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
ferrea, Bischofia javanica, Vitex 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.
