DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS.

GOVERNMENT OF KERALA
 DISTRICT
HAND BOOKS OF
KERALA

NIEPA DC

W a y a n a d
D10848

DEPARTMENT OF PIBLIC RELATIONS,

GOVERNMENT OF KERALA
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WAYANAD

Department o f Public Relations

November 1997

Editor-in-chief
L. Natarajan LA.S
Director o f Public Relations

Compiled by
P. Raj an
Dist. Information Officer, Wayanad

Editor
M. Josephath
(Information Officer, Planning & D evelopm ent)

Asst. Editor
Xavier Primus Raj an M.R.
(Asst. Information Officer, Planning & D evelopm ent)

Cover
E. S. Varghese

Published by the Director, Department o f Public Relations, G ovem m ent o f Kei

Copies : 10,000
Not for Sale
 Contents
Introduction.................................................................................5
A Short H istory......................................................................... 5
Salient Features......................................................................... 7
Topography.................................................................................9
Clim ate................................................................................... 10
R ivers...................................................................................... 11
Flora and F a u n a ..................................................................12
Population........................................................... ..................13
Religion and C u sto m s............................................ ...........15
Socio-econom ic C on d itio n s............................................17
A dm inistration.....................................................................18
Important T o w n s..................................................................21
Agriculture........................................................... ................ 21
Irrigation................................................................................24
Animal H usbandry..............................................................24
C o-operation........................................................................ 25
E ducation...............................................................................26
Em ploym ent............................................................................ 29
H ealth.......................... .............................................................29
Industry..................................................................................... 30
Transport................................................................................... 31
Some Important Institutions............................................... 32
Mass M ed ia ..............................................................................35
A rt...............................................................................................36
Centres o f W orsh ip .............................................................. 36
Places o f Tourist Im p ortan ce.............................................39
Some Important Telephone N u m b e r s............................ 46
Bare F acts................................................................................. 47
District M a p ............................................................................ 49
 FOREWORD

The need for a handbook on the districts of Kerala has

been felt for some time, especially with the existing ones of the
Department getting out of print. With the advancement on the
travel, tourism and communication fronts, the demand for updated
handbooks on the districts has been on the increase. It is in this
context that a new series of district handbooks have been decided
upon, by the Department of Public Relations.

It is hoped that this book would cater to the

requirements of the tourists as well as the general public who seek
a hkndy booklet containing basic information about Wayanad
district.

Suggestions for improvement are welcome.

Thiruvananthapuram L* N A T A R A J A N I.A .S.

^'November, 1997 DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
 T estled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, lies Wayanad,
N one of the lovehest hill stations of Kerala. This green paradise,
located at a distance of about 76 kms. from the seashores of Kozhikode,
lies at a height of 700 to 2100 m. above sea level, on the north eastern part
of the state. The name, Wayanad, is believed to have been derived from
the word, Vayalnadu, meaning the land of paddy fields. The present
district of Wayanad was carved out, from the parts of Kozhikode and
Kannur districts and came into being on 1st November 1980 as the 12th
district of Kerala. This backward district is, perhapes one of the biggest
foreign exchange earners of the state, thanks to its cash crops of pepper,
cardiamom, coffee, tea, spices and other condiments.

Most of the reserve forests in the state are in this district. The
loamy soil generally show wide variation in depth and texture with a.very
high content of organic matter. A large percentage of the population in
this region are tribals. The native Adivasis mainly consist of various sects
like Paniyas, Kurumas, Adiyars, kurichyas, Ooralis, Kattimaikkans, etc.

A SHORT HISTORY

Comprising an area of 2126 sq. kilometres, Wayanad has a

powerful history. Historians are of the view that organised human life
existed in these parts, at least teri centuries before Christ. Countless
evidiences about New Stone Age civilisation can be seen on the hills of
Wayanad. The two caves of Ampukuthimala located between Sultan
Bathery and Ambalavayal, with pictures painted on their walls and
pictorial writings, speak volumes of the bygone era and civilisation.

Recorded history of this district is available from the 18th

century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda
tribe. In later days,
Wayanad came under
the rule o f the
Pazhassi Rajahs of
K ottayam royal
dynasty. When
Hyder Ali became the
ruler of Mysore, he
invaded W ayanad
and brought it under
Pazhassi Tomb at Mananthuvady - where rests the his sway. In the days
mortal remains o f the brave son o f Kerala - of Tipu, Wayanad
Veera Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (A.D. 1805)
was restored to the
K ottayam royal
dynasty. But Tipu handed over the entire Malabar region to the British,
after the Sreerangapattanam truce, he made with them. This was followed
by fierce and internecine encounters between the British and Kerala
Varma Pazhassi Rajah of Kottayam. When the Rajah was driven to the
wilderness of Wayanad, he organised the war-like Kurichya tribals into
a sort of people’s militia and engaged the British in several guerrilla type
encounters. In the end, the British could get only the dead body of the
Rajah, who killed himself somewhere in the interior of the forest.

Thus, Wayanad fell into the hands of the British and with it came
a new turn in the history of this area. The British authorities opened up
the plateau for cultivation of tea and other cash crops. Roads were laid
across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad, from Kozhikode and Thalassery.
These roads were extended to the cities of Mysore and Ooty through
Gudalur. Through the roads poured in settlers from all parts of Kerala and
the virgin forest lands proved a veritable goldmine with incredible yields
of cash crops.
 When the State of Kerala came into being in November 1956,
V'ayanaid was part of Kannur district. Later, south Wayanad was added to
tozhikode district. In order to fulfil the aspirations of the people of
V^ayanad for development, north Wayanad and south Wayanad were
arved out and joined together to form the present district of Wayanad.
'his district came into being on November 1,1980 as the 12th district of
Lerala.

S A IJ E N T F E A T U R E S

The total geographical area and population of Wayanad are 2,126

jp.kius, (2,12,560 heels.) and 6,72,12S respectively, which account for
p,4S per cent and 2.31 per cent of the state total. The male and female
Populat ion arc 3,41,958 and 3,30,170 respectively. The female -male sex
atit) is ‘966 per 1000 males. The density of population is 315 per sq.km.
11991 c^ensus) against 260 in 1981, showing an increase of 21 per cent.

The literacy rate in the region is 70.61 per cent. Male literates are
|,53,67'9 and females are 2,18,933.

Tts geographical position is

ieculiair and unique. The difference in
!iltitude:sofeach locality within the district
presents avariation of climatic conditions.
Halure lhasblessed this part of the country
beautifully with mist-clad mountains and
iiylvan valleys. The idyllic nature of
jtVayaniac, its nearness to
Jdagannandalam (Ooty) and Mysore with
vell-laiid roads to these centres, offer
^temendous tourist potentialities.

A visitor may be impressed by

[he extensive paddy fields of the district.
igi icultture in Wayanad is equally divided
€tvvee n paddy and plantation crops, and distant hills - A view
fromManikkunnu Hill
except coconut. The hills, which are dets) blue in bright sunlight and 1:
mist-covered most of the time, juxtapposis with the green of these padc
fields. This, infact, is a splendid spectacb.

The east flowing rivers of Wayarad are in striking contrast to tl

various rivers of the rest of Kerala. The river Kabani of Wayanad isi
perennia source of water to Cauveri
ThePananararn rivulet, originating I'roi
Lakkidi ind the Mananthavady rivulj
originatiig from Thondarmudi Peaj
m^et six tilometres north of Panamaraj
town andafter the confluence, the river’
known a: Kabani.

Coffee s ubiquitous in Wayanad. It

cultivated in every panchayat, both in tl:
form of large plantations and sma
holdings The economy o f Wayana
depends mainly on coffee. In Kerali
coffee is cultivated in an area of 75,05
hects. wi:h Wayanad district having th
highest aiea o f66,999 hectares. Pepper;
grown asan additional crop on trees th?
Meenmutty waterfall - cool,
beautiful, wild and exhilerating ! are grooried to give shade to the coffe
shrubs, [n Pulpally area, there ar
exclusive pepper gardens. Tea is cultivated in large estates.

Wayanad has the highest concentration of tribals in Kerala. The

form 17.1% of the total population of ;he district. The aborigines c
Wayanad have a great political tradition. This area was orginally reigne
by the Rajahs of the Veda tribe. Later, political authority came to th
Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty.

The Kurichyas of Wayanad have a great martial tradition. The

constituted the army of Pazhassi Veera Kerala Varma Rajah who engage
the British forces in several battles. The descendants of those warriors ar
still expert arcier;. The excellence of Kurichya archery has been
exhibited recenly,at various centres.

W''ayanid las an agricultural economy and it has no major

industry to boast ol Heavy industry will probably tilt the ecological and
demograplhic bilaice adversely. The idyllic nature of this district,
togetiher with ib' olourful tribal life and brazing climate, will make
tourism paiy rid. diidends.

Developm«ital activities are bringing about a change in the poor

f n a i n ’ .'S quaility cf Ife. Through the co-Qperatlve sector, Adivasis are

provided with a bitter deal in the economic life. There are 324 co­
operative iinstitutiois. Of this, 40 SC-ST service co-operative societies
cater to their farm aid market requirements. Besides, there are three co­
operative colleclivtfarms including the famous Sugandhagiri Project. A
lab-oar coatract co-)perative society for the benefit of Adivasis is also
functiioning here.

A notable fature of life in Wayanad is that it is touched to its very

roots by the operatim of the nationalised, commercial and co-operative
ban k s. The branche of these banks located in the remote areas of the
district have a busy*:ime during the marketing time of cash crops.

TOPOGRAPHY

Wayanad lis between north latitude 11° 27' and 15° 58' and east
longitiude 75° 47' ari 70° 27'. It is bounded on the east by Nilgiris and
M ysore districts o f’’amilnadu and Karnataka respectively, on the north
by Coorg district ofCamataka, on the south by Malappuram district and
on the west by Kozikode and Kannur districts.

Placed on tb southern tip of the Deccan plateau, its prime glory

is the majestic Wstern Ghats with lofty ridges interspersed with
rnagni ficerit forests,angled jungles and deep valleys. In the centre of the
district, hills are lov^r in height, while the northern area has high hills
and they give a wil’and mountainous appearance. Some of the major
peaks are Vellarimala, Banasura, Brahmagiri, Chembra, etc. ranging
from 1,500 mts. to 2,100 mts. height.

The eastern area is flat and open. Due to the peculiar terrain, there
are east flowing and west flowing rivers. The low hills are full of
plantations like tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom while the valleys have
a predominance of paddy fields.

The altitude of Wayanad varies from 700 to 2,100 metres from

sea level. The hill ranges of Vythiri taluk, through which the road from
Kozhikode ascends the Wayanad plateau over mind-boggling bends and
ridges, are the highest locations. From the highest altitude of the Western
Ghats on the western border of the district, the plateau of Wayanad
gradually slopes down eastward. Further from Mananthavady, it becomes
a common plain of paddy fields with the swift flowing Kabani coursing
through it.

Elsewhere, Wayanad offers a panorama of undulating hills and

dales which are converted into paddy fields. The hills which might have
been thick forests once, are now plantations of coffee, tea or cardamom.
There is a lushy luxuriant green all round. On a clear day from the river
bed of Kabani, Wayanad will seem to be a fairy land with the deep blue
mountains juxtapposed with the less blue sky and white vagrant wads of
cottonwool like clouds amidst them.

The soil of Wayanad district is mainly of the forest type. It

promotes a lushy luxuriant growth of vegetation which makes Wayanad
clothed in uniform greenery. This district has 787 ha. under forests.

CLIMATE

Wayanad has a salubrious climate. The mean average rain fall in

this district is 2322 m.m.. Lakkidy, Vythiri and Meppadi are the high
rainfall areas in Wayanad. Annual rain fall in these high rain fall areas
ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 m.m.. High velocity winds are common during
the south west monsoon and dry winds blow in March-April. High altitude
regions experience severe cold. In Wayanad (Ambalavayal) the mean
m aximum aid minimum temperature for the last five years were 29°C and
18°C respecively. This place experiences a high relative humidity which
goes even u) to 95 per cent during the south west monsoon period.

Gererally, the year is classified into four seasons, namely, cold

weather (Dccember-Febmaiy), hot weather (March-May), south west
monsoon (Juie-September) and north east monsoon (October-November).

Thedale, ‘Lakkidi’, nestled among the hills of Vythiri taluk has

the highest everage rainfall in Kerala. The average lam fall ii\ Wayaivad
is 300 tmii. p^r year. There is a decreasing trend in rainfall in this area. The
average rainfall data shows that the lowest rain fall received from north­
east inonsom, is in Wayanad district.

R IV E R S

K ab a n i
river, one o f he three
east flowing ’ivers of
K e ra la , s an
important tributary of
the river Ciuvery.
K ab a n i aid its
tributaries constitute
a pow^erfu river
system in tie land
scape o f Wajanad. Pookot lake - llie Panamaram rivulet, one uj (he main
tributaries o f the Kabani river, takes its origin from the
Pookot lake.
Pananaram
rivulet takes i'5 origin
from the perennial lake called, ‘Pookodu lake’. It flows swiftly through
mountain gages and joined by other streams, tumbles down into
Panamaram '^alley. Six kilometres further from Panamaram, this river
joins with the Mananthavady ri\oilet, originating from the lower regions
of the peak Thondarmudi’. From this confluence onwards, the river is
known as Kabani, a mighty, perennial river which after entering Karnataka
State, joins with the river Cauvery. Almost entire Wayanad is drained by
the Kabani river and its tributaries, namely, Panamaram river,
Mananthavady river and Thirunelli river.

FLORA AND FAUNA

The florae of Wayanad are characteristic of the Western Ghats

and the plantation crops grown in the cool climate. A major portion o f the
district is covered by coffee. Trees of the wild type like rose-wood, anjili
( A r 1 0 c a r p u s ),
rti u 11 u rn u r i k k u
(Erthrina), several
species of caussia
and many other non­
descript varieties are
still preserved here
and there, to give
shade to the coffee
plants. These trees
Silver oak being grown amidst tea. This, apart from
give a sembalance of
providing shade to the plantation crop, supports the w ilderness to the
pepper vines and matures fast into raw material for the landscape of
plywood industry.
W ayanad. In a
majority of coffee plantations, the age-old species are replaced by the
silver-oak which is suited to the cold climate. This tree grows quickly and
its cultivation is widespread among coffee plantations for shade and for
giving support to pepper. It is used for the plywood industry and thus is
economical to the farmers. Eucalyptus grandis, a shorter variety of
eucalyptus ,whose fragrant smell suffuses the very air around it, is
cultivated on a large scale in certain parts of the district. Eucalyptus oil is
extracted on commercial basis from its leaves. O f the 20,864 hectares of
reserve forest, the major portion is teak plantation. Arecanut palms and
jacktrees are also grown here. Tea is grown as an industry in large estates.

The soil and climate of Wayanad are suitable for horiculture on

commercial bass. For promoting the cultivation of vegetables and raising
o f orchards, th: Kerala Agricultural University is running a Regional
Agricultural Research Station at Ambalavayal.

With the clearing of forests, the diverse and buzzling animal life,
characteristic cf the forests of Western Ghats, has vanished from
W^ayanad One can still see the bonnet monkeys, loris, mongooses, jungle
cats, squirrels, jackals, hares, etc. in the limited forest areas.

EJephait, bear and other wild animals from the neighbouring

wild life sanctuiries of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, stray into the Bcgur
fores;t range and the forests around Muthanga, which is 20 kilometres
away from the t3wn of Sulthan Bathery.

POPULATION
The population of the district, according to 1991 census, is
6,72,128 ofvhichm ale population is 3,41,958 and female 3,30,170. The
density o f p)piilation is 316.2 per sq. kilometre. The population of
scheduled tribes is 1,14,969 and that of scheduled caste is 27,835.

Striciy speaking, there is no urban population in Wayanad.

However, life in Sulthan Bathery, Mananthavady and Kalpetta is in the
process of ganir.g urban status. The decadal growth rate in the population
of Wayanad ivas 59.17 per cent in 1941-51,62.60 per cent in 1951-61,
50 ,35 per cen; in 1961 -71 and 33.71 per cent in 1971 -81. In the first three
decades o f ths century, the growth of population in Wayanad was less
than ten per cent.

This jhows that there was an influx of settlers to Wayanad after

the Second Vorld War. The economic slump, difficulties and miseries
creep ing as a Jesuit of war into the life of common people, compelled them
to seek ‘pastires anew’ on the virgin soil of Wayanad from all parts of
Keral aand Kanataka. In the first year of settlement, thousands succumbed
to m alaria ant the attack of wild animals. Those who survived these and
the cold condtions, cleared the forests and transformed Wayanad into a
paradise o f posperity.
 Total number of workers in the district is 2,27,453. Out of them
53,773 are females. There are 40,729 cultivators of which the male
numbers 36,063 and females 4,666. Total number of labourers are 74,813
of which 26,907 are females.

Population Figures - 1991

Pancliayat/ Area Population

Municipality sq.knis. Males Females Total Density

1. Meppadi 198.65 28,345 28,185 56,530 284.6

2. Vythiri 47.83 7,202 7,257 14,459 302.3
3. Pozhuthana 71.30 8,079 8,150 16,229 227.6
4. Kottathara 31.75 7,248 7,246 14,494 456.5
5. Thariyode 71.17 5,200 5,036 10,236 143.8
6. Padiiiyarethara 55.18 10,820 10,578 21,398 387.8
7. Vengappally 21.16 4,550 4,564 9,114 430.7
8. Muttil 47.37 13,586 13,181 26,767 565.1
9. Kaniyampatta 37.80 12,456 11,963 24,419 646.0
10.Ambalavayal 60.65 15,281 15,161 30,442 501.9
11.Noolpuzha 242.97 11,806 11,345 23,151 95.3
12.SulthanBatheiy 103.22 18,034 17,000 35,034 339.4
13.Meenangadi 53.52 14,829 13,744 28,573 533.9
H .Poothadi 82.88 18,805 17,739 36,544 440.9
15.Pulpally 77.70 15,912 14,123 30,035 386.6
16.Nenmeni 69.38 18,448 18,597 37,045 533.9
n .M u llan k olli 71.58 15,534 13,337 28,871 403.3
18. Panamarara 80.90 18,738 18,077 36,815 455.1
19.Vellamunda 64.54 15,410 15,088 30,498 472.5
20.Edavaka 47.26 12,494 12,252 24,746 523.6
21.Mananthavady 80.10 19,076 18,760 37,836 472.4
22. Thirunelli201.16 11,910 11,619 23,529 117.0
23.Thavinjal 142.30 16,518 16,257 32,775 230.3
24.Thondamad 131.15 9,893 9,746 19,639 149.7
25.Kalpetta(M ) 34.14 11,784 11,165 22,949 672.2
Total 2,125.66 3,41,958 3,30,170 6,72,128 316.2
Populatiol - Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Scheduled Castes Schefiuled Tribes
Si. Panchmyat Males Females Total % of the Males Female:; Total % of the
No. Municipalil' total popu­ total popu­
lation of the lation of the
panchayat panchayat
1. Meppadi 2,379 2,329 4,708 8.33 1,933 1,925 3,858 6.82
2. Vytihiri 1,084 1,036 2,120 14.66 334 318 652 4.51
3. Pozliuthani 613 586 1,119 7.39 1,411 1,494 2,905 17.90
4. K-Ottathara 242 228 470 3.24 1,918 1,959 3,877 26.75
5. Thajriyode 95 115 210 2.05 1,144 1,144 2,288 22.35
6. Fadjnjaretliira 606 622 1228 5.74 1,234 1,259 2,493 11.65
7. VengappalV 154 155 309 3.39 1,156 1,109 2,265 24.85
8. Muttil 466 433 899 3.36 1,947 2,015 3,962 14.80
9. Kaniyampata 356 326 682 2.79 2,593 2,598 5,191 21.26
10. Ambalavayil 442 393 835 2.74 2,250 2,312 4,562 14,99
11. Noolpuzha 469 460 929 4.01 4,488 4,444 8,932 38.58
12. Sulthan Batiery 880 874 1754 5.01 2,114 2,061 4,175 11.92
13. Meenangad 419 374 793 2.78 3,105 3,040 6,145 21,51
14. Poothadi 468 435 903 2.47 3,356 3,220 6,576 17.99
15. Pulpally 489 426 915 3.05 2,623 2,701 5,324 17.73
16. Nenmeni 802 775 1577 4.26 2,987 3,194 6,181 16.69
17. Mullankolli 793 735 1528 5.29 1,202 1,112 2,314 8.01
18. Panamaram 506 501 1007 2.74 4,224 4,306 8,530 23.17
19. Vellamunda 274 271 545 1.79 2,369 2,398 4,767 15.63
20. Edavaka 118 110 228 0.92 1,804 1,825 3,629 14.66
21. Mananthavaiy 694 680 1374 3.63 2,678 2,836 5514 14.57
22. riiiainelli 230 209 439 1.87 4,623 4,530 9,153 38.90
23. Thavinjal 632 634 1266 3.86 2,809 2,730 5,539 16.90
24. T'hondamad 224 245 469 2.39 1,874 1,837 3,711 18.90
25. Kalpetta (M; 757 691 1448 6.31 1,210 1,216 2,426 10.57
Total 14,192 13,643 27,835 4.14 57,386 57,583 1,14,969 17.10

R E L IG IO N AND C U S T O M S

No religion can be said to be predominant in this district. The

di fferent religious groups of the state are more or less equally represented.
A characteristic aspect of Wayanad is a large Adivasi population. Though
they are in the Hindu fold, primitive forms of worship still prevail among
them. Ancestral worship and offerings to propitiate the spirits of ancestors
are still prevalent. Two deities commonly worshipped by the Adivasis are
Thampunitty and Vettakkonimakan. They also worship the Hindu gods of
various temples in the district. Adivasis do not have any temple of their
own. Paniyar, Acliyan, Kurichyar, Kunimar, Kattunaikkar, Kadan and
Oorali are the different aboriginal tribes of Wayanad. The Kurichyar are
the most developed among them. They are small landowners, whereas the
members of other tribes are mostly labourers.

Some of the centuries old temples and their Brahmin settlements

suggest the earliest attempts that were made to bring the Adivasis under
the Hindu religious fold. The Thirunelli and Valliyoorkavu temples which
are known outside Wayanad as the temples of Adivasis, are in fact run by
Hindu settlers with the help of Brahmin priests. Adivasis are allowed to
worship and participate in the festivals of these temples. More than
anything else, the myths woven around the temples including the one
about Sita, Rama’s consort and her two sons Leva and Kusa, have drawn
the aboriginal mind to the Hindu system of belief

Wayanad has a small Jain community consisting of the Gounders

who came from Karnataka. They have built beautiful temples all over the
district.

Almost all sections of Christianity are well-represented. The

Syrian Catholics have their Bishop’s house at Sulthan Bathery and the
Roman Catholics have their own at Mananthavady. The Bishop’s house
of the Jacobite Syrian Church is at Meenangadi. One fourth o f the
population of Wayanad is constituted by Christians. They are the largest
religious group in Wayanad. A section of Kurichyas of Mananthavady
has been converted to Christianity.

Muslims constitute another one fourth of the population. They

are Moplas who came fromMalappuram and Kozhikode districts. A large
number of them are labourers. Muslim women labourers are a usual sight
here. Hindus oldifferent castes like Nairs, Thiyyas, etc. who settled here
from different }arts of Kerala, form the rest of the population.

SOCIO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

The totil number of households in this district is 1,34,654 and

there are 1,33, 65 houses. Unlike other districts, only 83-86 per cent of
the total holdings come under the holding size between 0.02 to 1.00 ha.
' Phis is because »fthe larger number of plantation crop holdings in the high
ranges. The holling size between 2.0 and 10 hectares existing in Wayanad
disUict is 1.%ptr cent (90H2 ha). Number of families without houses are
28,204 and out of this, 11,329 are even without house sites. Families
below the pove ty line will come to about 63,144 and out of them 5,023
belong to scheculed castes and 11,238, to scheduled tribes.

The errployment status of the people as per the 1991 census are
given below.

Categtry Males Females Total

Workers 1,68,680 58,773 2,27,453
Cultivators 36,063 4,666 40,729
Agri-labourers 47,906 26,907 74,813
Livestock, etc. ictivities 37,972 16,708 54,680
Mining and Quirrying 907 302 1,209
Manufacturing
(household indistries) 762 322 1,084
Manufacturing other than
hous'ehold induitries) 5,957 816 6,773
Constructions 3,528 331 3,859
Trade and Comnerce 15,801 763 16,564
Transport, etc. 5,551 118 5,669
Marginal worlcrs 13,377 19684 33,061
r ’armers 22,928
Small farmers 15,711
Marginal farme s 10,282
Rural artisans 4,841
Others 14,233 7,840 22,073
Non-workers 1,59,901 2,51,713 4,11,614

As per the latest figures, the number of uneducated-unemployed

persons in the district is 2,440. Though educated upto 10th standard,
33,558 persons are still jobless. The number of persons who are educated
above 10th standard, but still unemployed, u 32,803. The number of
skilled unemployed is 1,056 and unskilled unemployed, 787.

ADMINISTRATION

For the purpose of revenue administration, the district is divided

into three taluks, namely, Sulthan Bathery, VyJiiri and Mananthavady.
There are six firkas and 49 villages under thsse taluks. There is one
revenue division and that is Mananthavady. The details are given below.

Name of Taluk Name of Firka Name of Village

with Telephone No.
1. Sulthan Bathery 1. Bathery 1. Nermieni
620296 2. Ambalavayal
3. Sulthan Bathery
4. Kidanganad
5. Noolppuzha
6. Thomattuchal
7. Kuppadi
8. Cheenal

2. Pulpally 9. Purakkadi
10. Poothadi
11. Pulpally
12. Padichira
13. Irulam
14. Krishnagiri
15. Nadavayal
 Name o f Taluk Name o f Firka ' Name o f Village
with Telephone No.
2. Vythiri 3. Vythiri 1 6 Kunnathidayaka
655229 17. Achuranam
18., Thariyode
19. Kottathara
20. Kuppadithar^
21. Padinjarethara
11. Chundel
23. Vengappally
24. Kavumandam
25. Pozhuthana
4. Kalpetta 26. Kaniyampatta
27. Muttil North
28. Muttil South
29. Kottappadi
30. Kalpetta
31. Muppayinad
, .32. Vellinimala
33. Thrukkaipatta
3. Mananthavady 5. Mananthavady 34. Anchukunnu
540231 35. Purumiamioor
36. Nalloomad
37. Mananthavady
38. Thirunelli
39. Thrishileni
40. Payyampalli
41. Cherukattpor
42. Panamaram
6. Perya 43. Perya
44. Thondamad
45. Vellamunda
46. Thavinjal
47. Edava
48. Valad
49. Kanjirangad
 K alpetta is the headquarters of the Wayanad district
administration. The collectorate functions at the Civil Station here.

District Panchayat

The Wayanad district panchayat office functions at the Civil

Station at Kalpetta. There are three block panchayats and 24 grama
panchayats. Their details with telephone numbers are given below.

Block Telephone Grama Telephone

Panchayat No. Panchayat No.
1. Mananthavady 640298 1. Mananthavady 540253
2. Vellamunda 530325
3. Thirunelli 550453
4. Thondamad 535235
5. Edavaka 540366
6. Thavinjal 556236
7. Panamaram 520772

2. Sulthan Bathery 620202 8. Meenangadi 647236

9. Nenmeni 620310
10. Ambalavayal 640423
11. Poothadi 681522
12. Sulthan Bathery 620240
13. Noolpuzha 665635
14. Mullankolli 640273
15. Pulpally 640221

3. Kalpetta 602265 16. Kottathara 686644

17. Vengapally 602481
18. Vythiri 655223
19. Muttil 602418
20. Pozhuthana 655251
21. Thariyode 650435
22. Padinjarethara 693419
23. Meppadi 682422
24. Kaniyampatta 686693

20
 IMPORTANT TOWNS

Kalpetta

Kalpetta, the headquarters of Wayanad, is the only municipality

in the diistrict. It is 72 kms. north east of Kozhikode and is well connected
by roads to all important places like Mysore, Ooty, etc. A rest house and
various hotels are there, in this town.

Sulthan Bathery

Sulthan Bathery is one of the earliest settlements in Wayanad. It

is located 25 kms. north east of Kalpetta. The guest house of the
Department of Tourism and a motel Aram of the Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation are the places available for halt.

Mananthavady

Mananthavady, the revenue divisional and taluk headquarters, is

situated 32 kms. north east of Kalpetta. There is a forest bunglow here.
This town is connected by roads to Mysore via Bavali, Coorg via
Tho-lpetty, Thalassery via Periya and Kozhikode via Kalpetta.

V^ythiri

^'ythiri, the taluk headquarters, is an important place on the

Kozhikode-Mysore road. It is 11 kms. south of Kalpetta.

Meppadi

Meppadi, at a distance of 10 kms. east of Kalpetta, is an important

place on the Kozhikode-Ooty State highway.

AGRICULTURE

This high altitude district is characterised by the cultivation of

perennia. plantation crops and spices. The major plantation crops include
 coffee, tea, pepper,
cardam om and
rubber. Coffee based
farming system is a
notable feature oi
Wayanad. Coffee is
grown both as pure
crop and as a mixed
crop along with
pcj5pbf. P epper is
Cardamom - one of the major crop of the district. grown largely along
with coffee in the north eastern parts of the district, especially inPulpally
and Mullankolli areas. Coffee in Wayanad (66,999 ha,) shares 33.65 per
cent of the total cropped area in the district and 78 per cent of the coffee
area in the state.
Other major crops are rubber (63,015 ha.), coconut (59,452 ha.),
cardamom (38,348 ha.), tea (31,792 ha.) cassava and ginger. A recent
increase in the a!rea undef coconut cultivation is noticed in the lower
elevations.
Paddy is cultivated in 22^772 hectares of land. The rice fields of
Wayanad are in the valleys formed by hillocks and in majority of paddy
lands, only a single crop is harvested. Ginger cultivation in Wayanad has
also substantially increased in recent times and the ginger produced is
mainly marketed in the form of green ginger. Homestead farming assumes
importance in this? district. The average size of holdings are 0.68 ha. A
variety of crops including annuals and perennials are grown in these small
holdings. The crops include coconut, arecanut, pepper, vegetaj3les, tubet
crops, drumstick, papaya, etc. and fruit trees like mango and jack.
The crop pattems/qrpp combinations prevelant in this district are
not based on any scientific norms. Therefore scientific cropping patterns
suitable for the agro-ecological .si^uatign is,tp be recommended.

Marketing of Agricultural Produce

The marketing of coffee was fully regulated by the Coffee B oard
till 1992 and the entire coffee grown in the district had to be pooled to the
Board. But in the Coffee Policy of 1995-96, the Government exempted
small scale growers possessing land less than 10 hectares from the
obligation ofpooling. Those growers with more than 10 hectares of coffee
plantation were obliged to provide 60 per cent of their produces to the
Coffee Board. But Government of India recently announced the abolition
of the pooling system for coffee altogether from 14th September 1996 and
coffee growers are now free to market either in the domestic market or
export.

Pepper is marketed mainly as dried berries. The different agencies

engaged in the marketing of the produce are hill produce tnerchants,
marketing societies, commission agents and exporters. Being an export
oriented commodity, pepper prices show frequent fluctuations depending
on the international prices prevailing for the commodity from time to
lime. Ginger is mainly marketed as green ginger. Cardamom is sold at
auction centres. The traders are licensed by the Spices Board and they
participate in the different marketing centres for auction. Rubber is a
controlled commodity and is mainly rnarketed in the form of smoked
rubber sheets. A large number of private dealers as well as the primary
rubber marketing societies under the Rubber Marketing Federation,
operate at the village level for the purchase and sale of the commodity.

Wayanad has 25 agricultural units known as krishi bhavans.

Each unit is under the charge of an Agricultural Officer and 2 or 3
Agricultural Assistants. There is also a farm of the Tribal Development
Department known as Cheengeri Extension Scheme, Ambalavayal and
it is managed by the Agricultural Department The office of the Principal
Agricultural Officer is located at Kalpetta with six Deputy Directors, 2
Assistant Directors, 1 Technical Assistant and 1 Principal Agricultrual
Officer (Joint Director of Agriculture) who co-ordinates the schemes
executed in the district by the Department of Agriculture.

There are also three block level offices, each headed by one
Assistant Director of Agriculture to co-ordinate the schemes being
implemented in their respective blocks.
 IRRIGATION

There are no major irrigation projects in this district. The areas

now irrigated in Wayanad come under minor irrigation. Three projects
are in various stages of implementation. O f the three, Karapuzha
Irrigation Project, proposed on Kabani river, is expected to serve a gross
ayacut areaof9,300ha.B anasura Sagar Proj ect proposed to be constructed
across Choornipuzha, a tributary of Panamaram river, is also expected to
serve a gross ayacut area of 4,800 ha.

Karapuzha Project
Karapuzha Project is the first irrigation project taken up in
Wayanad district. This is purely an irrigation project.
Wayanad with an average elevation of 780m. above sea level,
lying on the eastern slope of Western Ghats, is inhabited by several hill
tribes and settlers from different parts of the state. Bulk of the population
is rural and is engaged in agricultural activities. With a view to irrigate
more and more area under paddy cultivation for overcoming the
deficiency in food grain production, the possibilties of implementing a
few irrigation projects had been investigated in Wayanad area, out of
which the Karapuzha project was found to be the most feasible and taken
up for execution during the 5th five year plan.
The project envisages the construction of an earthern dam, 28
metres high with its spillway at right flank and a canal system consisting
of right and left bank canals, to irrigate a total area of 5,221 hectares (net)
of land in 13 villages in the district.
The project was cleared by the Planning Commission for Rs. 760
lakhs based on 1976 SOR. The revised cost ofthe project is Rs. 125 crores.

A N IM A L H U SB A N D R Y

Animal husbandry has considerable scope for development in

this district. Though its potential has not been properly exploited, it is one
of the sectors capable of bringing about speedy economic and sacial
transformation in the rural areas. The predominance of forests and grass
lands is congenial for the development of cattle wealth. Commercial
poultry rearing as a subsidiary occupation has immense scope for
increasing the farm income of the mral people. The livestock in the
district, as per the livestock census of 1987, are given below.

Category Nos.
Buffaloes 24,651
Cattle 1,77,316
Ducks 2,659
Fowls 4,24,975
Goats 32,421
Pigs 4,642
Sheep 148

The district has sixteen veterinary dispensaries and 51 artificial

insemination centres.

Dairy

There are 49 milk co-operative societies in this district, out of

which 29 are functioning in the model of Anand. The production of milk
in Wayanad for 1993-94 is 18,520 tonnes. Poothadi produces maximum
milk. Then come Ambalavayal and Mullankolli. Pozhuthana produces
the least.

C O -O P E R A T IO N

The co-operative movement is giving a fillip to development in

the district. There are 324 co-operative institutions. There is a District Co­
operative Bank, a Co-operative Urban Bank, 27 service co-operative
banks and a Land Mortgage Bank. There is one farmers’ co-operative
bank at Mananthavady.

There are forty SC-ST co-operative societies and 38 agricultural

marketing societies. There are eight co-operative housing societies, three
co-operative collective farms, 39 labour contract societies and nineteen
consumer stores. Twenty employees' co-operative societies and 73 school/
college stores are there in the district. There are also 19 consumer stores,
nine poultry farming co-operative societies, three co-operative hospitals,
four co-operative colleges, nine women co-operative societies and a
service co-operative society for the physically handicaped.

Mananthavady Tribal Plantations Co-operative Ltd (Priyadarsini

Tea Estate), which is engaged in tea production and marketing. South
Wayanad Joint Farming Co-operative Society (Sugandhagiri Cardamom
Project) which is concentrated in cardamom production and distribution
and Wayanad Coffee Marketing Co-operative Society (coffee marketing)
are the three successful institutions in the co-operative sector.

E D U C A T IO N

There are at present 266 schools (126 lower primary, 77 upper

primary and 53 high schools) in Wayanad district. Five vocational higher
secondary schools, two higher secondary schools and three teacher
training institutes are there under the Department of Education. There are
a residential upper primary school for scheduled castes at Muthanga and
a residential high school at Nallurnad. Out of 1,38,339 students studying
in these schools, 69, 944 are boys and 68,395 are girls. There are 7,686
scheduled caste and 22,447 scheduled tribe students .

In Wayanad 2,591 people share a school against the state

average of 2,381 people per school and this district has one school for
every 8.075 kms. against the state average of one school per 3.2 kms. The
average number of students in this district per school is 532 against the
state average of around 481.

Wayanad is a single education district with one Deputy Director,

one District Educational Officer and three Assistant Educational Officers.
It has also a District Institute of Education and Training, located at
Sulthan Bathery.
 In order to improve the quality of education, the district has been
brought under the special scheiie of District Primaiy Education Project,
funded by the World Bank.

Post School Education

Out of the six collegesin the district, only one has the status of a
first grade college with post griduate courses and science subjects. The
proposed graduate programm? in Tourism at Pazhassi Raja college,
Pulpally, is the only one of its kind in the state.
The only polytechnic is at Meenangadi. The Ambalavayal
Research Centre is a notable institution under the Kerala Agricultural
University, The B.Ed Centre atlCaniampatta is also a feather in the cap of
the educational sector of this district.

Tribal Education
1 he education of tribals is still a big problem. In spite of a lot of
efforts, they have not yet been brought to the main stream. Many are
admitted to schools, but they do not remain. The only consolation is the
two schools - Rajiv Gandhi Residential School at Muthanga and Dr.
Ambedkar Residential school at Nallurnad, near Mananthavady - set
apart for the education of tribal children. Both these have better facilities
and are well run.

Educational Institutions

Govt. Private Total

Categoiy
Aided Unaided
1. LP Schools 68 52 6 126
2. UP Schools 36 39 2 77
3. High Schools 30 20 2 52
4. Higher Secondar>^ School 1 1 - 2
5. Vocational
Higher Secondary Schools 4 1 5
 6. ITI 1 - - 1
7. Polytechnic 1 - - 1
8. Technical High Schools 2 - - 2
9. Colleges 2 4 - 6
10. B.Ed. Centre 1 - - 1
11. TTl 2 1 - 3
12. DIET 1 - - 1
13. Anganvadis 495 - - 495

Literacy

The literacy rate in Wayanad is 70.61 per cent as per 1991 census
and was only 57.33 in 1981. Thus there is an appreciable growth in the
literacy rate in a decade. This is still below the state average of 89.81 per
cent. Among the panchayats and municipality, MuIIankolli has the
highest rate of 77.11 followed by Vythiri, 75.71 per cent and Edavaka,
73.7 per cent.

Literates (as p e r the 1991 census)

SI. Name of Males Females Total %

No. Panchayats
1. Meppadi 21,190 18,442 39,632 70.11
2. Vythiri 5,783 5,164 10,947 75.71
3. Pozhuthana 5,951 5,225 11,176 68.86
4. Kottathara 5,507 4,720 10,227 70.56
5. Thariyode 3,940 3,471 7,411 72.40
6. Padinjarethara 8,096 6,786 14,882 69.55
7. Vengappally 3,346 2,990 6,336 69.52
8. Muttil 10,313 8,879 19,192 71.70
9. Kaniampatta 9,224 7,808 17,032 69.75
10. Ambalavayal 11,750 10,526 22,276 73.18
11. Noolpuzha 7,904 6,453 14,357 62.01
12. Sulthan Bathery 13,534 11,562 25,096 71.63
13. Meenangadi 11,411 9,438 20,849 72.97

28
14. Poothadi 14,315 12,510 26,825 73.40
15. Pulpally 12,060 9,592 21,652 72.09
16. Nenmeni 14,028 12,701 26,729 72.15
17. Mullankolli 12,343 9,919 22,262 77.11
18. Panamaram 13,278 10,869 24,147 65.59
19. Vellamunda 11,315 9,279 20,594 67.53
20. Edavaka 9,684 8,554 18,238 73.70
21. Mananthavady 14,483 13,334 27,817 73.52
22. Thirunelli 7,512 6,134 13,646 58.00
23. Thavinjal 12,218 10,692 22,910 69.90
24. Thondamad 7,488 6,344 13,832 70.43
25. Kalpetta (M) 9,006 7,541 16,547 72.10
Total 2,55,679 2,18,933 4,74,612 70.61

EMPLOYMENT

The Wayanad district employmentexchange flmctions at Kalpetta.

Two town employment exchanges also are functioning at Manaathavady
and Sulthan Bathery. A mobile employment exchange functions under
the Integrated Tribal Development Project, specially for the scheduled
tribes. District employment exchange has a unit for career guidance and
another for self employment schemes. 61,861 job seekers have registered
upto March ’96. Out of this, 30,197 are women, 3,163 are scheduled
castes, 5,447 are scheduled tribes and 426 are physically handicapped.

HEALTH

Wayanad district administration is aware of the varied health

problems of the people, especially ofadivasis. With the supportof various
governmental agencies, including tribal and health departments, a health
action plan has already been implemented. As a result, the Wayanad
Health Project, situated at Nallumad with a speciality hospital, has been
providing facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of major tribal
diseases. In addition, a district hospital and aT.B. centre at Mananthavady
are also giving special attention to the patients suffering from tuberculosis.
As per the proposal of ‘KIRTADS’, the state Government have started a
centre for tribal medicine at the hamlet of Valat.

Sickle cell anaemia, a genetic illness, is generally found among

some tribal communities like the Kuruma, Paniya and Wayanadan
Chetty. Cases of tuberculosis affected tribals are also being reported from
some parts of the district. Anaemia and Vitamin-A deficiencies are
common among tribal children who are malnourished.

Absence of sanitary latrines, non-availability of good drinking

water, ill ventilated andcrowdedhouses, ignorance about modemmedicine
and methods of treatment are some of the problems responsible fox
deteriorating their health.

The details of medical facilities in the district are as below .

Institutions Govt. Pvt. Total

Allopathy
1. Hospitals 4 60 64
2. Primary Health Centres 29 29
3. T.B. Centre 1 - 1
Avurveda QSM)
1. Hospitals 2 2
2- Dispensaries 18 18
Homoeopathy
1. Hospital 1 - 1
2. Dispensaries 12 - 12

On the average, there is one doctor for every 6,055 people in the
district.

INDUSTRY

The important industrial ventures in the district are the coffee and
tea processing units in the big estates. Mananthavady has the maximura
number of small scale industries. Category-wise distribution of small
scale industries shows that there are 349 food products manufacturing
units, 107 chemical
units, 10 leather
based units, 5 hosiery
units and 1,310 other
type o f units.
Thavinjal does not
have any small scale
unit.

There are 41
industrial co­ A tea processing unit.
operative societies.
Poothadi has the maximum number and three panchayats do not have any
industrial co-operative societies at all. Under private sector, a mechanical
watch assembling unit started at Kalpetta is running profitably. Other
important industrial units started recently and proved to be viable are one
soap unit having an investment of Rs.59 lakhs at Sulthan Bathery, a
biscuit unit at Ambalavayal, a diamond cutting unit at Kamblakkad
(providing employment to more than 100 labourers), a dozen cement
hollow brick units, two offset presses, one plastic waste recycling unit at
Ambalavayal, one barbed wire unit at Kolagappara and one hawai sheet
manufacturing unit at Meppady. Two medium scale industrial units have
started commercial production of brassier hooks at Sulthan Bathery by
using imported machinery worth Rs.3 crores with financial assistance of
Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation. A porcelani unit at
Meenangadi is nearing completion and is expected to be commissioned
within six months.

TRANSPORT

Railway facility is not available at Wayanad. The nearest railway

station is at Kozhikode, about 70 kms. from Kalpetta. The only mode of
transport of goods and commuters within the district is roadways. Bus
services are available in all panchayals. Though there is no national
highway touching Wayanad, the district has a network of roads. There is
a state highway, Kozhikode-Vythiri-Gudalur, passing through Wayanad.
The Kozhikode-Mysore frontier road and Thalassery-Bavali road are two
important district roads.

SOME IMPORTANT INSTIl UTIONS

Ambedkar Memorial Rural Institute for Developmen t (AMR ID)

Ambedkar Memorial Rural Institute for IkYelopm eiU is a

charitable organisation meant for the educational and employment
opportunities of students of Wayanad district, especially of scheduled
castes and scheduled tribes. This institute started functioning in July",
1990 in the old Civil Station building at Puliyarmala, Kalpetta, in the
centenary year of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. AMRID has got a variety of
activities aiming at achieving its social and educational objectives.

An extent of 0.20 acre of land in Muttil village by the side of

Kalpetta-Sulthan Bathery road, was purchased for the construction o f a
building to AMRID. The construction of the building could not be
completed so far, for want of fiinds. The Nirmithi Kendra, Wayanad, has
already prepared an estimate and started the construction work of the
building.

Activities

1. Printing Press (training and job works).

2. Handicraft work in coffee stump (training and sales).
3. Typewriting Institute.
4. Tailoring Institute.
5. Training in 3 wheeler driving.
6. Plastic welding unit.
7. Wood carving unit.
8. Handicraft making in coconut shell.
9. Handloom weaving.
 The activities are implemented with the funds allotted by the
Tribal Development Department, District Industries Centre, etc. under
various schemes and also with the limited income of various units o f the
institute.

A total number of 1,403 students had been imparted coaching in

various courses from 1990-91 to 1995-96.

COFFEE BOARD

Coffee Board operates in this district under three wings.

Research Wing
A Robusta Coffee Research Station is functioning under this, at
Chundale.

Extension wing
There are a Joint Director’s office and a Deputy Director’s office
functioning at Kalpetta and eight liaison offices functioning at various
centres in Wayanad under this wing.

M arketing Wing
Marketing section of Coffee Board functions in Wayanad under
an Assistant Marketing Officer at Kalpetta.

Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal

A Regional Agricultural Research Station functions at

Ambalavayal as a part of Kerala Agricultural University. This station
caters to the research needs of the agricultural sector of the high ranges.

The station mainly concentrates on the research on spices, tropical

and subtropical fruits, vegetables, especially cool season vegetables and
hill paddy.
 A Krishi Vijnan Kendra, with the objective of dissemination of
latest technologies to the farmers, is also attached to this station. Recently,
a Plant B io ­
technology C entre
started functioning
here for the large
scale production of
tissue culture plants
of high value crops.

The nursery of
the station has a large
The Regional Agriciilliiral Research Station of the Kerala collection of roses
Agricultural University, functioning at Ambalavayal. and other ornamental
plants. The station produces and distributes quality seeds and good
planting materials to the farmers.

Spices Board
The Spices Board has a field office at Kalpetta. The main
functions of the Spices Board are the formulation and implementation
of better production and quality improvement programmes, systematic
research and development, educating and training growers, processors,
packers and exporters, selective registration and licensing. It also acts as
a data bank and communication channel for importers and exporters of
Indian spices.

The Board helps exporters in establishing contact with overseas

buyers of spices. The Board also forwards trade enquiries received
from abroad to competent registered Indian exporters and helps the
international buyer procure the right quality spices from India. The Board
examines complaints receivedfrom importers for corrective andpreventive
action.

Sugandhagiri Cardamom Project

This project is functioning under the South Wayanad Girijan

 oint Farming Co­
operative Society. It
as been
implemented by the
<^erala Government
with the sanction of
he Planning
Commission as a part
of the Western Ghat
Development
Scheme. Now the Sugandhugiri Cartluiiioiii Project - iiitplcmenteci as a part
of the Western Ghn\ dewlopmmi scheme.
ja d m in is tra tiv e
Control of the project is vested with Scheduled Tribe Development
iDepartment. It is located at the Pozhuthana village of Vythiri taluk. Seven
hundred and fifty families were settled in this project area for the co­
operative joint farming of cardamom, coffee and pepper. This co-operative
institution aims at the socio-economic advancement of the tribal people.
Irhe project was started in 1976. Till now 1000 ha. has been brought under
jjardamom cultivation.

Adivasis are rehabilitated in their own houses built for them by

the Government. Seven anganwadies, seven creches, three primai;y
5chools, one primary health centre and one family welfare centre are
jfunctioning in this project area, for the benefit of the rehabilitated tribal
families.

MASS MEDIA

No major newspaper is being published from Wayanad. But

important dailies like Mathriibhoomi, Malayala Manorama, Kerala
kaimudi, Deepika, Desabhimani, Madhyamam, Mangalam, Chandrika,
Jarimabhoomi, Veekshanam, etc. have their bureaus and correspondents
ft the headquarters.

A Doordarshan relay centre is functioning at Kalpetta and there

ire 36 cinema theatres in the district. t - "
M h i-n - ,
JOC, No...........
 ART

The major tribal arts performed in the district are Vattakali and
Koodiyattam using thudi and kuzhal by Paniyas, Gadhika by Adiyas,
Kolkkali hy Kurumas and Nellukiithu pattu by Kurichias.

CENTRES OF WORSHIP
Ananthanatha Swami Temple at Puliyarmala
A beautiful Jain temple, devoted to Ananthanatha Swami, one of
the saints of the Jaina faith^ is located six kilometres from Kalpetta.

The Glass Temple of Koottamunda

Located on the slope of Vellarimala, this temple, dedicated to
Parswanatha Swami, the third Thirthankara of the Jain faith, is an
exquisitely beautiful family temple. The icons of Parswanatha Swami
and Padmavathi devi, set in the' sanctum of this temple, have thousand
reflections in beautiful patterns on the mirrors placed on the inner side of
the temple walls. It is twenty kilometres from Kalpetta.

Maha Ganapathi Temple at Sulthan Batliery

This temple is believed to have been built eight centuries ago. In
the past, it was under the control of the Kottayam royal dynasty. Beft)re
the conquest by Tipu Sulthan, Sultan Bathery was known as
Ganapathivattam. The temple is devoted to Ganapathi.

Ponkili Temple
This is an ancient temple associated with the myth of Sita devi.|
It is located on the Karnataka border.

Santhinatha Temple at Venniyod

This is another Jain temple devoted to saint Santhinatha Sw'ami!
and is situated 20 kilometres away from Kalpetta.
 The C handranatha Swami Tem ple at Puthanangadi,
Vi ishabhadeva Swami Temple at Mananthavady and Parswanatha Swami
Temple at Palkunnu are the other important Jain temples in the district.

Sita Devi Temple at Piilpally

This is another centuries old temple, dedicated to Sita devi. The
incons of Leva and Kusa are also installed here.

Thirunelli temple

Located m a
valley baneath a hill
called Brahmagiri in
the reserve forest, this
tem p le is often
referred to as the
‘Kasi of the south’.
The tem ple is
dedicated by Brahma
to Vishnu in the form Thirunelli Temple - "The Kasi oj the South".
of Chatturbhuja. A
little away from this temple is the mountain spring called Papanasini
wliich literally means the destroyer of all sins. It is believed that a dip in
the holy water of papanasini will wipe off all sins. Pakshipathalam, an
interesting trekking centre, is seven kilometers away from this temple.

Puthari, Chuttuvilakku, Navarathri, Sivarathri and Sreekrishna

Jayanthi are the festivals conducted in this temple. The location of this
temple has an enchanting natural beauty. Thirunelli is 66 kilometers away
from Kalpetta.

Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple

This tem.ple is located about three kms. east of Mananthavady
town. It is devoted to godess Durga. Every year, a festival that lasts for 10
days, is celebrated in March-April. Adivasis from all over the district
attend this festival.
 T he M a id a n i
Mosque
T his is an|
im portant mosque|
located at Kalpetta.

Varampattai
Mosque
This importanti
ftlosque is located at|
Padinjarethara.

Church at Sulthan Bathery

This is an important church of the Jacobite Christians.

Lourd Church at Pallikkunnu

This is a Roman Catholic church.

St. Peter's Church at Meenangadi

This is an important church of Jacobite Syrian Christians.

Important Festivals

The following is a table of major festivals and the dates in which

they are celebrated.

1. Seethadevi Temple, Pulpally - January 1st week.

2. Nadavayal St. Thomas Church - January 1st week.
3. Pallikunnu Church - Febmary 2nd week.
4. Varampatta Mosque - March 1st week.
5. Valliyoorkavu Temple - March - 14-28.
6. Maidani Mosque, Kalpetta - March - April.
7. Thirunelli - Karkidaka Va\oi - August.
 PLACES OF TOURIST IMPORTANCE

Banasura Sagar Dam

This is the largest earth dam in India. The topography here is such
that many islands will be formed in the upstream of the dam when the dam
is full. These islands with the background of the Banasura hill wi 11provide
a hypnotising sight to tourists.

Cliembra Peak

The
rocks and valleys
which contribute to
th e very unique
c h a ra c te r of
Wayanad provide a
lot for adventure
tourism. Trekking to
the Chembra peak is ‘ ' " ‘kkers'para,Use.
a risky mountaineering endeavour. Chembra peak, the highest hill in
Wayanad, is near Meppady town. Trekking to the top of this peak takes
almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak
in temporary camps. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides,
sleeping bags, canvases, huts and trekking implements on hire. The scenic
beauty o f Wayanad, which is visible from the top of Chambra, is very
exhilerating.

Edakkal Cave

T h i s
location of breath­
taking beauty is three
k ilo m e tre s from
Arabalavayal which
is 25 kilometres from
Kalpetta. Edakkal Cave - a marvel o f nature.
 The Edakkal
cave in the Ambu-
kuthy mountain, is
not a cave in tlie real
sense. As statedin the
India A n tiq u ary
(V ol.X X X , p ag e-
410) and quoted in
the D istric t
Cannings oj a prehistoric age, on the interior o f the G azetteer, K ozhi
Edakkal Cave. kQde,itisonly‘a c k il
about 96 ft. long and
22 ft wide in the rock’. It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off
from the main body due to some natural causes. The depth of both the cleft
and the fissure is 30 ft. What makes it a cave to the ordinary observer is
the fact that in the other portion of the large cleft, an enormous rock,
w^eighing several tonnes, has fallen forming a roof'over a large part o f it.
The rock wall contains some interesting carvings, which represent
human aad animal figures and objects of human use and symbols. These
carvings speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic age and inspi res
the archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and
Kerala as a v/hole.

Kuruva Island
The K u ru v a
island, 950 acres of
ever green forest on
the tributaries o f east
flowing river Kabani,
is an ideal picnic spot,
far away from the
disturbances o f city
life. The island is
Kuruva Island - a treasure trove oj rare Jauna and flora. uninhabited. Rare
species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal
kingdom. It is 17 kms. east of Mananthavady and 40 kms. north west of
Sulthan Bathery.

Lakkidi
One of the highest locations in
Wayanad, I.akkidi also commands a
picturesque scenery. It is about 58 kms.
north east of Kozhikode and five kms.
south o f Vythiri. Lakkidi, the gate way of
Wayanad, lies atop Thamarassery, a ghat
pass at an elevation of 700 m. above
mean sea level.

The lofty mountain peaks, the

gurging stream, luxuriant vegetation and
the bird’s eye view of the deep valley on
the south, with its winding roads, are
breath taking. The 12 kms. long journey
from Adivaram to Lakkidi through ghat Chain tree at Lakkidi, the guleway to
H'ayanad - popular myth has it that
road with nine hairpin bends amidst thick the wanton spirit o f a nahve tribal
forests, is a fascinating experience. has been harnessed to this tree by
a powerful magician.
IMuthanga Wild Life Sanctuary
Muthanga, which is 16 kms. east of Sulthan Bathery, is located
very near to the Karnataka border. Wild forests covering an area of 345
sq. km s. form the Muthanga wild life sanctuary; the biggest abode of wild
animals in Malabar. Elephant, spotted deer, bison, tiger, cheeta, wild bear,
etc. are found in this sanctuary. The Forest Department has facilities for
providing elephant rides to tourists, here.

Pakshipathaiam

Pakshipathalam in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, is a

challenging tourist spot for any adventure seeking tourist. To reach
Pakshipathalam seventeen kilometres have to be covered through wild
forest. The deep rock caves, formed among the thick blocks of rocks at ithe
northern top end of the Brahmagiri, are the abode of various birds and
wild beasts. Special permission has to be obtained from Forest Department
to go to Pakshipathalam. District Tourism Promotion Council arranges
vehicle, guides, camping equipments, etc. to the tourists, on hire.

Pazhassi Tourist
Resort
P a z h a s si
T ourist Resort at
Mananthavady i.s a
good picnic centDe in
north W ayanad.
There is a good
aquarium here. Coin­
The tomb o f l ’azhassi Raja.
operated toys for
children and boating facilities for tourists are available here. Pazhassi
Raja, the Lion of Kerala, who organised guerilla type warfare against
British East India Company, was cremated here in 1805.

Pookot Lake
It is a natural
fresh w ater lake,
brimmed with ever
green mountains. The
w eather here is
salacious; the scenic
beauty, hypnotising
and the nature,
Pookot Lake - a naturalfresh water lake, rimmid with
unspoiled. Pookot ever green mountains.
lake tourist resort in
Vythiri is the most sought after tourist spot of Wayanad. There i.s an
aquarium and a green house here. Boating facilities also are available.
Spices and handicraft items are also arranged for sale at Pookot. The laki
has an area of 8.5 ha. and the maximum water depth is 6.5 mtrs. This lake
is three kms. south of Vythiri.

Sentinel Rock Waterfall

This waterfall is at Vellarimala village near Chooralmala in

Meppadi panchayat. It is a picnic spot as well as a trekking centre. The
sentinel rock, a rock of more than 200 m. m height, is ideal for rock
climbing.

Souchippara
Waterfall

The w ater­
falls at Soochippara
near M eppadi is
really a treasure of
nature, yet to be
discovered. The
stretches o f water­
falls ranging at places
The Kunthanpara mtterfalls - Wayamul district has many
from 100 to 300 feet grand waterfalls and Kanthipara falls is one of them.
height is a treat to the
eyes. The pool below, provides for water rafting, swimming, bathing, etc.
The tree top huts at Soochippara give an unique view of the valleys of the
Western Ghats and the glimmering shallow waters o f the surrounding
springs.

Thirunelli Temple

Thimnelli is situated 29 kms. north east of Mananthavady under

the Brahmagiri hills in the reserve forests. The temple at Thirunelli is
often called ‘Thekkan Kasi’. It is believed theit a bath in the holy water of
‘Papanasini’ will wipe off all the sins. Apart from the temple, Thimnelli
is a place of scenic beauty. Pakshipathalam, an interesting trekking centre,
is 7 kms. away from the temple.
Important Tourist Centres
Places Distancefrom
Kalpetta
Ambalavayal Farm 25 kms.
Banasura sagar Dam 21 kms.
Banasura sager Hills 29 kms.
Boys town 45 kms.
Begur wild life sanctuary 52 kms.
Chain tree 15 kms.
Cheengeri hills 23 kms.
Cheeyambam waterfalls 37 kms.
Chembra peak 15 kms.
Edakkal cave 27 kms.
Jain temple (Sulthan Bathery) 24 kms.
Kanthanpara waterfalls 18 kms.
Kappikalam waterfalls 24 kms.
Karapuzha dam site 16 kms.
Karlad chira 15 kms.
Kuruva island 35 kms.
Mananthavady Pazhassi Tomb 34 kms.
Meenmutti waterfalls 29 kms.
Meenangadi Church and Temple 13 kms.
Muthangadi 23 kms.
Muthanga wild life sanctuary 39 kms.
Pallikunnu church 14 kms.
Pakshipathalam 72 kms.
Pazhassi Tourist Resort 33 kms.
Papanasini 66 kms.
Ponkuzhi 41 kms.
Pookot lake 13 kms.
Puliyarmala 3 kms.
Pulpally Sitadevi temple 34 kms.
Soochippara waterfalls 22 kms.
Tholpetty wild life sanctuary 52 kms.
Thirunelli temple 65 kms.
 Trikaipatta temple 11 kms.
Varampatta mosque 22 kms.
Velliyoorkavu temple 31 kms.

Distance to Major Tourist Centres in South India From Kalpetta

Bangalore 282 kms.
Udagamandalam (Ooty) 115 kms.
Mysore 142 kms.
Coorg 80 kms.
Kochi 282 kms.
Th jru vananthapuram 497 kms.
Where to Stay
At Kalpetta
Phone
PWD Rest House 602241
Hotel Harithagiri 602073
PSS Tourist Home 603431
Hotel MGT International 60264
Woodlands Tourist Home 602547
At Sulthan Bathery
Govt Guest House 20225
PWD Rest House
Motel Aram (KTDC)
Hotel Dwaraka 21397
The Resorts 20512
At Pulpally
Kabani Resorts 40529
Hotel Pealmount ^ 40397
At Mananthavady
PWD Rest House 40230
Hotel Manasasaras 40236
At Meenangadi
Hotel Vanarani 47572

For more details, contact:

District Tourism Promotion Council, Kalpetta, North Wayanad.
Phone 0493 -602134,602712

SOME IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

President (District Panchayat) 647268

Secretary " 602490
Kalpetta Municipality 602349
District Collector, Office 602230
" Residence 602300
District Police Superintendent 602525
District Information Officer 602529
District Planning Officer 602626
District Supply Officer 602273
District Tourism Promotion Council 602134
II
602714
DPEP Office 603338
P.S.C. District Office 603202
SC/ST Development Corporation 602869
District Employment Office 602534
District Education Officer 602264
KSRTC 602611
District Informatic Centre 602763
Field Publicity Office 602263
Govt. Hospital, Kalpetta 602037
Govt. Ayurvedic Hospital 604053
Nearest Airport - Kozhikode 0495 -766050
Nearest Railway Station - Kozhikode 703822
 BARE FACTS

Area (sq. kms.) : 2131

Population (in OOO’s) : 672
Percentage to state population ; 2.31
Males (in OOO’s) : 342
Females (in OOO’s) : 330
Sex ratio : females/1000 males : 966
Density of population : 315
Per capita Income (1992-93) : Rs.5707
No. of households : 135
Average size of family : 4.99
(Population Statistics - 1991 Census)
Projected population as on 1st March
Year : 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Population (in OOO’s) : 709 719 728 738 748 758
(Source : Dept, o f Economics Statistics)

Average monthly rainfall -1991 (m.m.)

Month JanFeb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Rainfall 0 11 12 109 125 796 1036 407 53 179 65 0 2792

Gross area under irrigation (cropwise) 1990-91

Crops Paddy Tubers Vege- Coconut Areca- Cloves &
tables nut Nutmeg
Area 4,148 2 68 38 4
(in hects)
Crops Other Spices Banana Betal Sugar- Others Total
& Condiments leaves cane
Area - 32 - - 139 4431
(in hects)
Live Stock Population (1987)
Cattle Buffaloes Goats Sheeps Pigs Others
1,22,303 20,681 32,421 148 4,642 44
Total Livestock: 1,80,641 Total poultry : 4,28,087
 No. of registered working factories (1992) - 123
No. of SSI Units as on 31.3.93 1363
Distribution of PWD Roads (in kms.) as on 1.4 93
State Major Dist. Other Dist. Village Total
Highways Roads Roads Roads
40.07 327.63 148.46 120.52 636.68

Schools (1992-93)
Section No.of scliools No. of Students No. ofteachevs
LPS 125 64,484 1,557
UPS 76 47,703 1,392
HS 59 35,440 1,094
Total 260 1,47,627 4,043

Arts & Science Colleges

Govt. 2 951 31
Private 2 2,491 9>6
Total 4 3,442 127

Medical Institutions
Allopathy Ayurveda Homeopathy
No. o f Medical
Institutions 43 20 13
N o.of Beds 590 100 25

NIEPA DC

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 W AYAN AD D IS TR IC T
COORG H
SHOWIIMG PANCHAYATS
KARNATAKA
SCALE 1 Cms2.5 Km

KANNUR

MYSORE
KARNATAKA

Mysori

KOZHIKODE

NILGIRI
TA M IL NADU LIS T OF P A N C H A Y A TS

MANANTHAVADV TALUK 6 VENGAPALLY

7. KALPETTA Q M M ClfAIjn!)

1.THIRUNELLI 8.M U TTIL

MALAPPURAM
2. MANANTHAVADY 9. MEPPADY
REFERENCE /
3. THAVINJAL 10. VYTHIRI
S ta t* B o u n d a ry /
4. THONDARNAD

5. EDAVAKA SULTHAN BATHERV TALUK

D it t r i c t B o u n d a ry

6. VELLAMUNDA
T a lu k B o u n d a ry
7. PANAMARAM 1. M ULLANKOLU

P a n ch a v a t B o u n d a ry 2. P.ULPALLY

VYTHIRI TALUK 3. POOTHADY

S ta ta H ig h w a y
4 MEENANGADY

O th e r R o a d t
1. KANIYAMPATTA 5. AMBALAVAYAL

Lake & Rivar* 2. KOTTATHARA 6. NENMENl

J. PADINJARETHARA 7. SULTAN BATHERY

O ic t r ic t H « a d q u « r t * r s
4. THARIYODE 8. NOOLPUZHA

T a iu k K a ad q uarta ra 5 POZHUTHANA