vembanad lake is the largest lake in kerla state in india. it is probably one of the largest lakes of india and asia. wikipedia says it covers an area of 200 sq kms and several rivers flow into the lake onto arabian sea.

this lake has one of the most beautiful relaxing scenario's you could ever imagine.

and this vital lake also offers immense bird watching potential. mr.sreekumar, president of kottayam nature club says that there is a healthy increase in bird population in the area, which had increased to over 28,000 from 11,000-odd sighted last year.

the tourist potential of the bird watching can be best summarised in the words of BHNS director mr.rehmani:
At the national level, it was estimated that only six per cent of the potential was realised in the Bird Tourism sector. Compare this with the 40-billion dollar bird tourism industry in the U.S.," he said.

but this lake is also under huge abuse right from cochin and through out its length. several hectic constructions are going on, lake water is getting dangerously polluted and dredging and reclaiming of the lake is happening at break neck pace.

if properly safeguarded, this lake can be a huge boom in terms of real eco tourism involving villagers, panchayats, small hotel operators, etc wherein tourist money can beneift all sections of the society.

as india chases it high tech dreams, sustainable eco tourism that benefits lower rungs of the society can be a huge value addition for sustainable development.

(welcome to vembanad @ cochin)
(dredging in vembanad. indiscriminate dredging can be seen throughout the lake)
(this is how the banks of the lake should like. with greenery and pleasant views)
(but this is how the banks of the lake looks like. massive construction very very close to the banks will definitely doom the lake as well as the building)