Polachira Explained

Polachira
Other Name:(Kadichira)
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates:8.8408°N 76.7001°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Kerala
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Kollam
Governing Body:Chirakkara Grama Panchayat
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Malayalam, English
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:691572
Area Code Type:Telephone code
Area Code:0474
Registration Plate:KL-02
Blank1 Name Sec1:Nearest city
Blank1 Info Sec1:Paravur
Blank2 Name Sec1:Lok Sabha constituency
Blank2 Info Sec1:Kollam
Blank3 Name Sec1:Civic agency
Blank3 Info Sec1:Chirakkara Grama Panchayat

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 2 km south of Chathannoor town and 9 km north east of Paravur town. Chathannoor-Polachira-Ozhukupara Bund Across Road is the main access to Paravoor.

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 with an aim to explore Polachira's tourism possibilities, owing to certain reasons, is not working now.

Important institutions

Important institutions near Polachira:
Chathannoor Ghss Chirakkara Devi Temple
Kottekkunnu Subrahmanian Temple
Vilappuram Devi Temple
Chathannoor S.N. College
Nss chathannoor
Govt. H.S.S., Nedungolam
Govt. H.S., Uliyanad
Govt. H.S., Chirakkara
Meenadu LP school
Ozhukupara Govt W L P School
Government Medical College Kollam
Lord krishna residential schoolB R Hospital and Research centre. Nedungolam

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20120227012037/http://paravuronline.com/places%20to%20visit.html Parvuronline
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20120304094750/http://chirakkara.entegramam.gov.in/ ചിറക്കര ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് - കൊല്ലം
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20050215004148/http://www.indiasocial.org/cgi/news.asp?id=2885&sel=4 India Social Website
  4. Web site: Polachira, Kollam County, KL, IN - eBird Hotspot.