Thanneermukkom Bund, also called Thannermukkom Salt Water Barrier, is an upcoming tourist destination that is the largest mud regulator in India, originally constructed under the Kuttanad Development Scheme for helping the farmers. Now, this spot has been transformed into a scenic landscape where all kinds of tourists flock to. With a span of 470m beautiful landscape and 31 shutters on each side, the bund is a usual destination for every tourist that pays a visit to nearby Kumarakom. The scenery of fishermen busy with their tasks, small boats roaming around, and the tranquil Emerald green water- all are a visual treat for tourists’ eyes- especially during the early mornings and evenings.
Speaking of its history, Kuttanad- the Rice Bowl of Kerala- was aiming at producing twice the corp it was producing already with the help of this bund. The bund construction was initiated in 1958 by fellow farmers to prevent the mixing of saltwater into the low-level areas of Kuttanad in order to do better farming. When the bund was built, it separated the Vembanad lake into two parts containing salt water and fresh water each. And the latter one is more famous than the other because it is considered to be the only freshwater coastal reservoir in India. Even though the bund helped a lot in farming, it raised some worse environmental impacts especially on the flora and fauna of the region. By means of the Thanneermukkam and Vechoor villages on either side of the bund, it also connects the two districts of Kottayam and Alappuzha. The shutters of the bund are kept open during the monsoon to pass the floodwaters and remain closed later as per the water conditions.
Getting there:
Nearest Railway station: Cherthala, about 8 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 68 km