An electric boat that takes a sustainable tourism route to Kochi’s Kadamakkudi Islands

It’s a calm day for a boat ride, the wind a gentle caress. Conditions are ideal on an almost-winter-like day. Periyar water around Kadamakkudi is still like glass. In the distance can be seen a pole that used to make Chinese fishing nets as they mark the outline of the river. The silence is refreshing, it is hard to believe that it is only a few kilometers away from the noise of the heart of the city.

A boat ride to Periyar, common in the backwaters surrounding the 14 islands of Kadamakkudi, is an unusual ride. Dean and Smoke, the default allies of such a ride, are absent. The 12-seater twin-engine electric cruiser glides silently through the water leaving not so much as a trace in the water. Generally, apart from carbon emissions and noise pollution, motorized boats also leave a trail of oil in the water.

With this cruiser called Legend of Osu, Kochi-based company Tropic Getaways is trying to offer tourists a different, sustainable experience. Founder Vishal Koshi says, “We strive to showcase sustainable, responsible tourism with zero impact on the environment. The people living in these islands are independent and self-sufficient, interacting with them is a wonderful experience. ” To that end, it seems that his efforts, the tours, part of the aptly named The Living Islands of Kadamakkudi project, are working. The Legend of Osu officially took to the water in September this year.

The boat weaves in and out of the river, passing between islands, under the small bridges that connect the small islands, seeing what life is like on these islands. A very different experience from the backwaters of Alappuzha. Very hot, delicious chukku kaapi (dry ginger infused coffee), which guide or narrator Hrithik Peter pours into glasses from a thermos flask, and KujalappamOver banana chips and bite-sized Kerala samosas, Vishal and Hrithik share stories of the islands, the people and the backwaters.

Paper cups and plates, plastic water bottles would have been easy choices, but not at Legend. Since there are refreshments (depending on the duration of the cruise) and plenty of water on board, guests don’t need to take anything on board. It is also an effective means of discouraging water pollution.

The backwaters are wide so you can see the sky meet the water. As the boat passes the islands, Hrithik points out landmarks at the places we pass. We are on an hour-long cruise, which passes through Cheriya Kadamakkudi, Pizala, Murikkal, Walia Kadamakkudi, Paliam Thuruth, Chaliyam Thuruth and back to Nihara Spa & Resorts, Kadamakkudi, opposite where the journey begins.

Cultivated pokkali farms, thick mangroves, uninhabited islands and islands inhabited by one person, and fish farms dotted the route we took. Hrithik pointed to an island with a ‘house’. “Joseph Conscious He used to live here with his family. It can be rather lonely on these islands especially if you are the only resident and life is not easy. His family left, but he refused to leave his beloved island,” says Vishal.

Hrithik points to a huge water tank on another island and says, “During the 2018 floods, the water reached the top of the tank. The only part that could be seen in these parts was; Everything else has sunk,’ he says. Dreadful memories of the days when the waters of Periyar rose up alarmingly.

Tropic Getaways has curated these ‘cruises’ in such a way that there is variety in terms of offerings. There is history, ornithology, farming (except pokkali, fish and mud crab), food tasting (customized menu with a main role for pokli rice), all without compromising on the sustainability aspect. If interested, guests can opt for a walking tour of these islands, and there are special boat rides for those exploring one or more of these.

“These are not ‘stages’ – the farms and farmers, the people sharing their stories are real people who have lived here for generations,” Vishal says. We pass by a group of fishermen diving for fish. “They are so silent that even the fish do not know when these people approach them. Did you know that there are about seven ways to fish in these waters! ” chips in Hrithik.

The boat itself is interesting – Vishal got the boat custom made. “The intention was sustainable, responsible tourism and I couldn’t do it with a diesel boat.” To build an e-powered boat, finding a fabricator to work to his specifications was not easy. But eventually, he found a local boat builder. “There was a risk assessment spanning 100 hours, tracking the route for three months before we were ready to travel.” For those worried about the boat stalling, with two engines the other will kick in if one fails.

It was named The Legend of Osu for the 99-year-old Osu Conscious What the locals consider ‘Kadamakkudi’s Bridge’, a boatman who has been ferrying travelers across the criss-crossing backwaters for over 50 years. “Local legend has it that he never leaves a man behind.” On the boat is a drawing by a local artist, of a motley crew of people waiting for Osu Conscious As he raises each person.

As Vishal explains the environmental benefits of electric boats in these backwaters, we traditional bell (Ferry) – two country boats connected by a platform connected to each other – an autorickshaw transport.

The smoke and noise is a stark contrast to the ride in Legend. With many years of experience in the tourism sector, he tried to develop tourism by promoting and developing less traveled destinations. Tropiq Getaways also offers other sustainable activities such as kayaking and e-bike tours.

However, only the legend is there for now, with Vishal hoping to expand the fleet by adding more e-boats.

For details, tropiqgetaways.com or call 7778067267. Fees are ₹3,000 for an hour-long cruise for four and ₹3,500 for a group of five-10 people; ₹7,000 for four for two hours and ₹8,000 for a group of five-10 people.