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Periyar River in Kerala
The Kerala High Court mandates the need for a unified authority to monitor the cleanliness of the Periyar River. The court direction comprises the current trigger for revising key geographical and economic facts about the Periyar River in Kerala.
Periyar River (Kerala):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| State location | The Periyar River comprises the longest river in Kerala. |
| Total length | The Periyar River comprises a total length of 244 kilometers. |
| Importance | The Periyar River comprises an important source of irrigation and power generation, and comprises the designation “lifeline of Kerala”. |
| Perennial nature and drinking water | The Periyar River comprises one of the few perennial rivers of the region and comprises a crucial source of drinking water. |
| Origin | The river course comprises an origin in the Sivagiri Hills of the Western Ghats range near the border with Tamil Nadu. |
| Course (key water bodies and outfall) | The river course comprises a northward passage through Periyar National Park into Periyar Lake, a further passage into Vembanad Lake, and an outfall into the Arabian Sea about 24 km north of Kochi. |
| Periyar Lake | Periyar Lake comprises an artificial reservoir, with a dam constructed across the river in 1895. |
| Major tributaries | Major tributaries comprise Muthirapuzha River, Mullayar River, Cheruthoni River, Perinjankutti River, and the Edamala River. |
| Industrial concentration | About 25% of Kerala’s industries comprise locations along the banks of the Periyar River. |
| Hydroelectric projects | The Idukki Hydroelectric Project comprises the largest hydroelectric project on the Periyar River. |
| Dams across the river | Dams constructed across the river comprise Neriyamangalam, Pallivasal, Panniyar, Kundalam, Chenkulam, and Mullaperiyar. |
| Cultural location | Kalady, situated on the bank of the Periyar, comprises the birthplace of Sankaracharya. |