Q S T and R Block Kayal

Q S T and R Block Kayal is a scenic backwater destination in Kuttanad, known as the Rice Bowl of Kerala. Located in Kainakary village in Alappuzha district, this area features reclaimed land situated four to ten feet below sea level, protected by Dutch-style dikes. The kayals are accessible only by boat and represent indigenous agricultural engineering, where paddy cultivation occurs below sea level. This region is part of popular houseboat cruise routes and showcases serene waterways surrounded by lush paddy fields.

Visitors can expect a tranquil boat journey through pristine backwaters featuring reclaimed paddy fields below sea level. The landscape includes Dutch-style dikes protecting cultivated land, crisscrossing canals lined with coconut trees, and traditional village life. The area offers peaceful scenery with lush greenery and opportunities to observe local agriculture and water-based livelihoods. Access is exclusively by boat, providing an immersive experience of Kerala's unique below-sea-level farming system.

The Q, S, T and R Blocks are pieces of land reclaimed from the Vembanad backwaters through indigenous engineering efforts. Land reclamation for paddy cultivation in Kuttanad dates back centuries, with a major phase beginning in 1888. The area represents traditional knowledge of below-sea-level farming, where farmers created polders protected by dikes similar to Dutch flood control systems.

The kayals showcase Kerala's unique below-sea-level rice cultivation system, recognized as one of the few such systems globally. The area is culturally significant for hosting traditional Snake Boat Races and represents the agricultural heritage of Kuttanad, known as the Rice Bowl of Kerala. The reclaimed lands demonstrate centuries-old engineering prowess of local communities.