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Revision as of 19:00, 5 October 2004 by 203.199.213.130 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Wayanad District, in the north-east of Kerala, was formed on November 1 1980 as the 12th district, carved out of Kozhikode and Kannur districts. The etymology of the word Wayanad is Vayal (Paddy) Naad (land) ie 'Land of Paddy Fields'! There are many indigeneous tribals in this area. It is set lofty on the majestic Western Ghats and is an ideal hill resort, with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m. Quite a large area of the district is covered by forests but the continued and indiscriminate exploitation of the natural resources point towards an imminent environmental crisis.
Basic Information
Area: 2132 sq. km
Population (2001 census) : 786,627
Density of Popn: 369 persons/ sq. km
No. of Taluks: 3 (Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery, Vayithiri)
No. of State Assembly Legislators: 3 (North Wayanad, Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta)
Lok Sabha Representation: North Wayanad Assembly Seat is in Kannur Lok Sabha Seat, the other two in Kozhikode.
District Headquarters: Kalpetta (Municipality, pop: 29,602 in 2001 census)
Other Important Towns: Sulthan Bathery, Mananthavady.
People
Wayanad has a large settler population. There are people from almost all parts of Kerala who migrated to this fertile land for building up their lives. Their hardwork and sacrifice helped them to prosper. On the other hand the last few decades have seen the complete marginalisation of the indigeneous people. Alinated from their land and victimized by the state, their miserable status is a blot on the progressive ideals of Kerala society.
Economy
Wayanad is an industrially backward district. Agriculture, mainly plantation and estate type, is the main stay of the economy. Coffee, tea, cocoa, ] and lately, vanilla are the main cash crops. Besides cash crops, the most important crop in the district is rice. Dams and aqueducts have been constructed to take water to the otherwise dry areas in the district.
Access
The Kozhikode- Mysore National Highway No. 215 passes through Wayanad district. Nearest railway station is at Kozhikode, 67 km from Kalpetta. Kozhikode airport at Karippur is the nearest airport. There are good road connections to various parts of Kerala and other neighbouring states. Buses ply frequently between important centres.
Places of Importance
There are various places of tourist importance in the district appealing to all kind of visitors. Edakkal Cave, 32 km from Kalpetta near Ambalavayal, is famous for its pre-historic carvings and paintings.There is a famous Jain Temple near Koottamunda. Thirunelli is a very old temple on the foothills of Brahmagiri.Sulthan Bathery is famous for its fort, which was built by Tipu Sultan. The tomb of the warrior Veera Pazhassi, who fought the British with the help of Kurichiya warriors, is in Mananthavady. Lakkidi, the entry-point to Wayanad on the road from Kozhikode, receives one of the highest rainfalls in India. Pookkot lake nearby is a famous tourist centre as well. A ride through the tea estates is also very beautiful.For the adventorous the Chembra peak and Banasura, both over 2000 mts high, provide tough challenges. Kuruva Dweep (10 kms from Mananthavady) is a unique delta system on the Kabini river and a paradise for ornithologists. An important and unusual pilgrim centre for sociologists and educationists is 'Kanavu' a centre for alternative education which help the adivasi's (tribals) adapt to the challenges without loosing their cultural moorings.