KERALAN WATERS
Mark Rammers
Words by Mark Rammers.
In Kerala, a state in south-west India, water is everywhere.
I cross into the state from the east, over the Western Ghats mountain range, where small streams flow through the highlands dotted with tea plantations and coconut farms. I follow these trickles of water and witness their transformation into roaring rivers, feeding fresh water into the backwaters. The backwaters are a chain of lakes and lagoons, a unique ecosystem created by the coming together of salt and sweet water. For centuries, the local communities have used these waters for transport, fishing and agriculture.
When I gaze out over the water one early morning from the veranda of my homestay, I see men and women traverse the tree lined canals in small boats and canoes, while pink lilies float the other way on the ebb of the tide. Just like the flow of the water, I end my journey on the Arabian Sea coast. Before sunset I make my way to the boardwalk of Fort Kochi, Kerala’s capital city, where locals and travelers marvel at ancient fishing methods still practised today, sharing snacks and drinks from one of the many street vendors along the beach. I look back inland thinking of how I ended up here, and am reminded of the importance of preserving our waterways for any natural and cultural reasons imaginable.
Mark Rammers
Dutch travel and editorial photographer based in Amsterdam but at home on the road, where he uncovers beauty in ordinary spaces and situations while witnessing the continuous change of the natural and man-made landscapes surrounding us. With a focus on community and connection, Mark immerses myself in communities that face challenges when it comes to protecting their roots and culture in a time of rapid social and environmental change.
