Kallayi is one of the rivers in Kerala, India. It originates in Cherikkulathur in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 45 m and is 40 km long. It is linked to the Chaliyar River by a man-made canal on the south side of the small timber village of Kallayi lying on its banks.Its basin is located in the Kozhikode District. It runs only 22 kilometers to meet the Arabian Sea, but long history of culture, tradition and foreign trade runs through the veins of this great river. It was the first and most prominent navigable waterway during 6the reign of Zamorins.Strong granite rock structures were erected during this period to make this waterway safe for navigation.
In those days this was the main route for timber, hill produces and spices from nilambur forest to reach the commercial port of Calicut.Rafts and country boats were used for transporting goods.There was a link route to elathur via kanoli canal, a man made waterway connecting korapuzha river and the kallai river.Kallai gained its international fame for its timber trade. Foreign traders, especially Arab, Chinese and Japanese came to Kozhikode mainly for the timber. Hundreds of Timber mills sprouted up along the banks of Kallai River. The salty water of this river was believed to render extra strength to the timber. Logs that came from different places were left to stay in the water for several days. Huge cranes used to lift these logs were a common sight along the river bank.Constant encroaching of the banks of the river by land owners has cause the river to slow its flow which has caused pollutants to be concentrated in certain areas.
In those days this was the main route for timber, hill produces and spices from nilambur forest to reach the commercial port of Calicut.Rafts and country boats were used for transporting goods.There was a link route to elathur via kanoli canal, a man made waterway connecting korapuzha river and the kallai river.Kallai gained its international fame for its timber trade. Foreign traders, especially Arab, Chinese and Japanese came to Kozhikode mainly for the timber. Hundreds of Timber mills sprouted up along the banks of Kallai River. The salty water of this river was believed to render extra strength to the timber. Logs that came from different places were left to stay in the water for several days. Huge cranes used to lift these logs were a common sight along the river bank.Constant encroaching of the banks of the river by land owners has cause the river to slow its flow which has caused pollutants to be concentrated in certain areas.
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