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Kochuthovala (Malayalam: കൊച്ചുതോവാള) is a small village about 4 km from Kattappana town,(located within Kattappana Municipality, Revenue Village of Kattappana, Idukki Taluk) in Idukki District, Kerala State, India.

Etymology

Kochuthovala gets its name from the Malayalam words 'kochu'(means small) 'thovala', which means area situated amongst hills. There are two places with similar name viz. Kochuthovala and Valiyathovala('valiya' means big). As the name indicates, Kochuthovala is relatively smaller village in terms of infrastructure and facilities compared to the nearby village Valiyathovala. Though situated nearby, the villages are geographically seperated by a range of hills known as 'Poor's Mount'.

History

Kochuthovala has a history which dates back to the early days of migration to the Malanadu or High Range, layman term for the eastern hilly range of Western Ghats) from the parts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, the erstwhile Central Travancore.

Geography and Climate

Located at 9.773374, 77.12811. The village is blessed with typical weather and climate of Malanadu, less polluted water and air. It is surrounded by steepy green vegetated hills from all directions except its North-West portion that leads towards Erattayar.

Living

Majority of the people are farmers and labourers. People from Roman Catholic Christian and Hindu religions form the entire population. Major occupation is agriculture and associated works. The village cutivates Spices (cardamom/black pepper) and vegetables.

Infrastructure

The village junction has a church(St. Joseph's Church), Lower and Upper Primary schools, Post Office (PIN 685 514), Library, Ration Shop and some grocery stores. There is a well running milk producer's society aimed at collection and supply of cow milk produced locally.

Educational facilities

An Anganvadi, Nursery school, Lower and Upper Primary school provide the basic facilities for education in the village. For high school and other higher education facilities either Kattappana or Erattayar is chosen. All leading schools in Kattappana and nearby places have school bus pick up points at Kochuthovala and premises.

Transportation

A bye-route to nearby town of Erattayar from Kattappana. Buses, including KSRTC, are plying in this route between Kattappana and Erattayar. This is an alternative route from Kattappana to Nedumkandam via Kochuthovala - Uppukandam - Valiyathovala - Ezhukumvayal - Chembalam - Kallar (about 19 km).

Due to the lack of ample public transport facilities, especially for the school going children and workers people of Kochuthovala formed a charitable society. The society raised funds from the villagers and purchased a bus in the early 2010s. It is named as Kochuthovala Transport and operating successfully connecting the village to the Town of Kattappana.