Kerala backwaters: Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The largest backwater body, the Vembanad Lake, flows through Alappuzha and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Cochin port (source of the Map). Former rice barrages have been converted and newer boats have been built for over-night tourist boats. Well over 100 boats can hold one or several families. The crews operate, cook, and clean the boats, which can be rented for over-night stays.  Stops to buy fresh fish and to visit churches, temples, and families are additional highlights of a trip in the backwards. The waterways are natural but have been modified over the centuries -- dikes and canals protect and irrigate low-lying rice fields now. These photos are from a cruise in and out of Vembanad Lake as far south as Vaikon.

Houseboats are an excellent example of eco-tourism -- about 300,000 foreign and 6 million domestic tourists visited Kerala in 2004.
1) boats are still built by local boat builders, mostly with hand tools;
2) locally-made coconut rope (coir) and wood are used for boat building;
3) boat supplies (gasoline, outboard motors and parts) are locally purchased;
4) boat crews (three men for one couple) are locally hired;
5) food supplies are locally bought in settlements and along the way, e.g., fresh fish, fruits, and beer;
6) tourists make donations at local churches and temples.