Vembanad-Kol Wetland
Loading map…
Overview
Vembanad–Kol is the largest wetland system in Kerala and one of the largest in India, spread over Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
It includes Vembanad Lake, the longest lake in India, and the Kol paddy lands of Thrissur. Kuttanad, where farming is done below sea level, lies on its southern side.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 2002. The Nehru Trophy boat race is held on Punnamada Lake, part of Vembanad.
Geography and key facts
- Kerala; largest wetland in the state
- Vembanad: longest lake in India
- Kuttanad below-sea-level farming
- Ramsar site (2002)
Why it matters for UPSC
Kuttanad is a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System; Thanneermukkom barrage regulates salinity.
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
No question in our Prelims bank names Vembanad-Kol Wetland yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Kerala
- Coordinates
- 9.850°N, 76.350°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)