Munroe Island

Munroe Island (Malayalam : മണ്‍റോത്തുരുത്ത്) or Mundrothuruthu is an inland island group located at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River, in Kollam district, Kerala, South India. It is a group of eight small islets comprising a total area of about 13.4 sqkm.[1] The island, accessible by road, rail and inland water navigation, is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Kollam by road, 38 kilometres (24 mi) north from Paravur, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) west from Kundara and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Karunagapally. As of the 2011 Indian census, the administrative village of Mundrothuruth (which includes nearby small villages as well) has a total population of 9599, consisting of 4636 males and 4963 females.

For an Island with same name from Philippines, see Munroe Island (Philippines).
"Mundrothuruth" redirects here. For the 2016 film, see Mundrothuruth (film).

Munroe Island
Native name:
Munrothuruthu
Lake Ashtamudi at Munroe Island
Munroe Island
Location in Kerala, India
EtymologyIn honour of Col. John Munro
Geography
LocationAshtamudi Lake in India
Coordinates9°0′0″N 76°37′0″E
ArchipelagoIslands of Kollam
Adjacent bodies of waterLake Ashtamudi
Total islands8
Major islandsMunroe Island,Perungalam, Pattamthuruth, Pezhumthuruth
Area13.37 km2 (5.16 sq mi)
Administration
Largest MetropolisKollam (Quilon) (pop. 397419)
Demographics
Population10380 (2011)
Pop. density776/km2 (2,010/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsMalayali
Additional information
Time zone
Official websitewww.munroeisland.co.in
The nearest Railway Station is Munroturuttu railway station.

The place is named in honour of Resident Colonel John Munro of the former Princely State of Travancore. The islands measure 13.4 square kilometres (5.2 sq mi) in area.

History

In 1795 the British established their supremacy in South India and the princely state of Travancore came under their governance. From 1800 onwards, a Resident was appointed by East India Company as administrative head of Travancore. The first Resident was Colonel Colin Macaulay, followed by Colonel John Munro. During his tenure Munro oversaw the land reclamation efforts in the delta where Kallada River joins Ashtamudi Lake and the reclaimed island was named after him as Munroe Island. The Dutch Church here in Munroe Island is one of the ancient churches in Kerala. It was built by the Dutch in 1878. The red brick church is a blend of Dutch-Kerala architecture on the scenic banks of Lake Ashtamudi.[2]

The villagers depended on coconut coir manufacturing as livelihood, however, post Indian Ocean tsunami, things have changed.

Tourism
Uninhabited island in Munroe
Tourism in Munroe Island.

The island village is a tourism destination where one can see the coir retting process, coir weaving, fishing, prawns feeding, migratory bird watch, narrow canals and waterways, coconut farms on the lake shore, lagoons, mangrove plants and the beautiful tiny islands of Pathupara.

Kallada Boat Race, which is one of the famous boat races in Kerala,[3] is at Karuvathrakadavu- Muthiraparambu nettayam in Munroe Island.

Submerging Threat

Low-lying areas of the Island are now under a threat of Submerging in high tides. This is post tsunami phenomena. An expert team from the Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, Kollam has started a study into the phenomena. The team headed by Prof. Gouri Antharjanam, and consisting of Prof. Suniil Kumar, Prof. Sruthi. R. Krishnan, Prof. Amal Azad and Prof. Udayakumar made several visits to the Island.[4] The death of Lans Naik Sudheesh of this island in the Border area at Siachin has invoked interest of the outer world to the problems of this Place.[5] The island's population has been steadily declining resulting from an exodus of people unable to cope up with the deteriorating conditions.[6]

  • Munroe island on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake
  • Boating through backwaters of Munroe Island
  • A boat moves through Ashtamudi Lake. Munroe island can be seen in the background.
  • Entrance of Munroturuttu railway station
  • A template showing the name of the island at Munroturuttu railway station.

See also

References
  1. "Floating houses at Munroe Thuruthu?". Times Of India. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  2. "The emerald isle". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  3. "These Boat Races Of Kerala Are Sure To Mesmerize You During Your Trip". Republic. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  4. TKM team starts study on Munroe Islands - The Hindu dated 06/01/2016
  5. "Munroe Islanders of Kerala Battle the Rising Seas". The Quint. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  6. "The Sinking Island of Kerala". The Hindu.
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