Pakala, Prakasam

Pakala (Telugu: పాకల) is a Gram panchayat in Singarayakonda Mandal, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Pakala
—  village  —
Pakala Location of Pakala in Andhra Pradesh and India
Coordinates	15°16′10″N 80°04′19″E
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District(s)	Prakasam
Population	12,681 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)

About

Hanuman Statue

Pakala (Telugu: పాకల) is a beautiful coastal village with a lot of agricultural lands, 4 (Telugu: చెరువులు) (water storing place for agricultural needs), 2 (Telugu: కోనేరులు), salt fields, green trees, beautiful birds, animals, Buckingham canal and sun rising in the sea. Pakala is also the largest Gram panchayat in Singarayakonda Mandal.

The Hanuman Statue welcomes folks into the village. It is a collaborative effort of the people of Pakala in year 2010

Location

Pakala is located on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, 5 km east of Singarayakonda and 3 km north of Ullapalem, with sea on the east.

It is located at coordinates 15°16' N and 80°04' E at elevation starting at one foot near Pallepalem and about 25 feet on the west side of village.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Pakala had a population of 12,681. Males: 6487. Females: 6194. Number of Households: 3194.

Like in most villages, younger generation is leaving for cities and towns for employment and to work in construction projects in bigger cities. Some families are moving to cities for business and for children education. As a result the population is not increasing and is relatively at the same size as it was a few decades ago.

Religion and Worship

Religion

Jalamma Temple

Sivalayam

Krishnalayam

There are many religions being practiced and people of Pakala live in harmony.

The following are the places of worship:

• The 'Shivalayam' is said to be one of the ancient temples (but never in limelight). It is said that the Shivlinga was installed by Lord Rama when he was following 'Aranya Vasa' during Treta Yug.
• An old and beautiful Church(Telugu Baptist Church) in Maadigapaalem completed 50 years.
• Ramalayam, Jalamma gudi, 1 Darga and 3 Churches are there in the Pallepalem.
• Ramalayam in Malapalli.
• Main Shivalayam, Krishnalayam and Ramaswamy Alayam in thurpu bazar.
• Three temples and two churches are there in the three Pattapupalems.
• Two Mosques.
• There are many small churches in every palem.

Festivals

The following main traditional festivals are observed:

• Sankranthi
• Shivaratri
• Vinayaka Chavithi
• Sriramanavami
• Christmas
• Ramjan
• Jalamma tirunalla at Pallipalem is famous festival for Hindus, once in a five year period

Economy

Pakala is a mini India with different types of religions, castes, peoples and different types of occupations of the people. The major income source is agriculture and fishing. There are many other occupations and businesses that run from small scale to large scale. On the downside many traditional occupations such as making jute threads, brooms, etc. have vanished due to not being used by anyone. Many of traditional occupations, such as pottery, carpentry, etc., are less practiced due to lack of demand. However on the upside a few new businesses such as drinking water supply, cable TV, tree pulp production, shops, etc., are providing income to many households.

Income sources

Following are some of types of agriculture crops and other types of income sources:

• Rice (major crop).
• Salt cultivation.
• Fishing in Bay of Bengal and in ponds.
• (Telugu: పెసర, మినుములు, ప్రత్తి, రాగులు) cultivation.
• (Telugu: సరివి, జామాయిల్, సుబాబుల్, జీడి మామిడి).
• Milk.
• Vegetables, flowers and ground nuts: These are cultivated in the (Telugu: ఇనక) land that is situated between the paddy fields and sea shore where sweet water is available.
• Mango and lemon groves.
• Prawn ponds.
• Chicken farms: These did not turn out to be a major success for Pakala environment/location.
• 2-3 Rice Mills.
• Small scale shops for grocery/cloths, etc.
• Many middlemen in rice business and real estate.

Rice Farming

Paddy Fields

Paddy Fields

Fields

Rice farming is a major crop cultivated in Pakala. Sona Masuri and Jilakara Masuri rice is grown along with other type of rice.

The farming is dependent on rain water that is collected in three (Telugu: చెరువులు). If there are no rain then farming will not be done in all the fields. The hay that is collected in rice harvesting is used as feed for cows and buffaloes. Recently the trend is to use modern technology to do cultivation. Due to non-availability of manual labor as well increase in manual labor costs, modern technology such as harvesters are used.

Salt Cultivation

The sea water is used in salt fields. Salt is cultivated during 6 months in summer. During 1950s having a salt field was more valuable than having a paddy field.

Salt cultivation is still done in traditional ways and modern technology has not been yet adopted.

Prawn and Shrimp ponds

Some of waste land north side of the salt fields, have been used for "prawns ponds" and Shrimp farm. During 1996-2004 there was very good yield and lot of profits were seen. However in the following years the yield declined due to contamination of feed. Now the prawn ponds are cultivated less and in controlled manner. There is a beautiful jetty (a bridge for water flow) in the sea that is constructed (500 meters inside the sea) to get sea water for the ponds.

Milk Production

Many households have buffalo and sell milk to dairies. For most households this is one of their main sources of income. Once in a while there will be government schemes that provide loans to buy buffaloes.

There is a government milk dairy and a few private milk dairies where they buy milk from farmers.

Fishing in the Bay of Bengal

Traditional Boat

New Motar Boat

New Motar Boats

Boats used for fishing

The people in Pallipallem and Pattapallem depend on fishing in the Bay of Bengal. Recently with the help of government loans the fishing community got motor boats for fishing needs. The fish is sold in Singarayakonda and also sent to many other towns through rail transport.

SBI

There is a State Bank Of India in Pakala that provides crop loans, gold loans and provides various savings options.

Kalyana Mandapam

Kalyana Mandapam

Reading Room

Water Tank

A huge Kalyana Mandapam is constructed within Pakala Bus Stand. This project was a collaborative effort of the people of Pakala and with raised funds. Now people of Pakala and from surrounding villages and towns are using this Kalyana Mandapam for marriages and for other celebrations.

Water supply

There are 3 water tanks in Pakala that provide fresh water to the Pakala people.

Reading Rooms

A few reading rooms are established in various parts of Pakala, that have daily news papers and weekly magazines.

Beach

Pakala Beach

Bridge on the Buckingham canal

Buckingham canal

Previously Pakala beach was less used for recreational activities and unknown and was not easily accessible. In the year 2005 a cement road was laid over the Buckingham canal till the sea shore allowing autos and motor vehicles to go till the beach. This access to the sea shore made Pakala beach famous and known to the surrounding towns and villages. Now many people visit Pakala to see the Bay of Bengal and as recreation. Now there are a few shops near the beach that sell refreshments for visitors. There are some cement benches on the sea shore as well.

Traditionally, at Vinayaka Nimajjanam (Vinayaka Chaviti) the people of Pakala and from surrounding villagers immerse Lord Vinayaka in the Bay of Bengal. There used to be an old damaged bridge in Buckingham canal to reach the sea. Now the bridge is replaced by a cement bridge.

Education

Education is given major importance. There is a ZPP High school, and 8 elementary schools. For higher education students go to towns and cities. To encourage students to study, every year on August 15, prizes will be awarded to students who excel in studies. Volley Ball, Cricket, Kabaddi are the common games played in schools in Pakala. Pakala has produced many graduates who have taken many government posts and private sector job. Many of these folks settled in many towns, cities in India and abroad. Following is an approximate estimate of the various jobs that are taken by people from Pakala (data collected in 2010 by speaking to people in Pakala):

• More than 50 doctors
• More than 100 engineers
• More than 50 police men
• More than 40 teachers
• Numerous graduates working in various government and private sectors

Transport

There are private buses that shuttle between Pakala and Singarayakonda. Auto rickshaws are also available anytime.