Ashtamudi Wetland
Loading map…
Overview
Ashtamudi is a large estuarine backwater in Kollam district of Kerala. Its name refers to its many arms – the lake spreads out like the fingers of a palm before meeting the Arabian Sea at Neendakara.
It supports fishing, clam harvesting, coir work and backwater tourism. It was named a Ramsar site in 2002, along with Sasthamkotta and Vembanad-Kol in the same state.
The short-neck clam fishery of Ashtamudi received Marine Stewardship Council certification, the first in India, as an example of community-managed sustainable fishing.
Geography and key facts
- Estuarine backwater, Kollam district, Kerala
- Opens to the Arabian Sea at Neendakara
- Ramsar site (2002)
- Known for clam fisheries and backwater tourism
Why it matters for UPSC
Prelims (2002) asked which water body is a lagoon. Learn Kerala's three Ramsar sites: Ashtamudi, Sasthamkotta and Vembanad-Kol.
Note for UPSC
Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), Kerala.
Ramsar sites come up as wetland–state pairs and in questions on conservation status.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2002 · Q24Which one of the following is a lagoon?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Ashtamudi Wetland.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Kerala
- Coordinates
- 8.967°N, 76.583°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 2002
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)