Brief About Palakkad District
Palakkad is one of the fourteen revenue districts
of Kerala. Its geographical position, historical background, rural
natural, educational status, tourist attractions and above all,
the developmental activities that are carried out, are wide and
varied.
This district, situated almost in the centre
of State, has no coastal line. The district opens the State to
the rest of the country through the Palakkad gap. This 32 to 40
kms. wide natural gap in the 960 kms. long Western Ghats is perhaps
the most influential factor for the unique characteristics of
the district such as climate, commercial as well as cultural exchanges
between the State and the rest of the country. Palakkad witnessed
invasions of historical importance that have left indelible impressions
on the history of Kerala. Bharathappuzha, the longest river in
Kerala, originates from the highlands and flows through the entire
district.
The district is one of the main granaries of
Kerala and its economy is primarily agricultural. Agriculture
engages more than 65 per cent of the workers and 88.9 per cent
of the district's population is rural in nature. The proximity
and easy approach to Tamil Nadu have caused the admixture of Malayalam
and Tamil culture, here.
The district is perhaps the foremost in fostering
Carnatic music. Great musicians like Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar
and Palakkad Mani Iyer, who have enriched Carnatic music by their
contributions, hailed from this district.
Forests, numerous streams, several dams and the
gardens in them have made this district a tourist paradise.
Palakkad is part of the erstwhile Malabar district
of Madras Presidency. The district accounts for about 11.5 per
cent of the total land area of Kerala, with the share of population
is 8.22 per cent. The district has got two types of climates.
Ottappalam, Alathur and Mannarkkad Taluks are having a climate
similar to that of other districts of Kerala, whereas Palakkad
and Chittur are having rather a dry climate similar to TamilNadu.
However the average rainfall is good for cultivation. There are
five taluks, 163 villages , four Municipal towns and ninety Panchayaths
in the district. The district is divided into 13 community Development
Blocks for the effective implementation of various development
activities.
Palakkad is the land of Palmyrahs and Paddy fields.
Along with Kuttanadu, Palakkad is major paddy growing area of
the state. It is often called as the "gateway of Kerala". The
Sahya Ranges bordering the region and the 32 to 40 km. long gap
in the mountains exert a dominant influence on the climate of
the region. This gap is known as 'Palakkad Gap'. In the past,
this land was known as Palkkattussery. Etymologists trace the
word Palakkad from Palanilam meaning the dry area. Palakkad has
a long history dating back to the paleolithic period which was
substantiated by a number of megalithic relics discovered from
this region. It also housed the Capitals of two kingdoms such
as Palakkad and Kollengode, which were in prominence till a century
back.
Location
Palakkad district is situated in the South West
Coast of India, bounded on the North by Malappuram in the East
by Coimbatore of Tamilnadu, in the South by Thrissur and in the
West by Thrissur and Malappuram districts. It lies between 10'21
and 11'14 North latitude and 76'02 and 76'54 East longitude. The
total geographical area of the district is 4480 sq.k.m representing
11.53 per cent of the State's geographical area. The forest land
per cent covers 136257 hectares.
Topographically the district can be divided into
two regions.
Based on the physical features, the district
is divided into two natural divisions - midland and highland.
The midland region consists of valleys and plains. It leads up
to the highland which consists of high mountain peaks, long spurs,
extensive ravines, dense forests and tangled jungles. Midland
is thick with coconut, arecanut, cashew, pepper, rubber and paddy
cultivation.The soil is laterite in the hill and mid land regions.
Ottappalam taluk lies completely in the midland and highland regions.
The road and rail links between Kerala and Tamil Nadu pass through
the Palakkad gap.
The Western Ghats has an average altitude of
5000 ft. except for two peaks of more than 6000 ft. The important
peaks above an altitude of 4000 ft. are Anginda (7628 ft.), Karimala
(6556 ft.), Nellikotta or Padagiri (5200 ft.) and Karimala Gopuram
(4721 ft.)
Population
According to the 2001 census the population of
the district is 2617072. The density of the population is 584
per Sq. km. Decadal growth rate for the period 1991-2001 is 9.86
per cent in comparison with the State figures of + 9.42 per cent.
The sex ratio of the district is 1068 females for 1000 males.
The District has achieved 84.31 per cent literacy in 2001 calculated
on the basis of population above the age of 7 years.
Climate
The district has a humid climate with a very
hot season extending from March to June in the Western Part of
the district whereas it is less humid in the Eastern sector. The
most important rainy season is during South West Monsoon which
sets the second week of June and extends upto September. About
75 per cent of the annual rain is received during the south west
monsoon period. During the period December to May, practically
no rain is received. The temperature of the district ranges from
20'C to 45'C. The maximum temperature recorded at Palakkad was
43'C.
Soil
The soil of Palakkad district is mainly of four
types, namely, peaty (kari), laterite, forest and black . Peaty
soil is found only in Thrithala firka of Ottappalam taluk. Laterite
is seen in the major portions of all taluks. Forest soil is confined
to Mannarghat and Ottappalam taluks, the narrow strip of land
along the western boundaries of Palakkad and Alathur taluks and
along the southern boundary of Chittur taluk. Black soil is seen
mostly in the eastern sector of Chittur taluk and a small portion
of Palakkad taluk.
