Drainage and Rivers
More than anything else, water is the most important resource of the sanctuary
that is crucial to the human welfare. There are many seasonal and perennial
streams that join the reservoirs constructed across the Kuttiady River, the
largest river in Kozhikode district (Murat River in olden days). The existence
of forests tract in the upstream catchments greatly influences the water quality
in the downstream and reservoirs. It has a catchment area of about 583 km2 and
is estimated to discharge 1224.30 MCM of water annually. Other drainage systems
that join the Kuttiady puzha are:
Onipuzha
Drains the Southern portions of Pannikkottoor RF and northern portion of Pilla
Peruvanna malavaram. It is the Southern boundary of Pannikottoor malavaram. The river is perennial.
Alerimuzhi thodu or Alampara thodu
Drains northern portion of Pannikkottoor RF and Vested Forests of Muttuveedu beat.
Kadantharapuzha
Drains Vested Forests in Chudupullan area and part of the Kuttiady range. It is perennial.
Muthuveedu puzha
Drains Pulikkan area.
Reservoirs
Besides the above rivers, many other streams and rivulets also originate from the forests
of this sanctuary. The reservoirs of Kakkayam Hydro Electric Project and Kuttiady Irrigation
Project depend solely on the water from the rivers and rivulets originating from the forests
of this sanctuary. The former is constructed for power generation for the entire state and
latter for drinking water and irrigation needs of this region.