The Chaliyar River – Before / Now / After

With the astonishing length of 169 Km, Chaliyar is the 4th longest river in Kerala. The Chaliyar was extensively used as a waterway for carrying timber from the forest areas in and around Nilambur to the various mills in Kallai of Calicut city, mostly during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Even in the drought season, Chaliyar doesn't get dried up unlike some of the other rivers. Most of the rivers in Kerela dry up in march and april. A few years ago ecological damage was caused by a pulp factory at Mavoor that released effluents into the Chaliyar river and affected the marine life.
https://youtu.be/w-qLaIjHlMU
In the region between Elamaram and Pallikkadavu, fish mortality occurred on a large scale in the Chaliyar river near Calicut from 7-3-1979 to 16-3-1979. Large quantities of waste water from the Gwalior Rayons Factory located at Mavoor was seen discharged into the river through the emergency outlet at Elamaram, on the evening of 6-3-1979 as per the information gathered from the inhabitants on the banks of the river. The possibility of occurrence of some metallic poison in the water
couldn't be ruled out as the fishes disappeared from the heavily polluted areas. 

      Government of Kerala has now decided to close down the Pulp and Fibre divisions of the Factory till pollution abatement measures are completed.This factory has since closed down.

CHALIYAR AND FEROKE BRIDGE

The 100+ year old Feroke Railway Bridge has now been replaced by a brand new bridge as part of track doubling. The old Feroke Road Bridge can also be seen next to it.This new bridge was commissioned for service 2002. The granite pillars of the old bridge which was pulled down can be seen on the right. It (Old Bridge) was a wonderful piece of engineering marvel using available resources and materials.

In the banks of Chaliyar, Kallikkad Forests spreads over an area of around 10 acres and is very suitable for students and research scholars. Every year as a part of Onam celebrations a boat race is conducted here.

Nilambur is another beautiful town on the banks of Chaliyar river. It is famous for its teak plantation which boasts of being the oldest one in the entire world. This teak plantation, 'Conollys Plot' spreads over an area of 2.31 hectares and is beside the Chaliyar river. The main attraction here is the oldest teak. 

Kannimari Ferries are available to take you round a trip on the Chaliyar River. Very close by is the world's first teak museum where you can have a comprehensible knowledge of everything related to teak. The museum is housed in a two storied building. Very close to the Nilambur town (around 18 km) is Nedumkayam - the rich rain forest. Prior permission is required to visit this forest, but once inside you can view the elephants and deers roaming around freely in the forest from a cottage that was built during the British era. There is also an elephant training centre here. Half an hour jeep ride from Nedumkayam will bring you to Mancherri, the settlement of Chola Naikas, a primitive tribe. 

The town itself is famous for the Kovilakoms, or the residence of the rajas. The kovilakams have beautiful frescoes and art work in wood to attract our. Chaliyar Hospital, Nilambur is a 150-bed multi speciality hospital with modern amenities located at Nilambur Town in an area with village atmosphere and civic facilities with temperate climate. 

The history of vazhakkad is being related to the Chaliyar River. This place was under the governance of Samothirians before coming in the hands of the British. 

As a result of this Nilambur Kovilakam, Kizhakke Kovilakam, Padinjare Kovilakam etc became the landlords.As a part of the freedom fight many eminent leaders like K. Kelappan, Muhammad Abdul Rahim, Moidu Moulavi, A.V. Kuttymalu Amma, K.M. Seethi Sahib, and Pokar Sahib etc stepped in vazhakkad. Later the district board member Azhakath Kodoli Kunjunni Nair also came. He became the president for the construction of roads, hospitals, wells, Harijan schools and other institutions.The factory in Mavoor named Gwalior Rayon’s factory started in 1960s has played a crucial role in changing the life style of the people here.Apart from all these certain negative impacts took place due to the factory outlets. The air and water pollution that happened during that period is still a bad dream in minds of people here.

“I am participating in the Chaliyar River Challenge activity at AdventureN in association with Jellyfish Watersports”

#chaliyarriverchallenge

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