Friday, December 1, 2017

Mukkadal Dam, Thuvarancaud, Kanyakumari

Mukkadal Dam, Thuvarancaud, Kanyakumari
Mukkadal Dam is a reservoir located near Thuvarancaud Village in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. Mukkadal dam is built across the Vambaru River. It is a scenic place, favored as a picnic location among local residents. It was built by Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma in 1945, the King of Travancore. The dam is constructed of clay and granite stones. The depth of water behind the dam is approximately 100 ft (30 m). The dam is surrounded by forested hills on three sides, and a charming road that leads you to the forest.




It is described as a ‘natural earthen dam’, unique because it is constructed only with clay and granite. Mukkadal Dam is a scenic place, favored as a picnic destination amongst residents. The clean and clear waters invite you for boating as well. Once you reach the dam you can enter through the old side gate. A combination of grass, shrubs and lofty trees line the path which will make your stroll interesting. The verdant hills in the backdrop appear to be within reach, the forests will get visibly denser and you may have birds of different varieties for company. 




The sheer beauty of the water body will leave you mesmerized. The water reflecting the soft rays of the sun and schools of fish visible in the clear water are sure to catch your attention. The Mukkadal reservoir supplies water to Nagercoil Municipality and it is proposed that it will provide water to Suchindrum and Kanyakumari also. The mountain ranges are near the end of Western Ghats, so the beauty of the Ghats can still be seen here. The panoramic valleys and silver streaked waterfalls sparkling against the green carpeted hills looked like a painted landscape here.




The mountain consists of soaring and lofty trees of Mesua ferreaBischofia javanicaVitex Altissima to smaller trees of Dillini a species of festooning climber, shrubs, valuable herbs, variety of orchids, two types of canes and many indigenous palms and cycads. The important timbers are teak, rosewood, vengai. Various types of forest products like bamboos, reeds, canes, soft wood tamarind, lemon grass, rubber, coconut, areca nut, Kadukkai, cinnamon bark, nelli, cardamom, mango, lemon varieties, jack fruit, and many medicinal plants of high value which are harvested here.




From tourism angle, the forest is highly enhancing with pleasant sholas, hill top forests, beautiful grasslands, panoramic valleys, top hillocks, singing streams, vast stretches of rubber plantations, valuable teak plantations and excellent climate. The foot hill is followed by green paddy fields and coconut groves, Banana groves with few rubber plantations. The people in the nearby villages mainly depend on this beginning point of the Western Ghats for their livelihood.




Mukkadal Dam is located at about 4 Kms from Thuvarancaud, 8 Kms from Azhagiapandipuram, 4 Kms from Thittu Vilai, 5 Kms from Boothapandi, 16 Kms from Aralvaimozhi, 18 Kms from Thovalai, 8 Kms from Thazhakudy, 17 Kms from Nagercoil, 22 Kms from Suchindram, 40 Kms from Kanyakumari and 84 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nagercoil has regular bus services board the one going towards Thuvarancaud. Disembark at Thuvarancaud or Thittuvilai and then you must take an auto rickshaw ride to the dam. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nagercoil and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.