Munroe Island (Munroethuruthu) is an archipelago of eight tiny islands at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River in Kollam, Kerala. Over the past two decades, residents and scientists have documented alarming rates of land subsidence and increasingly severe tidal flooding that has earned it the nickname 'The Sinking Island of Kerala'.
During high spring tides (especially between September and November), seawater breaches the low-lying banks and floods homes, farms, and village lanes. Some areas that were dry land 30 years ago are now permanently underwater.
Multiple factors converge: (1) The Kallada Irrigation Project dam, built upstream, drastically reduced the natural sediment flow that historically replenished the island's soil. Without new silt deposits, the existing land slowly erodes. (2) Post-2004 Indian Ocean tsunami geomorphological shifts altered the coastline and tidal patterns. (3) Global sea-level rise adds incremental pressure. (4) Railway embankment vibrations from the Kollam–Kottayam line running through the island may contribute to soil compaction.
Local geologists note that the confluence point of lake and river creates uniquely vulnerable hydrology — tidal pressure from the Arabian Sea pushes saltwater into Ashtamudi Lake, which in turn pushes water levels higher across Munroe Island's canals.
Despite the challenges, Munroe Island's approximately 13,000 residents continue their traditional livelihoods: coir fiber production, prawn farming, coconut cultivation, and fishing. The community's resilience is remarkable — houses are built on raised plinths, boats serve as essential transport during flood weeks, and village life adapts to the water's rhythm.
For visitors, this reality adds a layer of profound meaning to the canoe ride. You're not just touring scenic backwaters — you're witnessing a fragile ecosystem and a community living in harmony with an unpredictable waterscape.
Kerala's government and environmental organizations are working on mangrove restoration projects along the island's vulnerable banks. Mangrove roots act as natural barriers against tidal erosion. By booking your canoe tour with licensed native boatmen through official platforms, a portion of tourism revenue directly supports local families and conservation awareness.
As a visitor, you can help by: using local boatmen rather than outside operators, carrying zero single-use plastic, and sharing the island's ecology story on social media to raise awareness about sustainable backwater tourism.