Athirappilly Falls

Athirappilly Falls is situated in Athirappilly panchayath in Thrissur district of Kerala, on the southwest coast of India.

Located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River near the Vazhachal Forest Division and the Sholayur ranges, this 24-metre (80 ft) waterfall and the nearby Vazhachal Falls are popular tourist destinations.

Controversy about a state-proposed hydroelectric dam on the Chalakudy River above the waterfalls began in the 1990s and has continued through 2007.

River

The Chalakudy River, 145 kilometres (90 mi) long, originates in the Anamudi mountains (Western Ghats) [ [http://www.webindia123.com/tourism/beach/athriappilly.htm "Athirappilly - Vazhachal."] Suni Systems (P) Ltd. Retrieved on August 3, 2007.] and flows through the Vazhachal Forest toward the Arabian Sea. Forest wildlife includes the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, bison, sambar, and lion-tailed macaque. Plantations in the area contain teak, bamboo, and eucalyptus. The river initially runs smoothly but becomes more turbulent as it nears Athirappilly. At Athirappilly Falls, the water surges around big rocks and cascades down in three separate plumes. Below the falls, the river remains turbulent for about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) until it reaches Kannamkuzhi. Then it calms and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at Imburmuzhi.

Tourism

.]

Athirappilly is easily reachable from Chalakudy by taxi or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal. Athirappilly is situated on the highways connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, amidst thick forest, so night riding is not advised.

The journey from Chalakudy to the Athirappilly Falls passes through a landscape of winding roads, small villages and lush green trees. Visitors can reach the top of the waterfall via a paved path that leads through thick bamboo clusters. A steep narrow path also leads to the bottom of the falls.

The falls attract visitors from across India, especially during the monsoon months (June-September). About 7 million tourists visit the falls and the Vazhachal picnic spot each year. [ [http://thrissur.nic.in/forestDept.htm "Major Tourist Attractions."] Government of Kerala, Divisional Forest Office, Vazhachal. Retrieved August 4, 2007.]

Movies

The scenic beauty of Athirappilly falls has always been attractive to filmmakers. Major portion of 1986 Tamil movie Punnagai Mannan was shot near the falls, the Falls itself playing a role in it. It made the Falls a popular one in Tamilnadu that it got the nickname "Punnagai Mannan Falls". The 2007 bollywood movie Guru used Athirappilly Falls as one of its locations. Rajiv Menon, the cinematographer of the movie, chose Athirappilly Falls as a background for one of its songs.

Hydroelectric project

In 1994, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) proposed a 163 megawatt Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project. It was to include a dam 23 metres (75 ft) high and 311 metres (1,020 ft) wide on the Chalakudy River in the Vazhachal Forest Division about 5 kilometres (3 mi) upstream of Athirappilly Falls and 400 metres (1,312 ft) upstream of Vazhachal Rapids (Vazhachal Falls). [ [http://www.industelegraph.com/story/2006/3/24/0052/07312 "Environmental clearances quashed."] "The Indus Telegraph", March 30, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2007.] However, environmental groups and people's collectives opposed the project on grounds that it would damage the environment, infringe on human rights, and threaten tourism. [http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061609940400.htm "Protests mark hearing on Athirappilly project."] "The Hindu", June 16, 2006. Retrieved on August 3, 2007.] Though it was not their main concern, critics also noted that if the entire course of the river were diverted to make electricity, the Athirappilly-Vazhachal waterfalls could dry up. To avoid damaging the falls, the KSEB proposed adjusting the water releases to maintain the falls. [http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061609940400.htm] "The Hindu", June 16, 2006]

In 2005, the Kerala Ministry of Environment and Forests approved the project on the basis of a report by Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Ltd. (WAPCOS), an environmental impact assessment (EIA) agency. In 2006, the Kerala High Court quashed the clearance and ordered another public hearing. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/15/stories/2006061515100400.htm "Public hearing on Athirappilly project today."] "The Hindu", June 15, 2006. Retrieved on August 3, 2007.] The debate continued in 2007. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/14/stories/2007041418820100.htm "Athirappilly: panel interacts with people."] "The Hindu", April 14, 2007. Retrieved on August 3, 2007.]

Notes and references

ee also

*Thrissur district
*Cochin
*Chalakudy
*List of waterfalls in India

External links

* [http://chalakudyriver.org Chalakudy River Protection Forum (CPF)]
* [http://thrissur.nic.in/forestDept.htm Official Site: www.thrissur.nic.in]
* [http://www.trichur.com/html/places2.htm Thrissur Website www.trichur.com ]
* [http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/06/stories/2006080603750500.htm Athirappilly Projects ]
* [http://www.blonnet.com/2002/05/03/stories/2002050302601700.htm Vanishing falls]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061609940400.htm Protests mark hearing on Athirappilly project]
* http://www.salimalifoundation.org/cpss.html