Kavvayi Backwater

Kavvayi Backwater
Boat jetty in backwaters
Location	Kerala
Coordinates	12°06′N 75°10′E / 12.100°N 75.167°E / 12.100; 75.167Coordinates: 12°06′N 75°10′E / 12.100°N 75.167°E / 12.100; 75.167
Primary inflows	Kavvayi River
Basin countries	India
Surface area	37 km²
Islands	Valiyaparamba, Kavvayi

Kavvayi Backwater or Kavvayi Kayal located near Payyannur is the third largest backwaters in Kerala and the largest one in north Kerala. Locally called as Kavvayi Kayal or the backwaters of Kavvayi, this lesser known lake of northern Kerala is fed by five rivers viz. River Kavvayi and its tributary streams Kankol, Vannathichal, Kuppithodu, and Kuniyan.^[1] Kavvayi backwaters is named after the Kavvayi island close to Payyannur. Kavvayi used to be an inland port and a major administrative center during the past centuries and during British East India Company rule.

The Kavvayi lake is dotted with several small and big islands, Valiyaparamba island is the biggest among them and it stretches over 16 km².The northern portion of Kavvayi lake is also known as Valiyaparamba backwaters. This Island has a population of 10000. The island's main source of income come from agriculture and fishing. A secluded beach named Valiparamba beach runs parallel to the backwaters on its western side.

From an ecological point of view the backwater of Kavvayi and its surrounding region is considered to be of significance. The Kavvayi backwater is the biggest wetland ecosystem in north Kerala with an area of 37km². The backwater and the wetlands are home to a variety of fauna and flora.^[2]

See also

• Payyannur
• Valiyaparamba
• Kavvayi

References