Editing Chaliyar

{{short description|River in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox river
| name               = Chaliyar
| native_name        = 
| native_name_lang   = 
| name_other         = ചാലിയാർ
| name_etymology     = 
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image              = Chaliyar River at Nilambur.jpg
| image_size         = 
| image_caption      = A view of Chaliyar at [[Nilambur]], [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]], [[India]]
| map                = Chaliyar map.PNG
| map_size           = 
| map_caption        = Labelled map of Chaliyar
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_map_size   = 
| pushpin_map_caption= 
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1  = Country
| subdivision_name1  = [[India]]
| subdivision_type2  = State
| subdivision_name2  = [[Kerala]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = District
| subdivision_name4  = [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]]
| subdivision_type5  = City
| subdivision_name5  = [[Pothukal]], [[Chungathara]], [[Nilambur]], [[Mampad]], [[Edavanna]], [[Kavanoor]], [[Perakamanna, Areekode|Perakamanna]], [[Areekode]],<br /> [[Kizhuparamba]], [[Elamaram]], [[cheekode]], [[Vazhakkad]], [[Vazhayur]], [[Cheruvadi]],<br /> [[Mavoor]], [[Peruvayal]], [[Perumanna]], Aakode, [[Feroke]],<br /> [[Chaliyam]].
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length             = {{convert|169|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="shodhganga"/> 
| width_min          = 
| width_avg          = 
| width_max          = 
| depth_min          = 
| depth_avg          = 
| depth_max          = 
| discharge1_location= [[mouth]]
| discharge1_min     = 
| discharge1_avg     = 
| discharge1_max     = 
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1            = [[Elambaleri Hills]]
| source1_location   = [[Western Ghats]], [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], [[India]]
| source1_coordinates= 
| source1_elevation  = 
| mouth              = [[Lakshadweep Sea]]<ref name="shodhganga"/>
| mouth_location     = [[Chaliyam]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| mouth_coordinates  = {{coord|11.16|75.80|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation    = {{convert|0|m|abbr=on}}
| progression        = 
| river_system       = 
| basin_size         = {{convert|2933|km2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left   = [[Iruvazhinjipuzha]], [[Cherupuzha (Mavoor)|Cherupuzha]], [[Engappuzha]]
| tributaries_right  = [[Cherupuzha (Mavoor)|Cherupuzha]] [[Nilambur]]
| custom_label       = 
| custom_data        = 
| extra              = 
}}

'''Chaliyar River''' ({{IPA|ml|tʃaːlijaːr|lang}}) is the fourth longest river in [[Kerala]] at 169&nbsp;km in length. The Chaliyar is also known as '''Chulika River''', '''Nilambur River''' or '''Beypore River''' as it is near the sea. [[Pothukal]], [[Chungathara]], [[Nilambur]], [[Mampad]], [[Edavanna]], [[Kavanoor]], [[Perakamanna, Areekode|Perakamanna]], [[Areekode]], [[Kizhuparamba]], [[Elamaram]], [[Cheekkode]], [[Vazhakkad]], [[Vazhayur]], [[Cheruvadi]], [[Edavannappara]], [[Mavoor]], [[Peruvayal]], [[Perumanna, Kozhikode|Perumanna]], [[Feroke]] and [[Beypore]] are some of the towns/villages situated along the banks of the Chaliyar. It mainly flows through [[Malappuram district]]. Its tributaries flow through both the districts of [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] and [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]].  The bank of river Chaliyar in the Nilambur region is also known for its natural [[Gold]] fields.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dmg.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=61|title=Mineral Deposits in Kerala}}</ref> Explorations done at the valley of the river Chaliyar in Nilambur have shown reserves of the order of 2.5&nbsp;million cubic meters of placers with 0.1 gram per cubic meter of gold.<ref name="geographymalappuram">{{cite web |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3205_PART_A_MALAPPURAM.pdf |website= censusindia.gov.in |title=Physical divisions of Malappuram |pages = 21–22}}</ref> It originates at the Ilambaleri hills of [[Nilgiri Mountains]] in [[Nilgiris district]] ([[Ooty]] district), which is also near [[Wayanad]]-[[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] district border. It flows mainly through the erstwhile region of [[Eranad]] (present-day [[Malappuram district]]), and finally empties into the [[Arabian Sea]] at [[Beypore]] port, opposite to [[Chaliyam]] harbour.

==Name==
[[File:Chaliyar - Areekode Bridge.jpg|thumbnail|Chaliyar at [[Areekode]]]]
The river has three names - Chaliyar, Nilambur River, and [[Beypore river|Beypore puzha]], of which the first one is more popular. The river meets the [[Lakshadweep Sea]]<ref name="shodhganga">{{cite web |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/5850/14/14_chapter%206.pdf |title=Evolution of Chaliyar River Drainage Basin Insights from Tectonic Geomorphology |publisher=Cochin University of Science and Technology |pages=220|access-date=2014-03-25 }}</ref> at an 'azhi' ([[estuary]]), the southern part of which is known as [[Chaliyam]] and northern part as [[Beypore]]. Unlike many other rivers in Kerala, Chaliyar does not dry up during the dry season in December and March.

Chaliyar is also the name of a place and a [[Grama panchayat]] in [[Nilambur]] [[Tehsil|Taluk]], which is located near the [[Nilambur]] Municipality, where Conolly's plot, the oldest manmade teak plantation in the world is located.<ref>{{cite web |title = Villages in Malappuram |url = https://dop.lsgkerala.gov.in/en/node/1030 |website = lsgkerala.gov.in}}</ref>

==Course==
[[File:Chaliyar Edavanna (251932360).jpg|thumbnail|Chaliyar River at [[Edavanna]]]]
The Chaliyar originates in the [[Western Ghats]] range at Ilambaleri hills in the ranges of [[Nilgiri Mountains]] of [[Western Ghats]],<ref name="shodhganga2">{{cite web |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/5850/8/08_chapter%201.pdf |title=Evolution of Chaliyar River Drainage Basin Insights from Tectonic Geomorphology |publisher=Cochin University of Science and Technology |pages=8–11|access-date=2014-03-25 }}</ref> which is also near [[Wayanad]]-[[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] district border. Chaliyar flows through [[Malappuram District]] for most of its length and then for around 17&nbsp;km it forms the boundary between [[Malappuram District]] and [[Kozhikode District]] before entering the city of [[Kozhikode]] for its final 10&nbsp;km journey and finally empties into the [[Lakshadweep Sea]] at [[Beypore]]. Six major streams Chaliyarpuzha, Punnapuzha, Kanjirapuzha, 
Karimpuzha, Iruvahnipuzha and [[Cherupuzha (Areekode)|Thottumukkampuzha]] constitute the Chaliyar River drainage system. Other important tributaries are Kurumanpuzha, Pandipuzha, Maradipuzha, Kuthirapuzha and Karakkodupuzha. Most of these rivers have their origin in the [[Nilgiri mountains|Nilgiri hills]] in the east and Wayanad hills in the north, where they form a number of rapids and [[waterfalls]].<ref name="shodhganga2" /> Near the origin of river are the [[Meenmutty waterfalls|Meenmutty Falls]] at coordinates {{coord|11.527755|76.236534|type:landmark}} by [[Vaduvanchal]], [[Wayanad]] & [[Soochipara_Falls]] which situated in Chullikka River a part of Chaliyar River.

==Economy==
During late 19th century and early 20th century, the Chaliyar was extensively used as a waterway for carrying [[timber]] from the forest areas in and around [[Nilambur]] to the various mills in [[Kallayi|Kallai]] of [[Kozhikode|Calicut]] city. [[Rafts]] made of logs were taken downstream during the [[monsoon]] season to Kallayi, where these were sawn to size in the [[timber]] mills dotting the banks of the river. Kallai was during this period one of the most important centers in the world for timber business. The place was famous for wood of superlative strength and durability like [[teak]], [[rosewood]], etc. Towards the second half of the 20th century, the activity came down drastically as tree felling was banned or strictly controlled with a view to stop deforestation. Many mills still operate in Kallai, though with far less output. Many have closed down.

==Ecology==
[[File:Mamminikkadavu Temple.jpg|thumb|Chaliyar river at Cheruvannur, Feroke]]
[[File:Edavannappara.1.jpg|thumbnail|Boat service in Chaliyar at Elamaram]]
[[File:Hanging Bridge Across Chaliyar 1.jpg|thumb|Hanging bridge across Chaliyar River in [[Nilambur]], which connects to [[Conolly Teak Plantation]].]]

Chaliyar River was in the news a few years ago because of the ecological damage caused by a [[Wood pulp|pulp]] factory at [[Mavoor]], that released effluents into the river and affected the marine life. This factory has since closed down.

[[K. A. Rahman]] led the agitation for cleanup of the river, and inspired the formation of an anti-pollution committee, Paristhithi Samrakshana Samithi, in 1999.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==Tributaries==
* [[Cherupuzha (Mavoor)]]
**Engappuzha
**Iruthullippuzha
**Kadungampuzha
* [[Iruvanjippuzha]]
**Pulingappuzha
**[[Chalippuzha]]. The [[Thusharagiri Falls]] are situated on this river. 
**Muthappanpuzha
* [[Cherupuzha (Areekode)|Thottumukkampuzha]]
* [[Kuthirappuzha]]
**[[Kottappuzha]]
* [[Kuruvanpuzha]]
* [[Kanjirappuzha (Mannarkkad)|Kanjirappuzha]]
* [[Karimpuzha (Malappuram)|Karimpuzha]]
**Cherupuzha (Karulai)
**[[Punnappuzha]] or [[Pandiyar]]
***[[Maruthappuzha]] or [[Kalakkanpuzha]]
****[[Karakkodan puzha]]
* [[Pandippuzha]]
* Neerppuzha
* Vadapurampuzha

In addition to these rivers some creeks also join Chaliyar from Neelithode, Poonkudi, Vadasseri, [[Edavanna]], Kunduthodu and [[Mampad]].

== Tourism ==
[[File:Chaliyar River at Feroke.jpg|alt=Chaliyar River|thumb|A view of the Chaliyar river from the famed [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Feroke+Old+Bridge/@11.1791779,75.8185045,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x3ba650a03f1ff87b:0xd54e082e201c07d!8m2!3d11.1806832!4d75.8290583 Feroke Old Bridge]]]

The banks of the Chaliyar River offer a variety of tourist attractions, rich in natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural heritage.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

==Bridges==
Bridges on this river include:{{fact|date=August 2024}}
*Edavanna Bridge
*Areekkode Bridge
*Edasherikadavu Bridge
*Elamaram Bridge
*Oorkadavu Regulator cum Bridge
*Arappuzha Bridge (Part of NH 66 Bypass)
*Feroke New Bridge (Part of NH 66)
*Feroke Old Bridge
*Feroke Railway Bridge
*Myladi Bridge

== Ghost town==

Across the river Chaliyar lies the abandoned Grasim Industries factory which once employed 2,000 employees.  Environmental agitations in 1998 caused the closure of the factory and the entire village went bankrupt because of the sudden development and eleven people even committed suicide because of not being able to face unexpected poverty.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==Pilgrimage==

The Konnara Dargah is three kilometres away from [[Elamaram]] on the bank of the Chaliyar river.  It is the holy resting place of a [[Muslim saint]] where hundreds of pilgrims visit regularly.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==Nearby villages==
* Irumooliparamba, Ponnempadam, Channayil Palliyali (Santhigram), Akode, Virippadam, Korappadam, Mundumuzhi, Vazhakkad, Valillappuzha, Pancheeri, Elamaram, Mapram, Konnar, Vettathur, Cheruvadikavu, Neerad, Muthuvalloor, Moochikal, Mundakkulam, Muthuparamba, Vettukad, Omanoor, Ponnad, Iruppanthody Karatt Chola Kolambalam Edavannappara, Arappuzha, Cheruvannur.

== See also==
* [[Chaliyam]]
* [[Beypore]]
* [[Feroke]]
* [[Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

*{{cite web | title=Infobox facts | work=All Kerala River Protection Council| url= http://puzhakal0.tripod.com/river.html | access-date=27 August 2005 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929201113/http://www.riverindia.in/index.php?sitesig=RI&page=RI_021_CHALIYAR The River Chaliyar, by M. P. Chandran]
*[http://puzhakal0.tripod.com/river.html About the Rivers of Kerala]
*[[K A Rahman]]{{full citation needed|date=November 2012}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Chaliyar River}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110626083354/http://www.mynilambur.com/2011/01/mayladi-bridge-and-chaliyar-river.html Chaliyar River and Mayladi Bridge Nilambur]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051228123834/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/aug252005/national1439152005824.asp News report about the River after the pulp factory was closed.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061022234848/http://deccanherald.com/deccanherald/aug262005/national2030522005825.asp Life returns to Chaliyar river]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080401133802/http://www.keralaphotos.com/scriptfn/index.php/category_id/114/parent_id/3/photo_id/404/countdisplay/12/start/0.htm Adyanpara waterfalls]

{{Waters of Kerala}}

[[Category:Rivers of Kerala]]
[[Category:Rivers of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:Rivers of Kozhikode district]]
[[Category:Rivers of Malappuram district]]