`Idukki`, the name of the district is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word `Idukku` which means a narrow ravine. Its main magnetism lies in its Mountains, Valleys, dams, wildlife sanctuaries, Hill Stations and beautiful lakes. The population of this district mainly consists of tribal people. Munnar hill station is one of the best-attracted places in Idduki.
There are nearly 14 peaks and among them Anamudi peak is the highest which towers over 2695 metres. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands in this region is the Neelakurinji, this flower that enwraps the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Thekkady in Idukki is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. This district is often considered as a `Paradise` with its entire natural grandeur. This district is only accessible by road where Rail and Airline is just a dream. NH 49 and State highways 13 and 33 passes through the district. There are some places in Idukki that are not even accessible by Roads.
Geography of Idukki District:
This place is located in the middle part of Kerala. The four borders of the District can be described, as on the East there is Madurai District of Tamil Nadu while on the West Ernakulam and Kottayam Districts of Kerala cover it. In the South it is the Pathanamthitta District, while on the North it is bound by Trichur and Coimbatore Districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu States respectively. It lies between 9 degree 15` and 10 degree 21` of north latitude and 76 degree 37` and 77 degree 25` of east longitudes.
Idukki covering 13 percent of the state usually ranks first among the other districts in the state in respect of area. It has the area of 5,087 sq.km, which extends by 115 km. from south to north and 67km. from east to west.Idukki has many unique topographical and geographical characteristics. Idukki is the largest District of Kerala with a vast area of 5105.22 sq.km.
Demographics of Idukki District, Kerala
The total geographical area of this Idukki district is 4358 Sq. Km. There are four taluks under which there are sixty-four numbers of villages. The district is having only one municipality and eight development blocks while fifty-one panchayats and number of post offices are there.
According to 2001 Census, out of the total population of 11,29,221 numbers, 5,66,682 numbers are male while 5,62,539 numbers are female and the total density is 259 Sq. Km. The growth rate of the districts is 6.96 and total child population is 1,34,177 in numbers. In this idukki district the number of Scheduled castes is 1,59,362 while scheduled tribe are 50,973 in number. The total literacy rate is 88.69 percent, which is given as 8,82,458. All these data were collected in 2001 census.
Plantations in Idukki District, Kerala
The evergreen forests, which existed earlier, were totally destroyed in the area and substituted with the present greenish carpeting of tealeaves. Tea is the best suited corps in this area.
Education in Idukki District, Kerala
For the Administrative convenience and for improving the efficiency of school administration the Revenue District is divided into 2 Educational districts and further into 7 Educational Sub-district. In this Idukki district 64 Schools are having higher secondary courses. Out of which 23 are Govt. schools, 32 are Govt. aided schools and 9 are unaided schools. Some engineering colleges as well as some arts and science colleges are also present here.
Banking in Idukki District, Kerala
This Idukki District has 99 branches of 11 Commercial Banks. Only the Idukki District Cooperative Bank has 29 branches. There are 71 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies abbreviated as PACS and one Farmers Service Society, which is referred as FSS in the District. A large number of PACS are heavily dependent on the District Cooperative Bank due to their poor resource base. Integrated Cooperative Development Project abbreviated as ICDP is being implemented in the District to bring improvement in the functioning of cooperatives and development of infrastructure for further credit flow. There are four Primary Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Banks, which is better known as PCARDB in the District. The overall recovery position of the PCARDBs in the District was 86% at end of March 2000. The District has also has large number of registered private moneylenders like Muthoot Bankers, etc.
Administration in Idukki District, Kerala
For Administrative convenience, the District has, two Revenue Divisions at Idukki and Devikulam. There are all total four Taluks and 64 Revenue Villages. Out of the four taluks the Devikulam Taluk has the total area of 1774.16 Sq.Km and there are twelve villages under this taluk. The Thodupuzha taluk has area of 973.29 Sq.Km. and consists of nineteen villages whereas Udumbanchola taluk comprises of twenty-three villages with area covering 1071.40. The Peermade taluk has total area of 1286.37 Sq.Km. and contains ten villages.
Economy of Idukki District, Kerala
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in Idukki District. Dairy is the main supplementary source of income of the farmers in the district.The agro-climatic conditions is suitable for the cultivation of plantation crops and these includes tea, coffee, rubber, coconut, cardamom, pepper, etc. Animal husbandry or farming activities are the major subsidiary occupations of the farming community.Other than this,Nagarjuna Herbal Factory, Crumb rubber factory and Tata Tea, RBD, AV Thomas & Co are the major Industries in Idukki district.
Flora and Fauna of Idukkii District
The forest and wildlife of Idukki district is in true sense very captivating and its immensity can be seen in the range of flora fauna and the variety of birds. Wild life of Idukki District includes Idukki wild life sanctuary, Chinnar wild life sanctuary and Perriyar wild life sanctuary.
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