| Voice of Waynad District
: Anthony Kunnk
Waynad District
Area, Population & Sex Ratio
Geographical Area : 2131.0 Km2
Population in Wayanad (Census 2011)
Total Population
Total : 8,16,558
Male : 4,01,314
Female : 4,15,244
Under 6 population
Total : 89,720
Male : 45,776
Female : 43,944
Disabled population
Total disabled population : 1840
1 In seeing : 6946
In speech : 1576
In hearing : 1969
In movement : 5146
Mental : 2764
Rank ( VoiceOfBharat.org Analysis
)
Backwardness : 443
Sex Ratio Rank : 498
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 434 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 22 (Census 2001)
Minority : Yes
Brief About Waynad District
Wayanad History
HISTORY
Comprising an area of 2126 sq. kms, Wayanad has a powerful history.
Historians are of the view that organized human life existed in
these parts, at least ten centuries before the Christ. Countless
evidences about New Stone Age civilization can be seen on the hills
of Wayanad. The two caves of Ampukuthimala located between Sulthan
Bathery and Ambalavayal, with pictures painted on their walls and
pictorial writings, speak volumes of the bygone era and civilization.
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 of the Pazhassi Rajas
of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali became the ruler of Mysore,
he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the days of
Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam 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 Raja of Kottayam. When the Raja was driven to the
wilderness of Wayanad, he organized the war, like people's militia
with the help of Kurichye tribals and engaged the British in several
guerrilla type encounters. In the end, the British could get only
the dead body of the Raja, who killed himself somewhere in the interior
of the forest.Thus Wayanad fell into the hands of 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 forestlands proved a verietable
goldmine with incredible yields of cash crops.When the state of
Kerala came into being in November 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur
district. Later, south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district.
In order to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Wayanad for
development, north Wayanad and south Wayanad were carved out and
joined together to form the present district of Wayanad.
SALIENT FEATURES
The total geographical area and population of Wayanad are 2126sq.kms,
(2,12,560 hects.) and 6,72,128 respectively, which account for 5.48
per cent and 2.31 per cent of the state total. The male and female
population are 3,41,958 and 3,30,170 respectively. The female-male
sex ratio is 966 per 1000 males. The density of population is 315
per sq.km. (1991 census) against 260 in 1981, showing an increase
of 21 per cent.The literacy in the region is 85.54 per cent Male
literacy ratio is 90.28 and female literacy ratio is 80.80.Its geographical
position is peculiar and unique . The difference in altitudes of
each locality within the district presents a variation of climatic
conditions. Nature has blessed this part of the country beautifully
with mist- clad mountains and sylvan valleys. The idyllic nature
of Wayanad, its nearness to Udagamandalam (Ooty) and Mysore with
well-laid roads to these centers, offer tremendous tourist potentialities.
A visitor may be impressed by the extensive paddy fields of the
districts. Agriculture in Wayanad is equally divided between paddy
and plantation crops, except coconut. The hills, which are deep
blue in bright sunlight and lie mist-covered most of the time, juxtaposes
with the green of these paddy fields. This, infact, is a splendid
spectacle. The east flowing rivers of Wayanad are in striking contrast
to the various rivers of the rest of Kerala. The river Kabani of
Wayanad is a perennial source of water to Cauvery. The Panamaram
rivulet, originating from Lakkidi and the Mananthavady rivulet originating
from Thondarmudi Peak meet six kms. north of Panamaram town and
after the confluence, the river is known as Kabani. Coffee is ubiquitous
in Wayanad. It is cultivated in every panchayat, both in the form
of large plantations and small holdings.Coffee is cultivated in
an area of 75,057 hects.with Wayanad having the highest area of
66,999 hectares. Pepper is grown as an additional crop on trees
that are groomed to give shade to the coffee shrubs. In Pulpally
area, there are exclusive pepper gardens. Tea is cultivated in large
estates.Wayanad has the highest concentration of tribals in Kerala.
They form 17.1 per cent of the total population of the district.
The aborigines of Wayanad have a great political tradition. This
area was originally reigned by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. Later,
political authority came to the Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal
dynasty. The Kurichyas of Wayanad have a great martial tradition.
They groomed to give shade to the coffee shrubs. In Pulpally area,
there are exclusive pepper gardens. Tea is cultivated in large estates.Wayanad
has the highest concentration of tribals in Kerala. They form 17.1
per cent of the total population of the district. The aborigines
of Wayanad have a great political tradition. This area was originally
reigned by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. Later, political authority
came to the Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty. The Kurichyas
of Wayanad have a great martial tradition. They constituted the
army of Pazhassi Veera Kerala Varma Rajah who engaged the British
forces in several battles. The descendants of those warriors are
still expert archers. The excellence of Kurichya archery has been
exhibitted recently, at various centres. Wayanad has an agricultural
economy and it has no major industry to boast of. Heavy industry
will probably tilt the ecological and demographic balance adversely.
The idyllic nature of this district, together with its colourful
tribal life and brazing climate, will make tourism pay rich dividends.
Development activities are bringing about a change in the poor man's
quality of life. Through the co-operative sector, Adivasis are provided
with a better deal in the economic life. A labour contract co-operative
society for the benefit of Adivasis is also functioning here. A
notable feature of life in Wayanad is that it is touched to its
very roots by the operation of the nationalised, commercial and
co-operative banks. The branches of these banks located in the remote
areas of the district have a busy time during the marketing time
of cash crops.
TOPOGRAPHY
Wayanad lies between north latitude 110 27' and 150 58' and east
longitude 750 47 ' and 700 27'. It is bounded on the east by Nilgiris
and Mysore districts of Tamilnadu and Karnataka respectively, on
the north by Coorg district of Karnataka, on the south by Malappuram
and on the west by Kozhikode and Kannur .
Placed on the southern tip of the Deccan plateau, its prime glory
is the majestic Western Ghats with lofty ridges interspersed with
magnificent forests, tangled jungles and deep valleys. In the centre
of the district, hills are lower in height, while the northern area
has high hills and they give a wild and mountainous appearance.
Some of the major peaks are Vellarimala, Banasura, Brahmagiri, Chembra,
etc. ranging from 1500 mts. to 2100 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 2100 meters 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 boarder 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 forest once, are now plantations of coffee, tea or cardamom.
There is 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 juxtaposed with the blue sky and white vagrant
wads of cottonwools like clouds amidst them.
The soil of the Wayanad district is mainly of the forest type.
It promotes a lushy luxuriant growth of vegetation, which makes
Wayanad clothed in uniform greenery. The district has 787 ha. under
forests |
