There are around small and big waterfalls across Kerala. Swift and sometimes torrential, waterfalls are dramatic, inspiring poets, painters and writers and their breathtaking beauty evoke many feelings. They are motivating and addictive. If you are looking forward to a respite from the maddening city life then let yourself loose in the lap of nature and feel and enjoy the beauty of the cascading waterfalls. Travel through the most relaxed and peaceful atmosphere of Kerala and relish yourself with the beauty of lush greenery, mystic peaks, cascading showers, brackish lakes and above all charming waterfalls. Kerala is the ‘Home of the monsoons’ and is mostly covered with a dark wreath of monsoons clouds.
One of the most beautiful, attractive, environmentally attached tourist place is ATHIRAPALLI WATERFALL.
"ATHIRAPALLI WATERFALL"
In my personal experience "ATHIRAPALLI WATERFALL" is the most beautiful eco- tourism-related place, located 63 km from Thrissur district, is Kerala’s most famous and largest waterfall. Over 80 ft high, the sight of the waters crashing onto the ground leaves visitors astounded by the sheer power and force of nature. Barely 5 km away is another tourist favorite, Vazhachal Waterfalls, which is a part of the Chalakudy River which calls the Western Ghats it is home. These waterfalls became famous not just for their view, but for the endemic species of hornbills found in the surrounding dense forests.
The 145 kilometers ( 90 mi) long Chalakudy River, originates in the Anamudi mountains of the western ghats and flows through the Vazhachal Forest toward the Arabian Sea. The river initially runs smoothly but becomes more turbulent as it nears Athirapilly. At Athirappilly Falls, the water surges around big rocks and cascades down in three separate plumes. Below the falls, the river remains turbulent for about 1 kilometer ( 0.62 mi) until it reaches Kannamkuzhi. Then it calms and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at Thumburmuzhi.
Plantations in the area contain teak, bamboo, and eucalyptus. Environmentalists claim that Athirappilly 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. The river provides habitat for 85 species of freshwater fishes. Among these, 35 are endemic species.