The snake boat race in Kerala is being run like the IPL matches of cricket. Being a homegrown traditional sport of kerala, the support base in Kerala as well as the Pravasi Keralites is very good. the sport now has 9 leagues, and a massive fan following
on TV as well.
The Championship of last year (2019)was won by a 01 second margin, according to Bala Kiran, CEO Trivandrum Smart city. Over the last 3 years, winning teams took home prize money of approximately Rs 1.60 crores.
Unlike many other popular sports, the snake boat race can happen only if the rivers of Kerala continue to flow.
River Ecosystems in Kerala for water sports
River ecosystems in Kerala-A glimpse
Pamba River
The Pamba originates in the Peerumedu plateau in the Western Ghats and is 176 km long. It empties into the Vembanad Lake, which is the largest lake in Kerala.
Snake Boat Race at Pamba River
The snake boat race during the Onam festival in Aranmula is worth seeing. The video shows the heats before the festival. In the final event more than 30 boats participate.
Coracle riding or Bowl boat riding in river Kallar
The Adavi eco-tourism project was launched by the departments of Forest and Tourism as part of the third phase of the Konni eco-tourism project.
Manimala
The rich, natural growth of native plants and trees on the banks of Manimala river. Manimala is a 92 km long river in South and Central Kerala. It originates in Idukki district, also in the Western Ghats. This river also empties into the Vembanad lake.
In fact ten major rivers of Kerala empty into the Vembanad lake. A mud regulator divides the lake into two parts - one with perennial brackish water and the other with fresh water from rivers draining into the lake.
The river ecosystems of Kerala are worth protecting for future generations.