Wayanad

             Wayanad is located about 75 km. from Calicut, the city of Zamorins. It is a world of its own, where scenic beauty and wild life are the main attraction. Wayanad, which is prominent in the tourist map of Kerala, is the main route connecting Calicut with the other south Indian tourist attractions Mysore, Ootty and Banglore. This district situated in an elevated mountainous plateau on the crust of western ghats at the height between 700 and 2000 metres above sea level. The district is surrounded by the Nilgiri district of Tamilnadu and Mysore district of Karnataka on the East, Kodagu district of the Karnataka on the North, Malappuram district on the South and Kozhikode and Kannur district on the west. This land is rich in natural wonders with a vast area of greenery, spice scented breeze, mist capped mountains, salubrious climate and hypnotising scenic beauty Wayanad stands its head high as one of the loveliest hill station of Kerala.

Brief History of the District

             The name Wayanad is derived from the expression “ Vayal Nadu” which means land of paddy fields. In ancient times the land was ruled by the Vedar Rajas. Later Wayanad came under the rule of Pazhassi Rajah of Kottayam Royal Dynasty. The modern history of the district is associated with the events that took place during the Mysorean invasion and the long spell of the British rule stretching over a period of about two centuries. There was fierce encounter between the British and Pazhassi Rajah.

             When the state of Kerala came into being in 1956, Wayanad was apart of Cannannore district later in 1957; south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district and north Wayanad remained with cannannore district. By amalgamating the north Wayanad and south Wayanad, the present Wayanad district came into being on the 1st November 1980 comprising of three taluks viz. Vythiry, Mananthvady and Sulthan Bathery.

Area and Population

             The district has an area of 2131 sq.kms with a total population 786627 as per 2001 census (provisional figures). One important characteristic feature of this district is the large Adivasi population, consisting mainly of Paniyas, Adiyas, Kattunayakan and Kurichiyans. Wayanad district stands first in the case of Adivasi Population (about 36%) among other districts in the state. Scheduled population comes only 1% of the state population ST population comes to 17% of the state population.

Topography

             Wayanad district stands on the southern top of the Deccan plateau and its chief glory is the majestic Western ghats with lofty ridges interspersed with dense forest, tangled jungles and deep valleys, the terrain is rugged.

Mountains
             Chembra peak (2345m) Vellarmala (245m) Bansuramala (2061m) Elembileri mala (1839m) Bhrammagirimala (1608m) Kunnelipadimala (1607m) Thariodemala (1553m) etc. are some important mountains in the district.

Rivers
             Kabani River one of the three east flowing rivers of Kerala is an important tributary of Cavery. Almost the entire Wayanad district is drained by Kabani and its three tributes viz. Panamaram, Mananthavady, Thirunelly river. In this regard the two names Kalladi and Venniyode River is to be remembered.

Climate
             The distance from the mean sea level and surrounding forest creates a salubrious climate. Generally the year is divided into four seasons viz. Cold weather (December to February) hot weather (March to May) South West Monsoons (June to September) and North East Monsoon (October to November). During the hot weather the temperature goes upto the maximum of 35o C and during the cold weather the temperature goes down to 15o C. The average rain fall is 250 cm per year.

Forest
Wayanad is a land of forest, which account for 38% of the total area of the district.

Agriculture
             The Principal crops of the district are tea, coffee, paddy and pepper. The other important cash crops are rubber, cardamom, ginger, turmeric and arecanut. Agriculture is the principal occupation of the people. The back bone of the economy of this district is plantation crops – Tea, Coffee, Pepper, Rubber etc. This sector contributes major contribution to the state income. In addition to these crops Banana and coconut are cultivated abundantly in different parts of the district. At present paddy growing area is remarkably decreasing.

Irrigation
             Wayanad is mainly drained by Kabani river and its tributaries. A major hydro – electric project contemplated in its river basin is the Mananthavady hydro – electric project. Bhanasua Sagar hydro – electric project is another important hydro – electric project in this district. A major irrigation project in this district is Karapuzha Irrigation project.

Industry
             Wayanad is backward in the case of Industries. There is no such major Industrial units except factories processing tea, timber mills and rice mills.

Education
             Though there are two Govt. Colleges and four Private Colleges, the Higher Education facilities is limited in this district. Compared to other districts of Kerala, for primary education small children have to travel a long distance in order to get their education.

Health
In case of health care Wayanad is backward. On the average there is only one doctor for 6100 people.
Electricity

Compared to other districts wayanad is backward in consumption of electricity because people are economically backward.

Transport and Communication

             Railway facility is not available in this district. The nearest railway station is at 75 kms from Kalpetta. Bus connection and telephone facilities are available at all panchayaths.

Important Roads
1.N.H 212 Kozhikode to Mysore
2.S.H 39 Chundale to Gudalloor
3.Other important roads
Sulthan Bathery to Mananthavady (via Panamaram)
Vythiry to Mananthavady (via Padinharathara)
Kainatty to Panamaram
Mananthavady to Mysore
Mananthavady to Thalassery
Sulthan Bathery to Gudalloor (via Chulliode)
Mananthavady to Kuttiyadi
Sulthan Bathery to Vaduvanchal
Important Towns
Kalpetta (District Head quarters), Sulthan Bathery, Mananthavady, Pulpally, Meenangady, Panamaram, Kenichira, Ambalavayal, Meppady, Vythiry, etc. are some of the growing towns in this district.
Tourist Centres
The important tourist centres are
a. Pookot Lake: It has an area of 8.5 hecters with water depth of 6.5 meters. This lake is situated 3km south of Vythiry.
b. Kuruva island: Kuruva island comprises of 950 acres of ever green forest. It is situated 17 kms east of Mananthavady.
c. Thirunelly Temple: This is one of the most important pilgrim centre of Kerala, which is situated at 29 kms north east of Mananthavady. This temple is often called Thekkan Kasi. It is believed that a bath in the holy water of Papanasiny will wipe out all sins.
d. Edakkal Cave: This is about 12 kms south of Sulthan bathery. The rock wall of the cave contains ancient writings and carvings.
e. Wild Life Sanctuaries: There are three wild life sanctuaries in the district viz. Muthanga, Tholpetty (Beguri), Muthanga is 16 kms east of Sulthan Bathery and Tholpetty is 15 kms north of Mananthavady.
f. Water falls: Sujipara, Kanthanpara and Meenmutty are the three important water falls in this districts. These three are about 15 kms from Meppady.
g. Pazhassi Tomb: It is situated near Mananthavady town. Pazhassi Rajah the Lion of Kerala who organised the Guerrilla pattern of fighting against East India Company was cremated here in 1805.
h. Lakkidi: It is about 58 kms North east of Calicut and 5 kms South of Vythiri. Lakkidi is the gate way of Wayanad.
i. Mananthavady Park: This park was developed by the Social Welfare Department near Mananthavady town at the side of Mananthavady river.
j. Banasura Sagar Dam: Amini hydral project with the largest earth dam in India and second biggest in Asia is situated near Padinharathara, 20 kms north west of Kalpetta.
k. Trekking Centres: The two prominent trekking centres in this district are Chembra Peak and Pakshipathalam.
l. Religious centres: Jain temple at Sulthan Bathery and Valliyoorkav near Mananthavady are two pilgrim Hindu centres and Lord Matha church at Pallikkunnu and St: Judes church at Chundale are the two Christian pilgrim centres.