Athirappilly

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Athirappilly | other_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = Village | image_skyline = Athirappilly Waterfalls 1.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Athirappilly Falls | pushpin_map = India Kerala#India | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in KKLR, India | coordinates = {{coord|10|17|19|N|76|32|54|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Kerala | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Thrissur | established_title =  | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = Athirapally Grama Panchayat | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = 489.00 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 80 | population_total = 9216 | population_as_of = | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Malayalam, English | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 680721 ( Vettilappara P.O. ) | area_code_type = Telephone code | area_code = 0480 | registration_plate = KL-64 | website = | footnotes = }}

'''Athirappilly''' is a Grama Panchayat with 489.00 km2 area in Chalakudy Taluk, Thrissur district in Kerala, India. It is located 52 km from Thrissur city, 60 km northeast of Kochi city, 32 km northeast of Cochin International Airport, and 24 km from Chalakudy town.<ref name="Thrissur">{{cite web|url=http://thrissur.nic.in/athirapilly.asp|title=ATHIRAPILLY WATER FALLS |work=Official website of Thrissur District|publisher=National Informatics Centre, Ministry C & IT, Department of IT, Government of India|access-date=2009-03-25| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090410024552/http://thrissur.nic.in/athirapilly.asp| archive-date= 10 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Wildlife== The Athirappilly Falls is situated 1000 ft above sea level on the Chalakudy river, at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges of the Western Ghats, Athirappalli is a scenic combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. Many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the Athirapilly-Vazhachal area. This area is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered hornbill species are seen. The Western Ghats is one of the most important biodiversity hot spot in the world. This valuable natural world is already degraded by mining and hydro electric projects. Environmentalists claim that Athirapally is a one-of its-kind riparian ecosystem in Kerala. V.S. Vijayan, Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board and former Director of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore, has been quoted in Down to Earth magazine as affirming that the Vazhachal forest division is the second most biodiverse area in the State. The International Bird Association has declared it an "Important Bird Area" and the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation has recommended that the area should be declared a sanctuary or a national park, he points out.

The Wildlife Trust of India says it represents one of India's best elephant conservation efforts. "Any disruption to this fragile ecosystem will spell disaster," says Vijayan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/article984144.ece |title=(17/02/2010) Biodiversity in danger? |access-date=23 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008234827/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/article984144.ece |archive-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Tourism== Athirappilly is popular among tourists. Athirappilly Falls is one of the places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to visit is the Vazhachal Falls. Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river and it is approximately 80 feet in height. Athirappilly is easily reachable from Chalakudy by taking a vehicle for rent or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal. Kauthuka Park is a small eco-tourism park located near Athirappilly, featuring nature-based installations and educational exhibits. <ref>{{cite news |author=Santosh John Thuwal |title=വർക്കി ഒറ്റയ്ക്ക് ചെയ്ത 'വർക്കി' നാട്ടുകാർക്ക് കൗതുക പാർക്ക് |newspaper=Malayala Manorama |date=5 May 2007 |language=ml }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=N. V. Davies |title=Varkey’s Kauthuka Park |newspaper=The New Indian Express |location=Kochi |date=11 October 2007 }}</ref>

===Maniratnam film location=== Noted Tamil film director, Maniratnam, has a huge fascination for this spot that a lot of his movies are shot here. ''Raavanan'' was almost fully shot in this location. The movies ''Dil Se..'', ''Kannathil Muthamittal'', ''Iruvar'', ''Guru'' have songs shot here.

"Arjuna Arjuna" song featuring Sarathkumar and Namitha was shot in this location. The rain song ("Adada Mazhaida") Tamil movie featuring Karthi and Tamannaah, was shot at the Athirappilly waterfalls in Kerala. Punnagaimannan and captain prabakaran also shot here. Karthi and Anushka Shetty movie Alex Pandian’s Anushka Shetty kidnap scene was shot in Athirappilly.

==Hydroelectric project== The history of Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project dates back to 1982 when the Kerala State Electricity Board proposing a twin project such as AHEP at 120MW installed capacity and Poringal Right Bank hydro electric project. It was to include a dam 23 metres (75 ft) high and 311 metres (1,020 ft) wide on the Chalakudy River in the Vazhachal Forest Division about 5 kilometres (3 mi) upstream of Athirappilly Falls and 400 metres (1,312 ft) upstream of Vazhachal Rapids (Vazhachal Falls).<ref>[http://www.industelegraph.com/story/2006/3/24/0052/07312 "Environmental clearances quashed."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526115825/http://www.industelegraph.com/story/2006/3/24/0052/07312 |date=26 May 2006 }} ''The Indus Telegraph'', 30 March 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2007.</ref> However, environmental groups and people's collectives opposed the project on grounds that it would damage the environment, infringe on human rights, and threaten tourism.<ref name=protest /><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061609940400.htm "Protests mark hearing on Athirappilly project."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107015939/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061609940400.htm |date=7 November 2012 }} ''The Hindu'', 16 June 2006. Retrieved on 3 August 2007.</ref> Though it was not their main concern, critics also noted that if the entire course of the river were diverted to make electricity, the Athirappilly-Vazhachal waterfalls could dry up. To avoid damaging the falls, the KSEB proposed adjusting the water releases to maintain the falls.<ref name="protest">[http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061609940400.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107015939/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061609940400.htm |date=7 November 2012 }} ''The Hindu'', 16 June 2006</ref> The debate continued in 2007. Environmentalists also expressed concern over whether the proposed hydroelectric project at Athirappilly waterfalls would lead to displacement and eventual extinction of the primitive tribal group, `Kadars,' in the area.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/20/stories/2006022013900400.htm "Kadar tribe faces threat of displacement"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108194228/http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/20/stories/2006022013900400.htm |date=8 November 2012 }} ''The Hindu'', 20 February 2006.</ref> In 2005, the Kerala Ministry of Environment and Forests approved the project on the basis of a report by Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Ltd. (WAPCOS), an environmental impact assessment (EIA) agency. In 2006, the Kerala High Court quashed the clearance and ordered another public hearing.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/15/stories/2006061515100400.htm "Public hearing on Athirappilly project today."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024150133/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/15/stories/2006061515100400.htm |date=24 October 2012 }} ''The Hindu'', 15 June 2006. Retrieved on 3 August 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/14/stories/2007041418820100.htm "Athirappilly: panel interacts with people."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024150144/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/14/stories/2007041418820100.htm |date=24 October 2012 }} ''The Hindu'', 14 April 2007. Retrieved on 3 August 2007.</ref> The debate continued the following years.

On 29 January 2011, the chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) Madhav Gadgil opined that the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Athirappilly hydel power project was not properly carried out and 70% of it is bogus. The panel, appointed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, was asked to look into and give recommendations on various projects in the Western Ghats such as the hydroelectric projects in Gundiya in Karnataka and Athirappilly in Kerala and the overall development projects in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra. Gadgil said that the proposed Athirappilly hydro-electric project cannot be approved until the Forest Rights Act is implemented in its true spirit for the Kadar tribal community of the area and also no comprehensive study had been carried out so far on the natural riparian forest vegetation along the Western Ghats.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/30/stories/2011013061990700.htm "Kadar's community rights not recognised: Gadgil "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108194234/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/30/stories/2011013061990700.htm |date=8 November 2012 }} ''The Hindu'', 30 January 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/31/stories/2011013157530100.htm "70% of EIA report bogus, says Gadgil."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411002111/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/31/stories/2011013157530100.htm |date=11 April 2011 }} ''The Hindu'', 31 January 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/01/stories/2011020160050100.htm "Fears on Athirappilly EIA proved true, says Viswom."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106104355/http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/01/stories/2011020160050100.htm |date=6 November 2011 }} ''The Hindu'', 1 February 2011.</ref> On 14 June 2011, Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said his ministry would not grant approval to the Athirappilly hydro electric project.<ref>[http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/no-nod-for-athirappilly-project-edakochi-stadium-ramesh/438923/ "No nod to power project and stadium in Kerala: Ramesh"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013010316/http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/no-nod-for-athirappilly-project-edakochi-stadium-ramesh/438923/ |date=13 October 2012 }} ''Business Standard'', 14 June 2011.</ref> The Minister also stated "When states are denied such projects on larger and long-term environmental considerations, they are entitled to some sort of green bonus,"<ref>[http://ibnlive.in.com/news/athirappilly-project-ramesh-moots-green-bonus/160207-60-116.html "Athirappilly project: Ramesh moots green bonus"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015205926/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/athirappilly-project-ramesh-moots-green-bonus/160207-60-116.html |date=15 October 2012 }} ''IBNLive'', 14 June 2011.</ref> The first part of WGEEP report was submitted to the Ministry on 31 August. The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), on 6 September 2011 recommended to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests against granting permission to carry out any construction activities at the sensitive Athirappilly-Vazhachal region. The panel, which submitted its report to Union Environment Minister Jayanti Natarajan in the Capital, named Athirappilly as one of the 18 eco-sensitive localities in the state.<ref>[http://ibnlive.in.com/news/athirappilly-project-to-remain-a-pipe-dream/182085-60-116.html "Athirappilly Project to remain a pipe dream"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017195353/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/athirappilly-project-to-remain-a-pipe-dream/182085-60-116.html |date=17 October 2012 }} ''IBNLive'',8 September 2011.</ref>

A former member of KSEB with generation project, K Radhakrishnan, opined that WGEEP report was biased and the project was eco-friendly doing minimum damage to environment and forests, and with the lack of computational model when rainfall is decreasing by the effect of El Niño.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kerala-gets-first-heat-wave-warning-on-blazing-el-nino-trail/article8528743.ece|title=Kerala gets first heat wave warning on blazing El Nino trail|last=Kurian|first=Vinson|website=The Hindu|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126173640/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kerala-gets-first-heat-wave-warning-on-blazing-el-nino-trail/article8528743.ece|archive-date=26 January 2020|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2765993.ece "Panel report on Athirapally project biased -K Radhakrishnan"], ''The Hindu'', 1 January 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/former-kseb-official-lashes-out-at-report/article3940929.ece Former KSEB official lashes out at report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222035134/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/former-kseb-official-lashes-out-at-report/article3940929.ece |date=22 February 2014 }} - ''The Hindu'', 27 September 2012</ref> [http://electricitypensioner.wix.com/epwa#!about_us/cjg9 Electricity Pensioners Welfare Association] a forum of senior power personnel of Kerala headed by K Radhakrishnan viewed the Gadgil panel report as unproductive and overly concerned about environmental issues.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/gadgil-panel-report-biased-pensioners-forum/article5284494.ece "Gadgil panel report biased -Electricity Pensioners Welfare Association"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206141332/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/gadgil-panel-report-biased-pensioners-forum/article5284494.ece |date=6 February 2014 }} -''The Hindu''. 29 October 2013</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-03/climate-models-are-running-red-hot-and-scientists-don-t-know-why|title=Climate Models Are Running Red Hot, and Scientists Don't Know Why|last=Roston|first=Eric|website=www.bloomberg.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207001725/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-03/climate-models-are-running-red-hot-and-scientists-don-t-know-why|archive-date=7 February 2020|access-date=2020-02-08}}</ref> Of late The Central Water commission has given approval to the project if the project doesn't affect the ecological balance, could maintain a flow for the waterfalls without defacing it or doesn't bring out any socio-cultural disputes. In 2016, Kerala Chief minister and Minister for power, Pinarayi Vijayan has indicated that they will consider implementation of the project disregard of the public opinion that rises from emotional sentiment.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/Kadar-tribespeople-seek-legal-recourse/article14377657.ece | title=Kadar tribespeople seek legal recourse | date=1 June 2016 | first=K.S. | last=Sudhi | access-date=12 July 2019 }}</ref> Environmental activists opposing the project and even by Left sympathizers, criticized the government's proceedings, for making public announcements in the cabinet without any consensus on the issue and it shouldn't be based on winning any previous grudge or proving judgmental validity.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kaumudi.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=78692 |title=Pinarayi favours Athirappilly Project |access-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530134315/http://www.kaumudi.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=78692 |archive-date=30 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> When first the project came forward Communist party of Kerala was against this project and surveys conducted among people by television channels also polled negative response.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Kerala-CMs-stand-on-Athirappilly-Mullaperiyar-suspicious-Kumanam/2016/06/01/article3460379.ece |title='Kerala CM's stand on Athirappilly, Mullaperiyar suspicious': Kumanam - the New Indian Express |access-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602112940/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Kerala-CMs-stand-on-Athirappilly-Mullaperiyar-suspicious-Kumanam/2016/06/01/article3460379.ece |archive-date=2 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The hydel project is also reported to be anti-people and only would harm the state's interest when it takes away water from an existing irrigation system, which covers 20,000 acres of farmland downstream and about 5 lakh people reportedly depend upon the river for drinking and irrigation purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/athirapally-power-project-pinarayi-vijayan-kerala-hydel-power-project-2828032/ |title=Simply put: The choppy ride of the Athirapally power project | the Indian Express |access-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602091940/http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/athirapally-power-project-pinarayi-vijayan-kerala-hydel-power-project-2828032/ |archive-date=2 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> But experienced and retired inclined members of KSEB like K. Radhakrishnan, who have been campaigning for the implementation of the Athirappilly hydroelectric project for long has welcomed the decision. Power Survey Report estimate the state's power requirement to reach at 6500 MW by 2022.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle">{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/310516/kerala-growing-powder-divide.html |title=Kerala: Growing powder divide |access-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608184345/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/310516/kerala-growing-powder-divide.html |archive-date=8 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/expert-hails-govt-stand/article8670365.ece Energy expert hails the Government stand] ''The Hindu'', 30/05/2016</ref> Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest T M Manoharan, who was the Chairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board opposed the project citing the harm it could cause to the environment and ecology of the area.<ref name="kaumudiglobal.com">{{Cite web |url=http://kaumudiglobal.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=78708 |title=Jairam criticises Ker govt's move to push Athirappilly project |access-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531121109/http://www.kaumudiglobal.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=78708 |archive-date=31 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other studies for the feasibility of the project was also negative like the report in 2007 by B S Vijayan, Kerala State Biodiversity Board also pointed out that the power project would adversely affect the ecology of the area.<ref name="kaumudiglobal.com"/> Jairam Ramesh, Former Environment Minister said this decision to be a "perfect recipe for ecological disaster."

According to a KSEB member and former executive engineer Augustine Xavier opined that ideally the state's annual per capita consumption should be 5000 units (kWh). For this to be achieved, the state power consumption should increase to 1,65,000 million units yearly. At the moment, the state's yearly consumption is just over 23,000 million units. In this scenario a mere 200 million units will be like a drop in the ocean. M. Sivasankar, KSEB chairman and MD said the crisis could be amended through the commissioning of a 2000 MW super thermal power station, which uses an environment-friendly super critical boiler. 1200-MW Cheemeni Power Project is such a stalled project pending implementation studies and lobbying central government with development requirements. Reports and public polls is in consensus with seeking alternative sources for achieving a semblance of self-sufficiency in terms of electricity requirements than investing time and money on nonstrategic myopic hydel projects.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle"/>

==See also== *Thrissur *Cochin *Chalakudy *Athirappilly Falls

==References== {{reflist|group=}} *[http://enteyathrakal.com/athirapally-to-valparai Athirapally To Valparai]

==External links== {{Commons category|Athirappilly}}

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081015183333/http://www.chalakudyriver.org/ Chalakudy River Protection Forum (CPF)] *[http://www.athirappillydmc.com/ Athirappilly - Vazhachal - Thumboormuzhi - Destination Management Council] *[http://www.trichur.com/html/places2.htm Thrissur Website www.trichur.com ] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070313092133/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/06/stories/2006080603750500.htm Athirappilly Projects ] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100423161541/http://www.blonnet.com/2002/05/03/stories/2002050302601700.htm Vanishing falls] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060629005051/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061609940400.htm Protests mark hearing on Athirappilly project] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090108214940/http://www.athirapilly.in/index.php Dedicated Site to Athirapilly and Vazhachal: www.athirapilly.in website] *[http://www.theindia.info/travel/chalakudy.htm Athirappally Valparai Travel Route] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210123749/http://www.theindia.info/travel/chalakudy.htm |date=10 February 2014 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090324133136/http://blah.burrp.com/travel/destinations/wanderingsoul/2009/03/there-is-a-heaven-on-earth-athirapally-falls/ Travel Destination] *[http://www.thrissurkerala.com/tourist/athirappilly.html Tourist Places, Thrissur] *[http://www.kauthukapark.com/awards/ Kauthukapark] *[http://enteyathrakal.com/athirapally-to-valparai Athirapally To Valparai] *[http://www.touristplacesinindia.org/athirappally-waterfalls/ athirappally waterfalls]

Category:Tourism in Kerala Category:Environmental controversies