Mukkadal Dam

View of Mukkadal Dam

Mukkadal dam is built across the Vambaru River in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, 10 km (6.2 mi) from town of Nagercoil. It is a scenic place, favored as a picnic location among local residents. It was built by Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma in 1945, the King of Travancore. The dam is constructed of clay and granite stones. The depth of water behind the dam is approximately 100 ft (30 m). The reservoir supplies water for the town of Nagercoil.

The mountain consists of soaring and lofty trees of Mesua ferrea, Bischofia javanica, Vitex Altissima to smaller trees of Dillini a species of festooning climber, shrubs, valuable herbs, variety of orchids, two types of canes and many indigenous palms and cycads. The important timbers are teak, rosewood, vengai. Various types of forest products like bamboos, reeds, canes, soft wood tamarind, lemon grass, rubber, coconut, areca nut, kadukkai, cinnamon bark, nelli, cardamom, mango, lemon varieties, jack fruit, and many medicinal plants of high value which are harvested here. The mountain range is near the end point of Western Ghats.

From tourism angle, the forest are highly enhancing with pleasant sholas, hill top forests, beautiful grasslands, panoramic valleys, top hillocks, singing streams, vast stretches of rubber plantations, valuable teak plantations and excellent climate. The foot hill is followed by green paddy fields and coconut groves, Banana groves with few rubber plantations.

The dam and reservoir are surrounded by hills on three sides. The people in the nearby villages mainly depend on this beginning point of the Western Ghats for their livelihood.