [[Puzhakkal River]], one of the rivers which go through the Kole Wetlands and provide water for rice cultivation]]
In terms of the number of birds, the Thrissur Kole Wetlands is the third largest in [[India]] after [[Chilika Lake]] in [[Orissa, India|Orissa]] and Amipur Tank in [[Gujarat]]. It has been recognised as one of India's Important Bird Areas by [[BirdLife International]]. According to studies, there are 241 species of birds like [[spot-billed pelican]], [[darter]], [[Oriental darter]], [[black-headed ibis]], [[painted stork]], [[black-bellied tern]], [[cinereous vulture]] and [[greater spotted eagle]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintJournal/2000/October/344-349.pdf
|title=Birds of Kole wetlands, Thrissur, Kerala
|publisher=C Sivaperuman and E. A. Jayson
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-13/kochi/31054874_1_ramsar-wetland-garganey
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103102600/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-13/kochi/31054874_1_ramsar-wetland-garganey
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2013-01-03
|work=[[The Times of India]]
|title=Wetland birds in Kerala on the rise
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref> Fishes like ''[[Caranx]]'', [[Cyprinidae]], [[mangrove red snapper]], ''[[Megalops cyprinoides]]'' and [[barramundi]] are also found in Kole Wetland.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/18/stories/2011041854330700.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719072933/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/18/stories/2011041854330700.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2011-07-19
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|title=Migratory fish spotted in kole land
|date=2011-04-18
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article81897.ece
|title=Hunting of wetland birds on the rise
|work=The Hindu
|access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/07/22/stories/2007072250120700.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823215559/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/07/22/stories/2007072250120700.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2007-08-23
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|title=Feathered friends
|date=2007-07-22
|access-date=2012-06-19}}</ref>
[[File:Sunrise over the Pullu Padam with a Morning drizzle.jpg|thumb|Sunrise over the Pullu Padam with a Morning drizzle]]
[[File:Bird's Nest Thrissur Kole Wetlands DSC 5179.jpg|thumb|Bird's Nest Thrissur Kole Wetlands]]

==Threat==
The main threat to Kole Wetlands is expansion of cities and towns like city of [[Thrissur]]. The boom in construction industry, especially the real estate business in Central [[Kerala]], has rung the alarm bell for the Kole wetlands.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.environmentportal.in/files/Real%20Estate%20and%20Agricultural.pdf|title=Real estate and Agricultural Wetlands in Kerala|journal=Economic & Political Weekly|publisher=PP Nikhil Raj and PA Azeez|volume=44|issue=5 |pages=63–66|access-date=10 November 2013}}</ref> Coconut cultivation, construction of buildings and houses, conversion of fields for sand and clay mining and brick kilns, hunting of wetland birds are the main threats for the Kole wetlands. Fresh [[water scarcity|water shortage]] and quality of water due to water intrusion from the [[Canoly Canal]] has been reported from various parts of Kole wetlands in [[Thrissur district]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article81897.ece
|title=Hunting of wetland birds on the rise
|work=The Hindu
|access-date=2012-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/18/stories/2011041854330700.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719072933/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/18/stories/2011041854330700.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2011-07-19
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|title=Migratory fish spotted in kole land
|date=2011-04-18
|access-date=2012-06-19}}</ref>

==[[Kole Development Agency]]==
[[File:Koal agriculture kerala.jpg|thumb|right| Rice cultivation in Kole Wastelands in [[Thrissur Metropolitan Area]]]]
[[File:Farming Thrissur Kole Wetlands DSC 5193 7360.jpg|thumb|Farming Thrissur Kole Wetlands]]
The [[Government of India]] has approved Rs 425-crore project for the comprehensive development of [[Thrissur]] Kole fields. The fund will be used for infrastructure development, construction of bunds, canals, roads, farm mechanisation in Kole fields. At the Rs 15 crore a research centre would be set up to study the Kole land development. The [[Government of Kerala]] has formed a Special Purpose Vehicle for the implementation of the Kole development project and the District Collector of [[Thrissur]] is designated as special officer to coordinate implementation of the package.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article3497118.ece
|title=Complaints on fair value of land to be redressed in 3 months
|work=The Hindu
|access-date=2012-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2926651.ece
|title=Rs.425 crore for Kole land development
|work=The Hindu
|access-date=2012-06-19}}</ref> For the implementation of the project, [[Government of Kerala]] has opened an agency known as Kole Development Agency (KDA) in Thrissur City on 30 June for the development of Kole farming. [[Thrissur District]] Collector is the special officer to implement the project.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-24/kochi/32392817_1_thrissur-ponnani-kda
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103072945/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-24/kochi/32392817_1_thrissur-ponnani-kda
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2013-01-03
|work=[[The Times of India]]
|title=Kole package to be launched on Chingam 1
|access-date=2012-06-27}}</ref>

== Kole Birders Collective ==
Inspired by the rich biodiversity, ecological significance and agricultural potential of the Kole Wetlands a group of individuals with a shared vision came together to form the Kole Birders Collective.

As a tribute to the essence of the Kole wetlands, the collective has been conducting yearly photo exhibitions titled “Kaanapadavukal” from 2024..

“Kaanapadavukal 2.0” was held at the Thrissur Lalithakala Academy Art Gallery from April 30th to May 7th 2025.

Featuring over 200 remarkable photographs captured by more than 100 photographers from the Kole wetlands, the exhibition was a celebration of nature’s splendor and the tireless efforts of the Kole Birders Collective supported by wetland lovers..

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Edappal malappuram(district) kerala infia.jpg|A view of [[paddy field]] from [[Edappal]], [[Ponnani taluk]], [[Malappuram district]]
Image:Adat Ombathumuri Paadam Thrissur DSCN0887.JPG|A view of [[paddy field]] from Thrissur district
Image:Beeyam Kayal River near Athani.jpg|A view from Athani, [[Malappuram district]]
Image:ഒമ്പതുമുറി പാടശേഖരം 1.jpg| A board which announces the citizen to protect the birds. A view from [[Thrissur district]]
Image:Kerala Houseboat (191490747).jpeg|The Biyyam backwater of [[Ponnani]], [[Malappuram district]], is located on the bank of Kole Wetlands.
Image:Irrigation at paddy land DSCN0550.jpg| A view of paddy field from [[Thrissur district]]
Image:Light house in Ponnani.jpg|[[Bharathappuzha]], the second-longest river of Kerala, merges with [[Arabian Sea]] at [[Ponnani Lighthouse|Ponnani port]], near the Kole Wetlands.
Image:Thanikkudam - Paddy farms.jpg| A view of paddy field from [[Thrissur district]]
Image:Adat Ombathumuri Paadam Thrissur DSCN0862.JPG| A view of paddy field from [[Thrissur district]]
Image:കൊയ്ത് കഴിഞ്ഞ പാടം.jpg| A view of paddy field from [[Thrissur district]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands}}

{{Thrissur topics}}
{{Malappuram district}}
{{South Malabar}}

[[Category:Wetlands of India]]
[[Category:Geography of Malappuram district]]
[[Category:Geography of Thrissur district]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Kerala]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Malappuram district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thrissur district]]
[[Category:Landforms of Kerala]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2002]]
[[Category:Bharathappuzha]]

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Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands