About Idukki
One of the fourteen districts of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala, Idukki was established on 26th January 1972. The lovely high range territorial dominion of Kerala is geographically acknowledged for its hilly environs and thick woodlands. For the friendly people of Kerala or for the Malayalam speaking population living all over the world, the word 'Idukki' reminds of Power Generation!
Well, for the record, nearly 66% of the Kerala's power demands is fulfilled by the hydroelectric power projects operated in Idukki. Idukki district accounts for a little more than 12 % of the total area of the state and merely 3.7 % of the total population of Kerala.
Idukki: Past and Present
The name of the district 'Idukki' is derived from the Malayalam word 'Idukku' which can be translated in English as 'narrow gorge'. Though, there are no authentic accounts or historical documents exist to indicate whether men of the Palaeolithic Age inhabited in the region, there are certainly evidence of stone-age civilization. Stone-age cromleches (prehistoric megalithic tomb typically having two large upright stones and a capstone) were unearthed in the vales of Anchanad (Devikulam taluk). Archaeological diggings carried out between 1947-48 at the Kallar Pattom colony (Udumbanchola taluk) and at Vandiperiyar (Peermedu taluk) brought around the remains of Old Stone-age standing stone and graves.
Karikode, located 6 km from the urban center of Kollam (Quilon) was the home base of the Rajah of Vadakkumkoor. Even today, there is the ruins of a fortress is found at Karikode. Close to the fort building, there is a Mangaladevi Temple supposed to have built by the Rajah of Vadakkumkoor. There is also another temple by name Annamala Nadhar Mahadeva Temple constructed in the Chola style of architecture. The church building located at Muthalakodam, a suburban area situated approx 3 km east of the Thodupuzha Town is considered to have built prior to the 13th Century.
The famous Ninnar Mosque (near Karikode) is supposed to have built by the Rajah of Vadakkumkoor for his Islamic soldiers. Thodupuzha, the largest town in all of Idukki district, was a key commercial hub those days. Several historical documents express that from ancient time onwards rosewood, ivory, sandalwood, teak and so on., were exported to many foreign countries across the globe.
Historiographers consider that Kuzhumoor, the capital of Chera rulers of the Sangam Age, is the Kumily village (Peermade taluk). It is undisputed that parts of Meenachil Taluk (Kottayam district) and the all of the high ranges were attached to the Thanthuzhynad (under the Kulasekhara Empire). Furthermore, for once these areas were under the domain of the Thekkumkoor independent kingdom.
It was evidenced that Vennimala on the westerly edge of Pampady (a settlement 16 km east of Kottayam district) was a former capital of Thekkumkoor, was in Idukki territorial dominion. The Poonjar Kingdom was founded by Manavikrama Kulasekhara Perumal added Meenachil and some places of high range under his reign from the Thekkumkoor Raja. Therefore, major parts of the Idukki district got under the reign of the Poonjar Raja.
The contemporary chronicle of the territorial dominion commences with the coming of European plantation owners to this part. The innovators attempted a lot of crops in the region, which include Chinchona, Coffee, Chinchona and Sisal prior to distinguishing tea as the crop appropriate for this region. Presently, Idukki district comprises of Peermedu, Devikulam and Udumbanchola taluks of the former Kottayam territorial dominion and Thodupuzha taluk (leaving out two small towns namely Manjallore and Kalloorkadu) of the former Ernakulam territorial dominion.
At the time of establishment, the district central office of Idukki commenced operation in Kottayam and from there it was transferred to Painavu in Thodupuzha taluk in June 1976, where it is aimed to establish a new projected forest town.
Administration in Idukki
The Idukki district has been divided into two revenue divisions, four Taluks and 64 revenue villages, for the purpose of effective administration.
Revenue Divisions of Idukki
- Idukki
- Devikulam
- Devikulam
- Peermade
- Thodupuzha
- Udumbanchola
- Idukki
- Kannan Devan Hills
- Karikkode
- Kumily
- Kalkoonthal
- Periyar
- Idukki
- Kanchiyar
- Vellathooval
- Kodikkulam
Important Contact Information:
Idukki District Collector
Shri.Ajit Patil IAS
Collectorate, Kuyilimala, Painav P.O., Idukki
Kerala - 685 603
Phone Number: 04862-233101
Fax: 04862-233101
Email: dcidk.ker@nic.in
Law and Order in Idukki District
Law and order in the city are maintained by the district police of Idukki. The district houses three police sub divisions, namely, Munnar, Kattappana and Thodupuzha. Furthermore, twelve police circle offices, twenty six police stations, one traffic unit (Thodupuzha) and one tourism police wing (Kumily) are functioning under the Idukki district police.
Contact Information of Major Police Offices in Idukki
(Telephone Code: 0486)
District Police Office: 2232354
Supt. of Police: 2233006
SP's Camp Office: 2233004
District Crime Record Bureau: 2232354
District Police Control Room: 2222242
District Armed Reserve Police Camp: 2232343
Motor Transport Office: 2232306
District Special Branch: 2232356
Crime Stopper Call System: 2232356
Women Police Wing: 2235229
Thodupuzha Sub Division: 04862-227472/222272
Kattappana Sub Division: 04862-872978/872350
Munnar Sub Division: 04862-530382
Other Important Contact Information in Idukki
Regional Transport Office, Idukki: 04862-232244
Revenue Divisional Office, Idukki: 04862-232231
District Planning Officer, Idukki: 04862-233010
District Information Officer, Idukki: 04862-233036
Geography and Demography of Idukki
The geographic coordinates of Idukki district is 9.85°N 76.94°E. The total area of the district is entered as 1,729 sq mi (4,479 sq.km.). The mean altitude of the district is recorded as 3,900 ft (1,200 m) above sea level. Idukki is regarded as the second largest district in the state of Kerala, in terms of area. Craggy mountains and woods spread over 97 percent of the total surface area of Idukki.Idukki is bordered by Coimbatore (Kovai), Dindigul and Theni districts of Tamil Nadu to the east, Kottayam district to the southwest, Thrissur district to the north, Ernakulam district (also known as Cochin/Kochi) to the northwest and Pathanamthitta district to the south. Idukki is not provided with rail or air link and the city is accessible only by roads! National Highway NH 49 and State highway 13 and 33 passes through the district.
- National Highway 49 (NH 49): covers coast-to-coast connecting Ernakulam (Kochi/Cochin) in Kerala with Dhanushkodi (a town at the southeast tip of Pamban Island) in Tamil Nadu.
Climate in Idukki
The climatic conditions of Idukki exhibit a considerable fluctuation from west to east. The westerly divisions of Idukki consisting of upcountry areas receive moderate weather, temperature altering from 21 degree C to 27 degree C with minimal seasonal variation. The easterly divisions of Idukki situated in the upland have a fairly low temperature with temperature altering between -1 degree C to 15 degree C in Nov/Jan and 5 degree C to 15 degree C during Mar/Apr. The district gets abundant rainfall from north east and south west monsoon. The annual rainfall in the district varies from 250 to 425 cm.
Demographic Information of Idukki District:
Population (Census 2011): 1,108,974
Male Population: 552,808
Female Population: 556,166
Population Density: 255/sq.km.
Sex Ratio: 1006 females for every 1000 males
Population of Children under 0-6: 105,641
Literacy Rate: 91.99 per cent
Male Literacy: 94.56
Female Literacy: 89.45
Economy in Idukki
Agribusiness, animal husbandry and tourism are the main source of income for the district of Idukki. However, of late, flower gardening, mushroom cultivation, medicative herbs, vanilla cultivation and so on., are being actively adopted by many farmers in Idukki. Due to the agro-climatic conditions appropriate for the plantation crops like coffee, tea, pepper, rubber, coconut, the territorial dominion ranked 2nd in all of Kerala in agriculture produces.
Major Crops of Idukki District:
Pepper, Cardamom, Tea, Rubber, Coffee, Cocoa, Coconut, Banana, Tapioca, Arecanut, Paddy, Ginger, Nutmeg, Ginger, Pineapple, Sugarcane, Pulses, Turmeric, Bitter gourd, Cashew, Yam, Ragi, Coclocasia, Ladies finger, Green chili, Amaranthus and so on.
Tourism in Idukki
Idukki is nothing short of a nature's gift to India. The district is regarded as one of the most scenic areas of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. Densely wooded vales combined with awe-inspiring uplands that are encircled by River Periyar, River Thalayar and River Thodupuzhayar and their branches and what not, Idukki is truly stupefying! Furthermore, the Pamba River (also written as Pampa River and also known as Dakshina Bhageerathi/River Baris) is originating on the Peermade tableland in the Idukki district.
As a renowned tourist destination, Idukki extends diverse attractions which include hill stations, dams, tea plantation tours, sanctuaries, protected areas and several other nature sites. Idukki is all about lush tea plantations, picturesque settlements, breathtaking peaks, meandering lanes, scenic waterfalls and a wide range of resorts and so on.
Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Idukki include Munnar, Idukki arch dam, Idukki wildlife sanctuary, Hill view park, Nadukani, Thattekad bird sanctuary, Thumpachi calveri samuchayam, Kulamavu, Painavu, Cheruthoni, Periyar tiger reserve, Kalliyanathandu, Malankara reservoir, Thommankuthu, Keezharkuthu, Kurinjimala sanctuary, Keezharkuthu, Peermede, Thekkady, Eravikulam national park, Pampadum shola national park and so on.
Important Contact Details:
District Tourist Information Office, Department of Tourism, Thekkady junction, Kumily
Phone Number: 04869-222620
District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Civil Station, Painavu
Phone Number: 04862-232248
DTPC Information Centre, Old Munnar
Phone Number: 04865-231516
Idukki - Quick Facts
Headquarters: PainavuTotal Area: 1,729 sq mi
Elevation: 3,900 ft
Languages: Malayalam and English
Transport Information:
Air:
Nearest Airports
Cochin International Airport (IATA: COK, ICAO: VOCI) - 160 km
Madurai Airport (IATA: IXM, ICAO: VOMD) - 205 km
Trivandrum International Airport (IATA: TRV, ICAO: VOTV) - 265 km
Calicut International Airport (IATA: CCJ, ICAO: VOCL) - 315 km
Chennai International Airport (IATA: MAA, ICAO: VOMM) - 570 km
Rail
Nearest Railway Stations
Kottayam Railway Station (KTYM) - 114 km
Changanassery Railway Station (CGY) - 114 km
Ernakulam Junction Railway Station (ERS) - 160 km
Madurai Junction Railway Station (MDU) - 195 km
Theni Railway Station (TENI) - 60 km