Malappuram

HISTORY

District  took its birth

on 16-6-1969 .

It is situated on the Calicut - Madras road, 12 km. south - west of Manjeri and 52 km. south - west of Calicut. Malappuram is the head quarters of the district. In earlier times, Malappuram was the head quarters of European and British troops and later it became the head quarters of the Malabar Special Police (M.S.P).

GEOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL FEATURE

Malappuram is a hilly terraced tract. The innumerable streams that meander these hills reach the coconut fringed and picturesque sea coast. In many places, these streams are linked with backwaters which facilitate a network of inland waterways. The midland region is fertile with thick coconut groves while the hilly tract has dense forests and extensive teak plantations apart being the source of innumerable streams and rivers.

IMPORTANT HILLS   Vavil or Vayutmala 2339.73 Metre Vellarimala 2335.58 Metre Chakkumala hills 600.46 Metre Urothmala 477.60 Metre Pandalur hills 610.20 Metre

IMPORTANT RIVERS

Chaliyar or Beypore river: Chaliyar or Beyore river, one of the major rivers of the State, takes its origin from Elembileri hills of Waynad taluk. Kadalundi River : Kadalundi river, also known as Karimpuzha or Oravanpurampuzha, originates from the Silent Valley reserve forests at an elevation of 1219 metres above the sea level. This river forms a part of the west coast navigation system from Palathigal in the south to Mannur in the north. It has a length of 130 metres with a catchment area of 1114 sq. km. Purapparamba River: Purapparamba, a small river of 8 Km., originates from the tail end of Purapparamba cut. It flows in the western direction and crosses the Madras - Mangalore railway line between Tanur and Parappanangadi station. The canoli canal connects this river with other rivers in the district. Tirur River : Raising from the Athvanad village of Tirur taluk, Tirur river (length 48 Km.) flows South-west up to Thiruvnavaya and flows upto Elamkulam in the north western direction. Then it turns south-west and finally joins Bharathapuzha to reach the sea near Ponnani. This river is navigable and motor boat can play between Tirur and Ponnani. It also forms part of west coast water transport system. Bharathapuzha : Bharathapuzha also known as Nila nadi or Ponnani river, has its source in the Anamalai hills at about 982 metres above the main sea level. After flowing through Pollachi taluk of Coimbatore District, it enters the Palakkad district of Kerala state. During its course, it forms the boundary between Palakkad and Trissur Districts. Sea - Coast : Sea - Coast of the district extends to 70 Km with a minor port at Ponnani. The Port is tidal since it is very shallow, most of the vessels have to be anchored out in the sea. There are large number of fishing centres on this coast line. Backwater and Canals : There are no major backwaters in this district. The Veliyancode lake situated 5 km South-east of Ponnani, opens to the sea at Veliyancode. A regulator is installed there to prevent the influence of salt water in to the lake. Maniyar kayal, Valancherry Kayal and Maravancherry kayal, all in ponnani taluk, are the other minor backwaters in the district.

TOWNS, VILLAGES AND AMENITIES

The district, at present comprises 6 taluks and 14 Development Blocks. It has 5 towns and 135 inhabited villages. The urban population of the district as percentage of total population, in the census years 1981 and 1991 is indicated below. It also shows the sex ratio (Females per 1000 Males) and density (population per sq. km.)in Urban population of the district in relation to the State:  Amenities : Number (with percentage ) of villages having one or more amenities in the district as per 1991 census follow:

SlNo.  Amenities No. of Inhabited Villages Percentage 1. Education 123 100.00 2. Medical 120 97.56 3. Drinking Water 123 100.00 4. Post & Telegraph 123 100.00 5. Market/Hat 30 24.39 6. Communication 122 99.37 7. Approach by pucca road 121 98.37 8. Power Supply 123 100.00

GEOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL FEATURE

Malappuram is a hilly terraced tract. The innumerable streams that meander these hills reach the coconut fringed and picturesque sea coast. In many places, these streams are linked with backwaters which facilitate a network of inland waterways. The midland region is fertile with thick coconut groves while the hilly tract has dense forests and extensive teak plantations apart being the source of innumerable streams and rivers.

IMPORTANT HILLS   Vavil or Vayutmala 2339.73 Metre Vellarimala 2335.58 Metre Chakkumala hills 600.46 Metre Urothmala 477.60 Metre Pandalur hills 610.20 Metre

IMPORTANT RIVERS

Chaliyar or Beypore river: Chaliyar or Beyore river, one of the major rivers of the State, takes its origin from Elembileri hills of Waynad taluk. Kadalundi River : Kadalundi river, also known as Karimpuzha or Oravanpurampuzha, originates from the Silent Valley reserve forests at an elevation of 1219 metres above the sea level. This river forms a part of the west coast navigation system from Palathigal in the south to Mannur in the north. It has a length of 130 metres with a catchment area of 1114 sq. km. Purapparamba River: Purapparamba, a small river of 8 Km., originates from the tail end of Purapparamba cut. It flows in the western direction and crosses the Madras - Mangalore railway line between Tanur and Parappanangadi station. The canoli canal connects this river with other rivers in the district. Tirur River : Raising from the Athvanad village of Tirur taluk, Tirur river (length 48 Km.) flows South-west up to Thiruvnavaya and flows upto Elamkulam in the north western direction. Then it turns south-west and finally joins Bharathapuzha to reach the sea near Ponnani. This river is navigable and motor boat can play between Tirur and Ponnani. It also forms part of west coast water transport system. Bharathapuzha : Bharathapuzha also known as Nila nadi or Ponnani river, has its source in the Anamalai hills at about 982 metres above the main sea level. After flowing through Pollachi taluk of Coimbatore District, it enters the Palakkad district of Kerala state. During its course, it forms the boundary between Palakkad and Trissur Districts. Sea - Coast : Sea - Coast of the district extends to 70 Km with a minor port at Ponnani. The Port is tidal since it is very shallow, most of the vessels have to be anchored out in the sea. There are large number of fishing centres on this coast line. Backwater and Canals : There are no major backwaters in this district. The Veliyancode lake situated 5 km South-east of Ponnani, opens to the sea at Veliyancode. A regulator is installed there to prevent the influence of salt water in to the lake. Maniyar kayal, Valancherry Kayal and Maravancherry kayal, all in ponnani taluk, are the other minor backwaters in the district.

TOWNS, VILLAGES AND AMENITIES

The district, at present comprises 6 taluks and 14 Development Blocks. It has 5 towns and 135 inhabited villages. The urban population of the district as percentage of total population, in the census years 1981 and 1991 is indicated below. It also shows the sex ratio (Females per 1000 Males) and density (population per sq. km.)in Urban population of the district in relation to the State:  Amenities : Number (with percentage ) of villages having one or more amenities in the district as per 1991 census follow:

SlNo.  Amenities No. of Inhabited Villages Percentage 1. Education 123 100.00 2. Medical 120 97.56 3. Drinking Water 123 100.00 4. Post & Telegraph 123 100.00 5. Market/Hat 30 24.39 6. Communication 122 99.37 7. Approach by pucca road 121 98.37 8. Power Supply 123 100.00

DISTRICT PROFILE

Malappuram (literally, a land a tops hills) is situated 50 kms south-east of Kozhikode, bounded by the Nilgiri Hills in the east, the Arabian sea in the west and Thrissur and Palakkad districts in the south. Malappuram is enriched by three great rivers flowing through it - the Chaliyar, the Kadalundi and the Bharathappuzha. Malappuram has a rich and eventful history. It was the military headquarters of the Zamorins of Kozhikode since ancient times. This district was the venue for many of the Mappila revolts (uprisings against the British East India Company in Kerala) between 1792 and 1921. It was a famous centre for Hindu - Vedic learning and Islamic philosophy and a place of cultural heritage.

Area 3350 sq kms Altitude Lowlands : Sea level Highlands 477 - 2340 m above sea level Population 3,629,640 Male 1,759,479 Female 1,870,161 Sex Ratio 1063 female per 1000 males Population Density 1022 Population details in the age Group 0 - 6 Male 268482 Female 262774 Total 531256 Spoken Language Malayalam Source 2001 Provisional Statistics Revenue Divisional Offices 2 Villages 135 Blocks 14 Panchayats 100 Municipalities 5

The temples and mosques of this district are well known for their spectacular festivals. Along with historic moments and diverse natural attractions, a range of cultural and ritual art forms add to its value as a destination worth visiting.