Kodenchery: The natives get worried when Chalippuzha and Iruvanjippuzha flow in full rage during monsoon, but the hope that kayakers will reach soon to paddle through the furious river used to excite them. Rather than a sport, Kayaking is a popular festival of the region for the natives. Many people depend on this season to make earning for their family. 

But for the last two years, kayakers did not reach these hilly villages due to the pandemic. Anakkampoyil native Madhu who brought in ramps and temporary sheds for kayakers depended solely on this event to survive. 

There are many who renovated their houses and shops by expecting a considerable income from trade during the kayaking. Such people are going through a severe financial crisis now. The news of cancelling Kayaking this year too has disheartened them.

Kayaking brings lakhs of income into these villages as many participants including foreigners reach the spot even a month before the event. Apart from the hotels, local people too made income by accommodating these outsiders and providing them Kerala style special food. 

Kayaking has been organised as a part of the Malabar River Festival and this event gave recognition to Kodenchery on the map of world tourism. The competitions took place at Meenthulli Para, Arippara, Anakkampoyil and Pulikkayam.

People from over 22 countries came here to Kayak. From the last year, the natives have been expecting that the competition will resume soon. 

Kayaking Academy; A new ray of hope

Minister for PWD Kerala Muhammad Riyas had laid the foundation of Kayaking Academy at Pulikkayam in Kodenchery. The Minister then said that the new academy will bring great changes in the field of Tourism in the region. 

Also by connecting the major tourists of the district, a hill highway (‘malayora highway’) is under construction. The natives in these localities are looking forward to the completion of these projects. MLA Linto Joseph assured that the works of the Academy will be completed within a year. More tourism projects are going to be introduced in the hilly regions of the districts, informed Linto.