Idukki District Information

About Idukki District

District Area	5,019 Sq.Km.
Population	11,28,605
Sex Ratio	999
Growth Rate	6.96
Density per km²	252
Literacy	88.58 %
Rainfall	390 cm (Annual)

Geographically known for its Mountainous Hills and Dense Forests, Idukki is a beautiful and the largest district of Kerala. It is always associated with the generation of Power. The Hydroelectric power projects of Idukki fulfill around 66% of the State's Power needs.

Idukki covers around 12.9 percent of the area of Kerala and only 3.7 percent of the population of Kerala. About 97 percent of the total area of the District is covered by rugged mountains and forests.

Fifty percent of Idukki’s area is covered by Reserved Forests. There is only a strip of Middle land around 3% in the western part of the district. Low land area is totally absent in the district.

Located in the middle part of Kerala, the District is bound on the East by Madurai District of Tamil Nadu State while on the West by Ernakulam and Kottayam Districts of Kerala. In the South it is bordered by the Pathanamthitta District, while on the North it is bound by Trichur and Coimbatore Districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu States respectively. It lies between 9 degree 15' and 10 degree 21' of north latitude and 76 degree 37' and 77 degree 25' of east longitudes.

History

The early history of the district has no clear evidence about the paleolithic age. The Megalithic period burials can be seen in the High ranges. It is believed that Kuzhumur, the capital during the Sangam age is the present Kumily in Peermade taluk. Between 800 A.D and 1102 A.D, the Kingdom of Vembolinad comprised of the High ranges including the present Devikulam , the Udumbanchola and the Peermade taluks. Major portions of Idukki district came under the rule of Poonjar Raja during 16^th Century. The Idukki district forms a small part of the state of Kerala. In the year 1972, the district was formed out of Devikulam, Peerumedu and Udumbanchola taluks from Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from Eranakulam district.

For the purpose of developmental activities the district is divided into eight blocks: the Arudai, the Devikulam, the Elamdesom, the Idukki, the Kattappana, the Adimali, the Nedumkandom and the Thodupuzha. The district has played a significant role in the spiritual development of the country, especially the south, though it does not boast of a history of the rise and fall of dynasties. The Ramayana gives a graphic description of the flora of the Pamba Valley in Idukki, with high ranges of altitude varying from 2500 feet to over 5000 feet above sea level.

During the period of Shri Pattom Thanu Pillai the district became a systematic colonisation. His name is imprinted in Kallar Pattom colony of Udumbanchola taluk. It is also believed that the earliest human habitation of the district started from Tamil Nadu in the first two decades of the present century.

The story says that while Maharaja Sri Mulam was personally supervising the construction of the Dam on Mullaperiyar River he felt thirsty. A shepherd called Ankur Rautar gave him milk hot from the udder of the sheep. The delighted Maharaja gave him a title along with extensive forest land which his descendants sold to land owners in Tamil Nadu. With the help of cheap labour these lands were converted into Cardamom and Tea Plantations. Munnar is also referred as a Tamil pocket in Kerala as this area was developed by people from Tamil Nadu. The Britishers made the area around Munnar as their summer resort.

Places of Interest

Munnar, Pothaamedu, Devikulam, Pallivasal, Attukal, Nyayamakad, Chithirapuram, Mattupetty, Rajamala, Echo Point, Eravikulam National Park, Power House waterfalls, Kundala, Anayirankal, Top station, Marayoor, Cheeyappara, Meenuli, Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary, Idukki Arch Dam, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Hill View Park, Nadukani, Thumpachi Calveri Samuchayam, Kalliyanathandu, Malankara Reservoir, Thommankuthu, Keezharkuthu, Peermede, Kuttikkanam, Thrissanku Hills, Grampi, Pattumala, Vagamon, Sahyadri Ayurvedic Centre, The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, Pandikuzhi, Mangala Devi Temple, Chellarkovil, Vandanmedu