Muzhappilangad Beach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Moresources Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox landform

Muzhappilangad Beach is a drive-in beach in kannur in Kannur district of Kerala, on the Malabar Coast of India. It is 4 kilometers in length.[1] In 2016, it was featured among the six "best beaches for driving" in an article published by BBC Autos.[2][3] This beach is currently under major renovation.[4]

Overview

File:Fishermen at work by Shagil Kannur.jpg
Fishermen at work on the beach

The Muzhapilangad beach is located parallel to National Highway 66 (formerly National Highway 17) between Kannur and Thalassery.[5] There is an unpaved road winding through coconut groves leading to the beach. The beach is about 3.8 km long and curves in a wide area providing a good view of Kannur on the north. Local laws allow beachgoers to drive for a full 3.4 km directly on the sands of the beach. The beach is bordered by black rocks, which also protect it from the strong currents of the ocean.

These rocks provide habitat for blue mussels. The beach attracts bird-watchers from far off places as hundreds of birds flock here during various seasons.

There is a private island called Dharmadam Island (Pacha Thuruthu in Malayalam, 'Green Island'), approximately 100–200 m south of the beach. It is possible to walk to the island during low tide from the nearby Dharmadam beach.

Tourism

Since the late 1990s, the beach has seen a steady influx of European and other foreign tourists during winter. A major share of foreign and domestic tourists are not aware of the potentials of this elusive destination. It is a must see destination for Indians as well as for foreign tourists. After the ongoing facelift of the beach there has been a huge improvement in the facilities available to the beach visitors including in resorts, roads, etc. The beach is wide and the sand is firm enough to support smooth driving.

Birdwatching hotspot

File:Flying Whimbrel.jpg
Whimbrel at Muzhappilangad Beach
File:Lesser crested terns at Muzhappilangad beach.jpg
Lesser crested terns
File:Ruddy turnstone at Muzhappilangad Beach.jpg
Ruddy turnstone

Despite being a tourist destination, the beach is a birdwatching hotspot too.[6] More than thirty species of migratory birds visit here in the winter. Among them the pectoral sandpiper and Caspian plover, sighted here in 2013, were reported for the first time in Kerala.[7] Long, broad shore and rocky formations on the side of the beach provide a safe place for migrating birds.

Species

Source:[8]

Accessibility

Nearest airports:

Nearest towns/railway stations:

By road:

On National Highway 66 the beach is situated between Kannur town and Thalassery town. There are five village connection roads from the National Highway towards the beach.

Image gallery

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Commonscat

Template:Kannur Template:Kannur district Template:Waters of Kerala Template:Tourism in Kerala

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ [1]
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Birds of Kerala: Status and Distribution; Template:ISBN; DC Books, Kerala, 2001
Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Muzhappilangad_Beach&oldid=2115169"