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Kattappana

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Kattappana
കട്ടപ്പന
Municipality
Municipality
Kattappana from distant mountain
Kattappana from distant mountain
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictIdukki
Elevation
1,100 m (3,600 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total42,646
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
685508, 685515
Telephone code04868
Vehicle registrationKL-06,KL-37,KL-69
Nearest cityKochi
Literacy88.26%
Lok Sabha constituencyIdukki
Websitehttp://idukki.nic.in/

Kattappana is the largest town in the Sahyadri (or Western Ghats) in Kerala, India. It is the main urban centre in the high ranges of Idukki district and is situated 3,600 feet (1,100 m) above main sea level, in the High Ranges, the high altitude region of Kerala has recently raised to the status of municipality .Kattapana is a CLASS III urban centre. It is the first municipality in Idukki (highrange) with the real terraineous touch of Idukki as Thodupuzha municipality is really a low-lying space. It is a major commercial town and is flourished with the boost in agriculture and spices. Based on the 2011 Census, it had a total population of 42646, consisting of 21,159 males and 21,487 females.[1]

Migrations during 1950−1970, of Kattappana people from different parts of near by townships like Palai, Kottayam etc. The main occupation was cultivation of commercial spices like Tea, Coffee, Pepper, Cardamom, Black Pepper etc., and majority of them are farmers.[2]

Tea Plantation
Tea Plantation

Demographics

It is one of the more important commercial centre in the high ranges and was on a fast track in terms of development and infrastructure building. Kattappana became a grama panchayat in 1962 and the first panchayat council under the presidency of V.T. Sebastian was formed in 1964.

However, it was the development of the Kottayam–Kattappana road and the Puliyanmala–Thodupuzha State highway that turned the town into a commercial centre. It was the agriculture sector that played a pivotal role in economically uplifting the town

According to 2011 Census, the population was 42,646, with 21,159 males and 21,487 females. The population in the age group 0–6 years are 4,412. The Scheduled Castes (SC) were 2,585 and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) were recorded as 524. The number of literates are 36,418 with the average literacy rate at 95.25%.[1]

The town had a large population of Syrian Catholic families who migrated to Kattappana in early 1950s from Central Travancore.[3] The migrations were majorly from Palai, Chenganassery and Kanjirapally taluks of Kottayam district and Pathanamthitta. Apart from the Catholics, the Nadar, Viswakarma, Nair, and Ezhava communities also make up a good part of the population. The landmark of the town is an edifice dedicated to Narayana Guru. There are also Muslim families and the Juma Masjid caters to their religious needs.

Descendants of earlier inhabitants, the tribals of the forest, can still be seen. The Mannan tribe is now concentrated around Kovilmala, near Kanchiyar.[4] Before large scale migration and settlement took place in Kattappana and surrounding areas in early 1950s, there were Tamil farmers. There is a sizable number of Tamil labor force forming part of the floating population of Kattappana.

Agriculture

Kattappana is a center for spices trade and is one of the primary producers of cardamom[5] and black pepper. The main occupation of people of Kattappana is Agriculture.A specific type Njallani high yielding variety of cardamom, was developed in Kattappana. Kattappana is also the centre of production and marketing of coffee, cocoa and ginger. There are also several reputed tea plantations (Tata Tea, A V Thomas & Co, Malayalam Plantations, Kannan Devan etc.) in adjoining areas of the district.

Spices Board (erstwhile Cardamom Board under Government of India) has an office in Kattappana. A Spices Park is established at Puttadi near Kattappana. Cardamom Research Institute is situated at Pampadumpara.[citation needed]

Njallani high yielding variety of cardamom was developed by Sebastian Joseph Njallani of Kattappana, who migrated to Kattappana in 1952 from Pala.[6]

Tourism

Tourism thrives in the rural areas of Kattappana. The main tourist attractions are Thekkady, Kumili, Idukki and Munnar. Calvery Mount and Anchuruli are also famous tourist spots. From Kattappana, a scenic view of Idukki dam, which is a part of the largest hydro-electric project in the state of Kerala. Calvery Mount has a bird's eyes view of the reservoir from 200 metres above the reservoir. Within 17 km we can reach Ramakkalmedu in Thookkupalam

Kattappana with Idukki lake

Infrastructure

Raising of Kattappana into a municipality paves a way for the developing of the town.Kattapana is changing its face to multi storey buildings,developed roads and rated facilities.Kattapana is also a new aim of some of the MNC.Like all developing towns in Kerala Kattapana is also facing stiff traffic congestions.also the municipality is ensuring the infrastructure devolopemant.

Government offices

  • POLICE station-1
  • Kerala PSC district office
  • Kerala State Housing Board district office
  • Sales tax office
  • KSEB
  • KSRTC depot
  • SBT
  • SBI
  • Fire force-1
  • Court
  • Treasury
  • Veterinary Hospital
  • Homeo Hostpital
  • HBDC
  • Water authority
  • Municipality office
  • Excise Range Office

List of Banks:-

  • Idukki District co-operative Bank(Main and Evening Branch)
  • Federal bank
  • State Bank of India
  • State bank of Travencore
  • ICICI Bank
  • Union Bank of India
  • Bank of India
  • Canara bank
  • South Indian Bank
  • Service co-operative Bank
  • Malanadu service co-operative bank

Landmarks

  • Central Junction, Kattappana
  • Market junction, Kattappana
  • Pallikavala,
  • KSEB Junction, Kattappana
  • Kalyanathandu Tourist spot
  • KSRTC Sub Depot

Government tribal higher secondary school Kattappana

  • Kattapana, new bus stand
  • Government College, Kattappana
  • Anchuruli
  • St George Forane Church, Kattapana
  • Sree dharma sastha temple, Kattapana
  • Gurumandhiram, Kattapana
  • Gandhi square
  • Ashoka Junction
  • Idukki kavala
  • Ossanam HSS
  • Kerala State Road Transport Corporation Sub depot
  • Kerala State Electricity Board Sub station
  • St. John's Hospital and Nursing school
  • Infant Jesus Residential School(first CBSE school in Kattappana)
  • I.T.I College
  • st.George Church vellayamkudy[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Kattappana population". The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  2. ^ "'Trial Run Begins at Spices Park'". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  3. ^ St George Forane Church, Kattappana
  4. ^ Mannan tribe
  5. ^ Cardamom Cultivation
  6. ^ "Tale of an Indigenous Farmer", Rediff.com
  7. ^ vellayamkudychurch.org
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