THOMMANKUTHU Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on earth. It includes the variability of species in terrestrial, aerial and aquatic habitats , the diversity of ecosystems and the diversity of genes they harbor. It is essential component of nature and it ensures the survival of human species by providing food,fuel,shelter, medicines and other resources to mankind. Indirectly, biodiversity serves the mankind by providing the basic life supporting systems such as clean air, water and fertile soil. Western Ghats of wich THOMMANKUTHU is a part, harbors many rare, endangered and threatened species. Aquatic species have evolved and adapted to watery habitats over millions of years. The living elementes in the aquatic ecosystem uyse the water fully or partially for its lifecycle. The scenic beauty of thommankuthu lies in its waterfalls. It is named after Thumben a tribal elder who was brave enough to venture into the rapids during the Great Floods of early 1900s but was taken away by the waters. Situated at 74 kms from Kochi and 19 kms from Thodupuzha in Karimannoor panchayat, in Idukki District Of Kerala. Here we have a rapidly moving freshwater ecosystem born in the higher forest reaches and swishing down the rocks. The dissolved oxygen determines the level and variety of life. The Thommankuthu stream drains into Kaliyar River a tributary of the Muvattupuzha River which ultimately drains into the Vembanad Lake.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 04:28:00 +0000