Polachira

Polachira is a wetland spread over 600 hectares[1] located near Paravur Municipality in Kollam District of Kerala, India. Formerly part of the Chathannoor Grama Panchayath, it is now located in the Chirakkara Grama Panchayath.[2] Polachira is about 5 km south of Chathannoor town and 6 km north east of Paravur town. Chathannoor-Polachira-Ozhukupara Bund Across Road is the main access to Paravoor

Indian Spot Billed Duck from Polachira by Dr Jishnu R

Polachira

(Kadichira)
Village
Village scene
Coordinates: 8°50′26.89″N 76°42′0.3″E
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictKollam
Government
 • BodyChirakkara Grama Panchayat
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
691572
Telephone code0474
Vehicle registrationKL-02
Nearest cityParavur
Lok Sabha constituencyKollam
Civic agencyChirakkara Grama Panchayat
Migratory Birds
Ambalkkulam

Migratory Birds


As a result of the biodiversity and abundance of fish and mussels, Polachira is a favorite destination for migratory birds.[3] Polachira recorded over 151 species which includes perigin falcon (the fastest bird on earth),spot billed pelicon , white stork, painted storks and plenty of duck species. Monthly birdwalks are conducted by group of people from kollam birding battalion.[4]

Agriculture


Polachira consists entirely of paddy fields where farmers can cultivate paddy three times a year (Moonupoovu Nilam). As the soil has high fertility value there is no need of fertilizer to cultivate paddy which will give high yields to the farmers. However, the main problem faced by farmers is that the fields are covered with water for the whole year. If needed, farmers' association takes initiatives to dry the fields by using water pumps, but it is very expensive and local self-government authorities help is needed for it to take place.

If the fields in Polachira get dry and are suitable for paddy cultivation during May, November,January. Unscientific construction of bund affected three times paddy cultivations.


Consequently, there are complaints from farmers that the authorities of the local self-government intend to catch and sell fish from Polachira by drying its fields and have no intention to help the farmers in their paddy cultivation.

Tourism

There is a high scope to develop Polachira as a tourist spot. But the relevant authorities have not yet taken action for it. Presence of wildlife especially migratory birds, pleasant weather, picturesque landscape makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers. An organization formed in the name of "Ithikkara-Polachira Tourism Development Agency (IPOT)" with an aim to explore Polachira's tourism possibilities, owing to certain reasons, is not working now.

Important institutions


Important institutions near Polachira:

1. Paravur Railway Station
2. Puttingal Temple, Paravur
3. Sivaraja Pillai Memorial ITC, Paravur
4. Chirakkara Devi Temple
5. Kottekkunnu Subrahmanian Temple
6. Vilappuram Devi Temple
7. Chathannoor S.N. College
8. Anandavilasam Library, Vilappuram
9. Govt. H.S.S., Nedungolam
10. Govt. H.S., Uliyanad
11. Govt. H.S., Chirakkara
12. Puthankulam 'Anathavalam' (Elephants' Shelter).
13. Ozhukupara Pongalvila Devi Temple 14. Ozhukupara Govt W L P School

See also

References
  1. Parvuronline(archived from Parvuronline website)
  2. ചിറക്കര ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് - കൊല്ലം(written in Malayalam, archived from http://chirakkara.entegramam.gov.in/)
  3. India Social Website
  4. https://ebird.org/india/hotspot/L2613844?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec
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