Vembanad, Brackish water lake in Kerala, India
Vembanad is a brackish lake that spreads through three districts in Kerala, connecting villages, rice fields and canals. The water divides into several arms that flow through shallow lagoons and narrow inlets, forming islands and peninsulas along the way.
A barrier was built across part of the lake in the late 20th century to keep seawater away from the rice fields inland. This construction changed the salinity in certain sections and affected fishing and farming in the surrounding area.
The lake hosts annual snake boat races where teams paddle long carved boats in rhythm together. These competitions draw people from the region who cheer for their crews and see the synchronized paddling as an important part of local sporting traditions.
Houseboats depart from Alappuzha and Kumarakom and offer overnight stays with local meals on board. The best time for a trip is between November and February when the weather is cooler and migratory birds rest on the water.
More than 20,000 waterfowl spend the winter here and use the shallow shores and reed areas as resting places. Observers can often spot herons, kingfishers and migrant species in the morning as they search for fish among the floating plants.
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