prakrithi gramam

Ezhattumugham, Kerala

Ezhattumugham is a country village in the Ernakulam district of Kerala India. It is situated 11.8 km from the nearest Nedumbassery Airport, Ernakulam, Kerala, India and 40 km from Cochin. You can get there hiring a taxi from the nearest town Angamaly as there is no public transport to the location.Ezhattumugham is around 80 km from Kochi. Though there are a few shortcuts via Angamaly, it is best to reach Chalakkudy and proceed from there.

Prakrithi Gramam

Quaint and serene, the river Chalakkudy at Ezhattumugham is a picture postcard coming to life – its flow punctuated by islets of greenery and boulders of all sizes and trees growing right in the middle of the gently moving water. A full-grown tree surrounded and nurtured by flowing water is a sight one cannot easily forget. And the mini waterfalls, which not only tickle your feet, but also remind you of the gentle force of water.

At one point, the Chalakkudy gets by the islets and boulders into seven flowing streams, and that is how Ezhattumugham (seven faces of a river) gets its name. Look around and there are so many shades of green, yellow and brown that you soon lose count — more shades than the computer can create for any paint company. Earthy collour   must also include grey and black, you get convinced, looking at the boulders.

During the non-monsoon months, the river bares its beautiful depths and you can walk on these boulders and islets through shallow water, right to the other bank of the river. If you are not the kind who gets scared easily, that is. Ezhattumugham lies in Ayyampuzha panchayat in Ernakulam district. While one side of the river is the northernmost end of Ernakulam district, the other bank of the river is where Thrissur district begins. But the river belongs to Thrissur, villagers are quick to add. During the monsoon months, the river hides the smaller islets and the water sometimes reaches the road by the banks.

The river and the islets coexist in absolute harmony. The smaller islets are the kingdoms of wild shrubs, trees, birds and squirrels. On the bigger islets cash crops, like coconut and banana, grow. So who planted them? Murali, who runs a shop by the river, says industrious people have just used the land in a productive way. Nobody owns them. In fact, he adds nonchalantly, even his shop has no title deed.

A narrow pathway goes down from the road, by the side of his shop, to the point where the river gets split into seven. On the banks, there are about 20 sacks of sand piled up. The local people have collected it for their own use, not for selling, a passerby informs you. Tourists do come, in a small way, but only during weekends, when they want to chill out, he says with a mischievous smile.

Ezhattumugham is yet to enter the tourist's itinerary for one very good reason. About 13 km away, uphill, lays the majestic Athirappally Falls, which sashayed into celluloid history with Raavan, starring Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan. Film crews, both from the north and the south, often camp in its precincts to exploit its raw appeal. Therefore the quiet charm of Ezhattumugham, through which Chalakkudy flows leisurely, remains eclipsed by the glamour of Athirappally.

While Athirappally evokes awe, Ezhattumugham calms the soul. There are no signages to take you here and local people give you several directions including shortcuts, where crater-sized potholes pass off as roads. The oil palm estates of the Plantation Corporation form a big part of Ezhattumugham.

The state government's attempt to woo tourists began with Prakriti Gramam, a park on the side of a check-dam at Ezhattumugham. People walk along this check dam and cross over to the other side of the river. Poorly maintained, with little security, the park, built less than five years ago, is at best a glorified entrance to the check dam. An outlet selling biscuits and soft drinks is manned by Shinoj, who tells you the people who live there, like him, are mostly families of plantation workers. Acres of oil palm trees, with parasitic creepers all over them, line the road to Ezhattumugham. Women carry baskets of red oil-palm nut bunches to a lorry to be taken to Anchal, near Kollam, for processing.

According to a report of the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Chalakudy could well be the richest river in fish diversity in India, with thick vegetation on both sides. The sleepy village and the shallow parts of the river at Ezhattumugham, where you can sit and do what you like, can be a writer's delight and a balm for frayed nerves.

 

Ezhattumugham Tourist Spot shallow chalakudy river water rapids latest video in Kerala South India Enjoy shallow water rapids at Ezhattumugham best shallow waterfall tourist spot in Kerala. The confluence of seven rivers, Ezhattumugham is an enchanting, ever flowing river that chatters and rushes along its long winding journey across thick forests, plantations, hills and dales. According to a report of the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Chalakudy could well be the richest river in fish diversity in India, with thick vegetation on both sides. The sleepy village and the shallow parts of the river at Ezhattumugham, where you can sit and do what you like, can be a writer's delight and a balm for frayed nerves. One side of the river is the northernmost end of Ernakulam district, the other bank of the river is where Thrissur district begins. But the river belongs to Thrissur, villagers are quick to add. During the monsoon months, the river hides the smaller islets and the water sometimes reaches the road by the banks.

The much-hyped ‘Prakriti Gramam’ or Nature Village being developed at Ezhattumugam, 40 km off Kochi city, will be thrown open to the public in two months. Unique in many respects, the second phase of the model eco-friendly responsible tourism project focuses on development in harmony with the locally-available resources.

“Prakriti Gramam is a one-of-its kind project especially in terms of Responsible Tourism as it has seen the active participation of local people. Majority of the work has been completed. The facilities are expected to be available in two months,” secretary of Ernakulam DTPC P B Jayasankar said.

    However, the first phase launched in 2006� failed to draw picnic-goers. Hence, the village has now come up with facilities including accommodation set in rustic ambience, organic vegetable/fruit garden, poultry unit, goat and cow farms, an organic food park, solar-powered lighting and greenhouses.� A major attraction of the project is indeed the green house concept. The visitors can buy saplings from the green house set up at the site. They can then plant them in the designated areas in the village, thereby contributing to the green footprint of the Prakriti Gramam.

The tourists will be assisted by the local gardeners and the Kudumbashree workers.

The construction and the maintenance of the park will have the active participation of Kudumbashree units, Janasree units, local gardeners and various panchayat beneficiaries. Tree houses and eco-cottages built using locally available materials like bamboo, will house the tourists coming to the village.

The work is being done on a Modernize Operate Transfer basis at a cost of `33 lakh with an agreement for operation for a period of 10 years

If you had visited Ezhattumugham a few years back, you will be truly and sweetly surprised to see all the changes that have happened over here in the past few months.  The whole place has just had a complete makeover so that it has changed to a very good family picnic spot.   Just about 45Km away from Ernakulam, Ezhattumugham is now accessible more easily than ever before.

The picnic spot is called Ezhattumugham Prakriti Gramam and it is a tourism project backed by the Govt. of Kerala.  The place offers a play area for children, tree houses for amusement, refreshment stall, a medium sized parking space, a park and bathing spots alongside the Chalakkudy River.  And the number of people coming here shows that they like the place domestic tourism is in an upswing.

 Reaching Ezhattumugham Prakrithi Gramam

If you are coming from the Ernakulam side of old NH47, just after Angamali, take a right deviation at Karayamparampu junction.  You cannot miss this junction because it is just after Angamali and you can see a towering church on the left of the junction.  Most of the road we travel is in good shape and with relatively less traffic.  The last few kilometers near to Ezhattumugham Prakrithi Gramam is a palm tree plantation and the road is not in very healthy condition. Before entering this area, we need to climb down at a forest check post and fill in our vehicle number and name.

If you are coming from the Thrissur side of NH47, take the left deviation from Chalakkudy toward Athirappilly. When you reach Silver Storm water theme park, take the deviation to right and cross the Chalakkudy river.  From there, you will reach Ezhattumugham Prakrithi Gramam within 20 minutes.

On the right side  is the gps trace of the round trip travel from Edappilly to Ezhattumugham to Silver storm to Chalakkudy to Edappilly to Palarivattom.

If you make a trip connecting Ezhattumugham Prakrithi Gramam and Athirappilly Waterfalls, it will be a nice circuit. At present from Ernakulam city, this can be considered as a perfect get away!

 And if you plan to visit here, be prepared for a whater theme park.  You may like to bring additional clothings (atleast for kids) because it is almost sure that you are going to jump into the makeshift pools the nature has prepared for you!

 If you are based at Ernakulam or Thrissur, and you plan for a short trip where you want to enjoy yourself, enjoy the nature and do not mind being away from urban amenitie, this is your place for a trip.  If you want to visit Athirappilly, certainly this is your place to extend the circuit.

Activities: Once you reach Ezhattumugham Prakrithi Gramam, what do you want to do?  Well, there are options.  Kids have a good time in the small park in the Gramam.  It is really small and just have one or two swings.  But still kids will have fun.  Then there are some tree houses.  At present it is not clear as what the organizers really mean to do with them.  But, if you pay a small fees, you can occupy the tree house for one hour.  But it is not if it is applicable for a big team; the tree houses cannot accommodate big teams anyway.  Some tree houses have wooden ladders to climb to the top; others have rop ladders.  We found that some of the families were having a real good time having their snacks in the tree houses.

Then move on to the river side.  Just sit there in the cool shade relaxing, while the outside world simmers in the hot sun.  Or immerse yourself in the small pools built by the nature herself.  If you reach here in the summer time, everything is safe since water will be scarce.  But during rainy seasons, it is real dangerous to go near the river.  What we found is that during the summer, a lot and lot of families reach here to just stay immersed in the cool waters.   You can have walk over the check-dam built across the river.  Across the river, there is another park.

Food: There is a self-service caffeteria in the Gramam.  But it is a small one where you can expect tea, coffee, bread, chicken curry, and other fast food items.  But you certainly can bring your own food or even prepare food here(at least that is the situation right now; the organizors may choose to disalow this practice.)

Security: Unfortunately, this is an area yet to be developed in Ezhattumugham picnic spot.  During our earlier visits to Ezhattumugham, anybody who knew this place was not allowing us (a couple) to go there on our own.  Everyone was saying that this spot is for groups who prefer to enjoy booz.  To some extend that was true.  Now that is changed, a heavy rush of families are making the place much more attractive.  But, we could not see any security agents or police officers who should be available to control such a crowd.  Hope the organizors will understand this and deploy good security in the area.

Other amenities: There is toilet facilities.  Nothing else.

Tickets and other charges: Entry fee is rupees Ten per person.  Still cameras require a fee of rupees hundred and video cameras require rupees 250.  But if you have a handycam, you can negotiate and the charge will be reduced to rupees hundred and fifty.
Parking fees for two wheelers is rupees five, four wheelers is rupees ten and bigger vehicles rupees twenty.  There is ample parking space to hold a sizeable holiday crowd.
Tree house charge are of two types; rupees thirty for one hour for houses with wooden ladder.  For houses with rop ladder, the fee is just rupees Twenty for one hour.  But there is noone to regulate the visitors; so it is upto the visitors themselves to regulate their stay.

What not to do:                                                 

·         If you are a couple, do not wander away from others and do not dip yourself with scant clothing.  

·         Keep away from littering plastic waste.  

·         It is prohibitted to walk in the sever; but during the summer, it is not dangearous.  But during rainy season, do not venture into the river because heavy water may rush in at any moment.  

·         Fishing is not allowed.

·         Keep away from consuming liquor.

Renovation

3rd July 2012 :Ezhattumugham Prakrithi Gramam is being rennovated.  Five more tree houses are being built and they will be air conditioned.  Government is taking the action for providing electricity for the area.  And the District Tourism Promotion Council is trying to provide night stay here.  Another proposed change is to create a hanging bridge connecting across the river.

A few days ago, we visited Prakriti Gramam, around 15 kms off the NH47 in Trichur District (Kerala.) Ezhattumukham, the place where the village is situated is very close to Chalakkudy.

The village is part of a plantation and well laid out. Plump palm trees, bright greenery, other plantations and best of all a river flowing through, are the highlights. There is a mini dam where the water is deep inside the dam and shallow outside, on the rocky sides. People can actually walk on water!!!! On the walls of the dam, which lies under the water and the water cascades down non stop. Beautiful is not the word. The scenery is breath taking, the water fresh and the air cool. There are many nooks and corners for the families that come in, to have their privacy and splurge around.

The entry fee is Rs.5/- and for using a camera Rs.100/- Entry fee to the tree house is Rs.20/- but it might turn out to be a waste as its next to impossible climbing the shaky rope ladder unless you are being chased by an elephant or tiger!! There’s a snack shop with limited wares. It is better to make your own arrangements for emergency food and water if you are planning to spend a day here. (they did have black tea and some stuff cooking on the stove, inside their kitchen). The maintenance is satisfactory though I would have loved it if they had cleared up the few plastic bottles and paper plates lying in some corner. It wasn’t a major issue but nevertheless a small distraction, which should be nipped in the bud.

Reaching here – Cochin Airport is only 1.5 hours away. Trichur District is well connected by rail too. Accommodation in Cochin would be my suggestion which can be kept as a base for other visits and shopping.

The beauty of Ezhattumugham is something which comes to close to making an impact similar to what Daffodils made to Wordsworth, but considering the beauty of Kerala as a whole, and for a Keralite who manages to see similar things every day, it might not be a big deal. Still, at a time when the nature is diminishing even in God’s own country and the nation as a whole, due to the materialistic tendency and the industrial nonsense, there is the need to witness the beauty of Ezhattumgham, the land of seven streams – the seven faces of a river which flows in a different style through different parts of the rocky areas Ezhattumugham has been taken away from the people and the tourist map more by the Athirappally-Vazhachal Waterfalls which has always been a huge tourist destination. Its popularity has actually made Ezhattumugham a less significant place of interest. In the case of Kodanad and Paniyeli-Poru, the same thing has been working in a different manner, as Paniyeli-Poru has been rising above Kodanad as the new place of natural relief. Even the condition of the roads seem to tell the same story of neglect. There are no signboards either, except for the directions to Athirappally and two major water theme parks which are located nearby. The easier path from Cochin to Ezhattumugham would be a right turn at Karayamparambu, just after Angamaly, easily identified by the end of a bridge and the view of the huge white dome of Saint Joseph’s Church. A few kilometres later, the path is confirmed to be correct when you see the Mookkannoor church straight in front of you during a left turn. Then comes the time when you have to ask and ask for directions, thus clearing those uncertanities about reaching that world of serenity.

They are planning to make more tree huts with full facilities for the accommodation for the gust, now they have no enough facilities like electricity and proper management etc… But now DTPC is involving in this destination, they are providing various plans for development of the destination also the local support in order to this destination many of small sectors were depending like farm tourism, village tourism, eco tourism and also we can see home stays and kudumba sree units and janasree units were doing their best for the development of prakrithi gramam.

Prakrithi gramam is an developing destination coming days we can say that one of the best tourism destination in Kerala