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Wayanad district

Coordinates:11°37′35″N76°5′20″E/ 11.62639°N 76.08889°E/11.62639; 76.08889(Wayanad Civil Station)
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This article is about the district in Kerala. For other uses, seeWayanad (disambiguation).

Wayanad district
District
Etymology: Vayal Nadu: land of paddy fields[1]
Motto:
"Way Beyond"[2]
Location within Kerala
Location within Kerala
Coordinates:11°37′35″N76°5′20″E/ 11.62639°N 76.08889°E/11.62639; 76.08889(Wayanad Civil Station)
CountryIndia
StateKerala
District Formation1980 November 1;43 years ago(1-11-1980)
HeadquartersKalpetta
Sub-division
Government
• BodyDistrict administration of Wayanad
•District CollectorD.R. Meghasree (IAS)
•District Police ChiefT. NarayananIPS
Area
• Total2,132 km2(823 sq mi)
• Rank12th
Highest elevation
(Vellarimala)
2,240 m (7,350 ft)
Lowest elevation
(Chali Puzha, Malappuram border)
108 m (354 ft)
Population
(2018)[3]
• Total846,637
• Density397/km2(1,030/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+05:30(IST)
STD Code4936, 4935
ISO 3166 codeIN-KL
Vehicle registrationKL-12Kalpetta,
KL-72Mananthavady,
KL-73Sultan Bathery,
KLW (1980–1989)[4]
HDI(2005)Increase0.753[5](High)
Websitewayanad.gov.in

Wayanad(Malayalam:[ʋɐjɐnaːɖɨ̆]) is adistrictin the north-east of theIndianstate ofKerala,with administrative headquarters at the municipality ofKalpetta.It is the onlyplateauin Kerala.[7]The Wayanad Plateau forms a continuation of theMysore Plateau,the southern portion of theDeccan Plateau.It is set high in theWestern Ghatswith altitudes ranging from 700 to 2,100 meters.[8]Vellari Mala, a 2,240 m (7,349 ft) high peak situated on the trijunction of Wayanad,Malappuram,andKozhikodedistricts, is the highest point in Wayanad district. The district was formed on 1 November 1980 as the 12th district in Kerala, by carving out areas fromKozhikodeandKannurdistricts. An area of 885.92 km2in the district is forested.[9]Wayanad has threemunicipal towns—Kalpetta,MananthavadyandSulthan Bathery.There are many indigenoustribesin this area.[10][11] TheKabini River,a tributary of theKaveri River,originates at Wayanad. Wayanad district, along with theChaliyarvalley in the neighbouringNilambur(EasternEranadregion) inMalappuram district,is known for naturalgoldfields,[12]which are also seen in other parts of theNilgiri Biosphere Reserve.TheChaliyarriver, which is the fourth longest river of Kerala, originates on the Wayanad plateau. The historically importantEdakkal Cavesare located in Wayanad district.

Wayanad district is bordered byKarnataka(Kodagu,ChamarajanagarandMysoredistricts) to the north and north-east,Tamil Nadu(Nilgiris district) to the south-east (it is the only district that shares border with both the neighbouring states of Kerala),Malappuramto the south,Kozhikodeto the south-west andKannurto the north-west.[13]Pulpallyin Wayanad boasts the onlyLava-Kushatemple in Kerala andVythirihas the only mirror temple in Kerala, which is aJaintemple. Varambetta mosque is the oldest Muslim mosque of Wayanad. Wayanad is famous for its role in theCotiote War,wherePazhassi Rajawith the help of theKurichyatribe in association with Hindus and Muslims of the Malabar region launched a revolt against the British. Kaniyambetta and Muttil Panchayaths are the centrally locatedPanchayathswith the best access from all corners of Wayanad, while Tavinjal Panchayath is on the northeast border with Kannur district. The edicts found in the caves ofAmbukuthi Malaare evidence that occupation dates from the beginning of the New Age Civilisation.[14]

Etymology

[edit]

The name 'Wayanad' is derived from 'vayal nāḍŭ' (Malayalam) which translates to 'the land ofpaddy fields' in English.[9]

Formation

[edit]
Topography of Wayanad onMysore Plateau

Wayanad district lies in theBayalu Seemeregion (highland) of theNilgiri Biosphere Reserve.Geographically it is similar to the neighbouring districts ofKodaguandMysoreofKarnataka,andNilgirisofTamil Nadu.Wayanad plateau forms a continuation of theMysore Plateau.[15]

During theBritish Raj,Wayanad was atalukin the erstwhileMalabar District.[16]The regions included in the taluks ofGudalurandPandalurin the present-dayNilgiris district,also known as Southeast Wayanad, formed part of the erstwhile Wayanad taluk.[17]Southeast Wayanad was part of Malabar District until 31 March 1877, when it was transferred to the neighbouringNilgiris districtdue to the heavy population of Malabar and the small area of Nilgiris.[17]Wayanad was a separate revenue division within theMalabar Districtuntil 1924.[18]

During the States Reorganisation of 1956 after the independence of India, theMysore state(present-dayKarnataka) claimed Wayanad due to its historical and geographical peculiarities. However the linguistic survey of the 1951 census of India found that 87.5% of the total population of Wayanad were native speakers ofMalayalamat that time, while just 6.2% of the total population spokeKannada.[19]

On 1 January 1957, the erstwhile Malabar District was divided into three: Kannur, Kozhikode, and Palakkad.[20]On the same day Wayanad taluk was split up into North Wayanad and South Wayanad.[21]Initially both of the taluks of Wayanad were included in newly formed Kannur district.[21]However, two months later on 15 March 1957, South Wayanad taluk was transferred intoKozhikode district.[20]The North Wayanad Taluk was transferred to Kozhikode district on 1 January 1979.[22]

Wayanad district was formed by incorporating the taluks of North Wayanad and South Wayanad on 1 November 1980 as the 12thdistrict of Kerala.[23]On the same date, North Wayanad Taluk was renamed asMananthavady,and South Wayanad was split to form the taluks ofSultan BatheryandVythiri.[22]KalpettainVythiritaluk became the headquarters of the new district.[22]

History

[edit]
See also:History of Wayanad
Veera Kerala VarmaPazhassi Raja,painting byRaja Ravi Varma

Pre-history

[edit]

Historians believe that human settlements have existed in these parts from at least 1,000 BCE. Much evidence ofNew Stone Agecivilisation can be seen in the hills throughout the present-day Wayanad district. TheEdakkal Caveshave 6000-year-old rock engravings from theNeolithicage. The recorded history of this district is available only from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe.[24]

Ezhimala kingdom

[edit]
Main article:Ezhimala
See also:Mushika dynasty

In the earliest part of the recorded history of Wayanad District, Kasaragod-Kannur-Wayanad-Kozhikode Districts in the northern part of present-day Kerala were ruled by the Nannans (Mushika dynasty) who later came to be known as theKolathiris.[25][26]Politically the area was part of the Ezhimala Kingdom, with its capital at Ezhimala in present-day Kannur district. The most famous king of Ezhimala was Nannan, whose kingdom extended up toGudalur, Nilgirisand northern parts ofCoimbatore.It is said that Nannan took refuge in the Wayanad hills in the 5th century CE when he was lost toCheras,just before his death in battle, according to theSangam works.[15]Wayanad was part of the Karkanad, which included the eastern regions of the Ezhimala kingdom (Wayanad-Gudalurareas including part ofKodagu(Coorg)).[15]Karkanad along with Poozhinadu, which contained much of the coastal belt wedged between Mangalore and Kozhikode was under Ezhimala kingdom with a headquarters at Ezhimala.

Some linguists say that an inscription found in theEdakkal Cavesin Wayanad, from the 3rd century CE (approximately 1,800 years old), is the oldest known inscription inMalayalam,as it contains two modern Malayalam words,Ee(this) andpazhama(old). HistorianM. R. Raghava Varier,a specialist in Edakkal cave inscriptions, stated that this would be a 'dangerous interpretation of the script'.[27]Varier, who discovered the inscription read it as 'Sri Vazhumi' meaning 'Sri Brahma' in Tamil and dated it to 3rd–4th century CE, whereas Vedachalam, read it as 'Vazhumi' and dated it to 5th–6th century CE.[28]

Kolathunadu

[edit]
Main article:Kolathunadu

TheMooshaka kingswere considered descendants of Nannan. By the 14th century,Mooshaka Kingdomwas known as Kolathirinad and its rulers asKolathiris.The Kolathunad Kingdom at the peak of its power reportedly extended from the Netravati River(Mangalore) in the north[29]to Korapuzha (Kozhikode) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west andKodaguhills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands ofLakshadweepin Arabian Sea.[30]

Kingdom of Kottayam

[edit]
See also:Kingdom of Kottayam

TheKolathiriDominion emerged into independent 10 principalities i.e.,Kadathanadu(Vadakara),Randatharaor Poyanad (Dharmadom),Kottayam(Thalassery),Nileshwaram,Iruvazhinadu (Panoor),Kurumbranadetc., under separate royal chieftains due to the outcome of internal dissensions.[15][31]TheNileshwaramdynasty on the northernmost part ofKolathiridominion, were relatives to bothKolathunaduas well asZamorinofCalicut,in the early medieval period.[32]

The origin ofKottayam royal family(the Kottayam referred here isKottayam-MalabarnearThalassery,not to be confused withKottayamin Southern Kerala) is lost in obscurity. It has been stated that the Raja of Kottayam set up a semi-independent principality of his own at the expense of Kolathiris. In the 10th century CE, the region comprised erstwhile Taluks of Kottayam, Wayanad and Gudallur was calledPuraikizhanadand its feudal lordPuraikizhars.TheThirunellyinscriptions refer to the division of Puraikizhar family into two branches viz., Elder (Muthukur) and Younger (Elamkur) in the beginning of the 11th century. In the 17th centuryKottayam-Malabarwas the capital of Puraikizhanad (Puranattukara) Rajas. It was divided into three branches i.e., Eastern, Western and Southern under separate dignitaries known as Mootha, Elaya and Munnarkur Rajas. The Kottayam Rajas extended their influence up to the border ofKodagu.By the end of the 17th century, they shared the area ofThalasserytaluk with the Iruvazhinadu Nambiars and were in possession of North Wayanad and the small Village ofThamarasserywhich formed the Eastern portion of the present Vadakara, Quilandy and Thamarassery taluks.[15]

Thamarassery pass which connects Wayanad with the city ofKozhikodewas laid in the 18th century byTipu Sultan,the ruler ofMysore. In 930 AD, emperor Erayappa ofGanga dynastyled his troops to south west of Mysore and after conquering, called itBayalnadmeaning the land of swamps. After Erayappa, his sons Rachamalla and Battunga fought each other for the new kingdom of their father's legacy. Rachamalla was killed and Battunga became the undisputed ruler of Bayalnad. In the 12th century CE, Gangas were dethroned from Bayalnad byKadamba dynasty[33]of North Canara.[34]In 1104 CE, Vishnuvardhana ofHoysalainvaded Bayalnad followed byVijayanagaradynasty in the 16th century. In 1610 CE, Udaiyar Raja Wadiyar of Mysore drove out Vijayanagara General and became the ruler of Bayalnad and the Nilgiris. This Bayalnad is the native Kannada name from which Wayanad, its Malayali version, the present name of the district, is derived.

The Early Kadambas

[edit]
Main article:Kadamba dynasty

Historian Sanu Kainikara states that with the end of theSangam period,the 4th and 5th centuries brought trouble for theCheras(who ruled entire Kerala and Kanyakumari District and adjoining areas), in that they lost control over some parts of Kerala which included Wayanad District due to the growing Kadamba power and superiority. This is indicated by the Kadamba inscriptions inEdakal cavesof Wayanad.

A contemporaryBuddhistwork claims that theKalabhraking Achuta Vikkanta defeated the 3 traditional southern dynasties – Pandya, Chera, and Chola, and even held all their three kings captive. For nearly five centuries, from 5th–10th century CE, the Cheras were reduced to the status of insignificant rulers due to their inability to avoid foreign invasions. They barely clung on to power with very minimal territory and had to survive at the mercy of their northern powerful imperial empires from Karnataka like theKadambas,theBadami Chalukyas,theRashtrakutasand theKalyani Chalukyas,who invaded and moved through their realm as and when they pleased.[35]

The Kutumbiyas (Kudumbiyas)

[edit]
Thamarassery Churam

The two caves of Ampukuthimala (Edakal Caves) inSulthan Bathery,with pictures on their walls and pictorial writings, speak volumes of a bygone civilisation. At the foot of the Edakal Male (hill) caves,Kannadainscriptions belonging to Canarese chieftain Vishnu Varma of Kutumbiya (Kudumbiya) clan of Mysore dating to c. 5th century CE were discovered which read –Palapulitaanamtakaari(orPala pulinânam ta-kâri),Sri Vishnu Varma Kutumbiya Kulavardhanasya li..it..a..As per Hultzch, a Chennai epigraphist, it speaks of the glorious descendant of Kutumbiya clan, Kannada chieftain, Vishnu Varma, as one who killed many tigers.[36][37][38]

The Badami Chalukyas

[edit]
Main article:Chalukya dynasty

The inscriptions of theBadami Chalukyasunder their founding emperorPulakeshin I(reign c. 540-567 CE), claim to have defeated the Cheras and theEzhil Malairulers, which could be aPandya dynastyreference, and also annexed the entireMalabarregion to their empire. ThePandya,CheraandCholapowers strategised and combinedly attacked the Chalukyas as an alliance in order to avoid repeated reversals.[citation needed]

However, the confederacy was defeated and the Chera king was forced to pay a heavier price, in tribute and indemnity, than his two allies for their misadventure as the Chalukyas had gotten to know the identities of the persons responsible for forming the confederacy.[citation needed]

The (Western) Gangas

[edit]
Main article:Western Ganga dynasty

The recorded history of the Wayanad district exists only from the 10th century onward. In 930 CE, emperor Erayappa of Ganga dynasty led his troops to south west of Mysore and after conquering, called it Bayalnad meaning the land of swamps. After Erayappa, his sons Rachamalla and Battunga fought each other for the new kingdom of their father's legacy. Rachamalla was killed and Battunga became the undisputed ruler of Bayalnad.[39]

The Later Kadambas

[edit]
Main article:Kadamba dynasty

In the 11th century AD, Gangas were dethroned from Bayalnad byKadamba dynasty[40]of North Canara.[41]Wayanad, called Bayalnad (Kannada) since beginning, was at that time divided into two portions – Bira Bayalnad and Chagi Bayalnad. One of the Mysore inscriptions (alluding perhaps to the treacherous beauty of the country, which attracted the stranger and then laid him low with malaria) says"an adulteress with black waving curls, as adulteress with full-moon face, an adulteress with endless side-glances, an adulteress with adorned slim figure was this storeyed mansion, the double Bayalnad".[42]

Kadamba Bayalnad rule emerged in the 11th century under the chief Raviyammarasa with Kirttipura, Punnad, as its capital. Kanthirava (1090 CE) was described as ruling Chagi-Bayalnad. Iravi-Challamma (1108 CE) was the ruler of Bira-Bayalnad.[43]

The Western Chalukyas (Kalyani Chalukyas)

[edit]
Main article:Western Chalukya Empire

Under emperorTailapa II(973–997 CE) many Jain Basthis were built in south India. The Jain centres and agricultural villages of Wayanad came in to existence during this time. There are many proofs, which justify the existence of Jainism in Wayanad.[44]

The Hoysalas

[edit]
Main article:Hoysala Empire

In 1104 CE Vishnuvardhana ofHoysalainvaded Bayalnad and Nilgiris and annexed them followed byVijayanagaradynasty in the 14th century. A Kadamba king, Mukkanna-Kadamba ruled Bayal-nad in and around 1138 CE.[45]

The Vijayanagara empire

[edit]
Main article:Vijayanagara Empire

A feudatory chieftain of Sangama dynasty of Vijaynagar, Immadi Kadamba Raya Vodeyayya of Bayalnad Kadambas, is said to have ruled Bayalnad.[43]

The Mysore Wodeyars and the Sultans

[edit]
Main article:Kingdom of Mysore

In 1610 CE Udaiyar Raja Wadiyar of Mysore drove out Vijayanagara General and became the ruler of Bayalnad and the Nilgiris. Bayalnad is the present Wayanad.

An inscription discovered from a Jain Basti at Varadur near Panamaram dated to Saka era 1606 which is 1684 CE, shows that Jainism was still very powerful even in the 17th century. The inscription which was noticed by noted epigraphist and historian M. R. Raghava Varriar, has reference about the earliest Jain settlements and temples in Wayanad. The copper plate inscription which was placed under a water fountain at Varadur Ananthanatha Swami temple deals with the grant of various ritual materials to the Jain Basathis of Wayanad by Lalithappa, the younger son of Bommarasa of the Karkala Aremane Basathi.

The Kannada inscription dated Sakavarsha 1606 (i.e., 1684 CE) Rakthakshi Samvatsara Jeshtabahula Shukravara reads:Karkala aremane basthiya bommarasanu mommaga lalithappanu devapooje chinna belli thamra kanchu upakaranagalu madisi kotta bibara.

The Jain Chaithyalayas or temples referred in the inscription are Arepathra, Bennegodu, Palagondu, Hanneradubeedhi, Puthangadi (Muthangadi) and Hosangadi. The Arepathra Chaityalaya is not yet identified. It is believed that it was at the hilltop near to the Panamaram river. The other Kannada touch place names are identified with their present Malayalam version names as Venniyode, Palukunnu, Sultan Batheri, Puthangadi and Mananthavady respectively.[46][47]Raghava Varriar says that there were seven Jain centres in Wayanad viz. Manikyapuri, Ksheerapuri, Kalpathi, Vennayode, Palagondu, Hosangadi and Hanneradubeedhi. It is believed that Manikyapuri was at the present day Manichira. The location of Ksheerapuri is not yet identified. Kalpathi may be Kalpetta, the present day Wayanad district headquarters, Anjukunnu was then Hanjugondu, etc.[48]

When Wayanad was underHyder Ali's rule, the ghat road from Vythiri to Thamarassery was constructed.[49]Then the British rulers developed this route to Carter road.[50]When Wayanad was under Tipu Sultan's rule British invasion started. Tussle and turbulent times followed. The British claimed Wayanad under the 1792 treaty ofSrirangapatnaciting it was part of Malabar.Tipu Sultanwent in appeal before thegovernor general.Considering his arguments, relying on the successive Karnataka rule for centuries in Wayanad and its geographical detachment from Malabar, in 1798, Governor GeneralLord Morningtondeclared by proclamation[51]that Wayanad had not been ceded to the East India Company by the treaty of 1792. Consequently, the British troops withdrew from Wayanad conceding to Tipu's rule.

Mysore Sultans

[edit]
See also:Kingdom of Mysore

When Wayanad was underHyder Ali's rule, the ghat road fromVythiritoThamarasserywas invented.[49]Then the British rulers developed this route to Carter road.[50]After Hyder Ali, his sonTipu Sultantook control over the territory.

Colonial era

[edit]
See also:Malabar District
An old map of Malabar District (1854). Note that the taluksPandalur,Gudalur,andKundahin present-dayNilgiris districtwere parts ofWayanadTaluk in 1854. TheTaluksof Malabar were rearranged in 1860 and 1877.[22]

Initially the British had to suffer local resistance against their rule under the leadership ofKerala Varma Pazhassi Raja,who had popular support inThalassery-Wayanad region.[52]In the end, the British could get only the dead body of the Rajah, who killed himself somewhere in the interior of the forest. Thus, Wayanad fell into the hands of the British and with it came a new turn in the home of this area. The British authorities opened up the plateau to the cultivation of tea and other cash crops by constructing roads across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad, toKozhikodeandThalassery.Later, they extended these new roads to the cities ofMysoreandOotythrough Gudalur. Settlers emigrated from all parts of Kerala and the fecund lands proved a veritable goldmine with incredible yields of cash crops. Agriculture Cultivation started broadly after 1900 A.D onwards.

Post-Independence

[edit]

Wayanad eventually became part of Kerala despite its geographical delimitations and political descent in 1956 on State's reorganisation. Even now there is a considerable Kannada speaking population and the reminiscence of centuries old Karnataka rule is omnipresent in Wayanad. Agriculture Cultivation started broadly after 1900 A.D onwards. The British authorities opened up the plateau to cultivation of tea and other cash crops by constructing roads across the dangerous slopes of Wayanad, toKozhikodeandThalassery.Later, they extended these new roads to the cities ofMysoreandOotythrough Gudalur. Settlers emigrated from all parts of Kerala and the fecund lands proved a veritable goldmine with incredible yields of cash crops.

When the State of Kerala came into being in November 1956, Wayanad was part ofKannurdistrict. Later, south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district. To fulfil the aspirations of the people of Wayanad for development, North Wayanad and South Wayanad were carved out and joined to form the present district of Wayanad. This district came into being on 1 November 1980 as one of the twelve districts of Kerala,[53]consisting of threetaluks;Vythiri,Mananthavady,andSulthan Bathery.

In 2024,landslides in Wayanadkilled at least 336 people and 78 are missing.[54][55][56][a]Many of the people killed were workers in the farms, or were members of their families.[60]

Geography

[edit]
Wayanad scenery on NH 766 Kozhikode-Kollegal
Pozhuthana
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad district stands on the southern tip of the Deccan plateau and includes part of theWestern Ghats.The western parts of the district borderingKozhikode districtconsists of the Western Ghats covered with dense forest. The district forms a part of the south westernDeccan plateau,and is sloped to the east. Quite a large area of the district is covered by forest but the continued and indiscriminate exploitation of thenatural resourcespoint towards an imminent[61]environmentalcrisis. There are a lot of trekking points in this district. Chembra Peak (2,100m) is the highest peak in the Wayanad district.Banasura Hill(2,079m) is also similar to height ofChembra Hill.Brahmagiri Hill is also another trekking point in Wayanad.

Wayanad district is bounded by protected area network of different biological reserves such asMalabar Wildlife Sanctuaryin the West,Mudumalai National Parkin the South,Bandipur National Parkin the East,Nagarhole National Parkin the North East,Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuaryin the North andAralam Wildlife Sanctuaryin North West which is linked withWayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

The district has rich water resources. There are east flowing and west flowing rivers in the region. One of the major rivers in the district isKabini River,a tributary of RiverKaveri;it is also one of the only three east flowing rivers in Kerala. Kabani has many tributaries including Thirunelli River, Panamaram River and Mananthavady River. All these rivulets help form a rich water resource as well as a distinct landscape for the district. Various streams flow into the Panamaram rivulet while it passes through the mountain gorges and finally the river falls down into Panamaram Valley. After flowing through the district for a certain distance, River Panamaram joins Mananthavady River, which originates from the lower regions of the peak called 'Thondarmudi'.[62]

Banasura Sagar Dam

[edit]

Banasura Sagar Damacross the Karamanathodu River, a tributary of River Kabini, in Kalpetta, is considered to be the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia. The dam is ideally placed in the foothills of Banasura hills, which got its name from 'Banasura', the son of King Mahabali, the famous ruler of Kerala. The dam here was constructed on behalf of the Banasurasagar project in 1979, to support the Kakkayam Hydroelectric power project and to meet the water demand for irrigation and drinking purposes. The dam, located around 21 km away from Kalpetta is a tourist destination in Wayanad. Banasura dam is made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders.[63]

Karapuzha Dam

[edit]

Karapuzha Damis considered to be one of the biggest earth dams in India, which has been constructed on the Karapuzha River, a tributary of the Kabini River. Vazhavatta in Vythiri taluk of Wynad district for providing irrigation to an area of 5580 ha (CCA) say 5600 hectare in Vythiri and Sultan Bathery taluks of Wynad district of Kerala. The reservoir has a gross storage capacity of 76.50 M Cum and live storage capacity of 72.00 M Cum.[64]

Flora and fauna

[edit]

The soil and climate of Wayanad are suitable for horticulture on a commercial basis. For promoting the cultivation of vegetables and establishing orchards, the Kerala Agricultural University is running a regional Agricultural Research Station at Ambalavayal.

Elephant, bear and other wild animals from the neighbouring wild life sanctuaries of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, stray into the Begur forest range and the forests around Muthanga, which is 20 kilometres away from the town of Sultan Bathery.

Franky's narrow-mouthed frogwas recently discovered in Wayanad district.[65][66]The Wayanad laughingthrush is named after this region, but unlike other South Indian laughingthrushes, has a wide distribution through the Western Ghats.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
190175,149—
191182,549+0.94%
192184,771+0.27%
193191,769+0.80%
1941106,350+1.49%
1951169,280+4.76%
1961275,255+4.98%
1971413,850+4.16%
1981554,026+2.96%
1991672,128+1.95%
2001780,619+1.51%
2011817,420+0.46%
source:[67]
Religions in Wayanad district (2011)[68]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 49.48%
Islam
 
 28.65%
Christianity
 
 21.34%
Other or not stated
 
 0.53%

It is the least populous district in Kerala. Unlike the other districts of Kerala, in Wayanad district, there is no town or village named same as the district (i.e., there is no "Wayanad town" ).

According to the2018 Statistics Report,Wayanad district had apopulationof 846,637,[3]roughly equal to the nation ofComoros.[69]2011 Census of Indiagives district a ranking of 482nd in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 397 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,030/sq mi). 3.86% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 3.87% and 18.86% of the population respectively.[70]This is the highest SC/ST percentage in all of Kerala.[71]

Paniyas,Uraali Kurumas, andKurichiyanscomprise the tribes in Wayanad.Badagasare present in 21 hamlets spread across Wayanad.[72]The entire Wayanad plateau and all the hilly regions above the plains (above 500m MSL altitude) above the Western Ghats fell under theKannadaspeaking area as per the linguistic survey and history byColonel Mark Wilks.[73][74][75][76][77]

Languages of Wayanad district (2011)[78]

Malayalam(90.64%)
Paniya(1.82%)
Tamil(1.11%)
Kannada(0.91%)
Others (5.52%)

At the time of the 2011 census, 90.64% of the population spokeMalayalam,1.82%Paniya,1.11%Tamiland 0.91%Kannadaas their first language.[78]

On 22 May 2019, The Election Commission open its first warehouse in the State for the storage of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines atSulthan Bathery.[79]

Tribes in Wayanad

[edit]

The Wayanad have the largest tribal population in Kerala with 8 scheduled tribes including Adiyan, Paniyan, Mullukkurman, Kurichyan, Vettakkuruman, Wayanad Kadar, Kattuniakkan and Thachaanadan Mooppan. These communities have a number of symbolic oral narratives[80]

Adiyan: Adiyans are a matrilineal Tribal group, who were treated as bonded slave labourers by the landlords up to 1976. Now the majority of them are agricultural labourers and some of them are marginal agriculturalist. They spoke Adiya language as their mother tongue.[80]

Kattuniakkan: A particularly Vulnerable Tribal group of Wayanad. Jenu Kurumban and Ten Kurumban are the synonyms used for the Kattunayakan community. They spoke Kattunaikka language a dialect of Kannada and Malayalam. They are patrilineal and a forest dwelling, hunting and gathering community. This is the largest population among PVTG in Kerala with a total population of19995 (Male- 9953, Female-10042)[80]

Kurichyan: They are the second largest community among Scheduled Tribes with a total population of 35909 (Male- 18129, Female-17780)[80]

Mullukkurman: A patrilineal and patrilocal tribal agriculturalist community found in Wayanad. The community members are expert in hunting and their spoken language is Mullukkuruma language. The total population is 21375 (Male- 10625, female-10750)[80]

Paniyan: A patrilineal slave tribe community until the 1976 Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act,[81]distributed in Wayanad,Kannur,KozhikodeandMalappuram.They are the largest single tribal community with a population of 92787 (Male-45112, female- 47675). Their language is a dialect known as Paniya Language and nowadays they are agricultural labourers[80]

Thachaanadan Mooppan: Thachaanadan Mooppan is a matrilineal community. In earlier days they were shifting cultivators and hunters. Nowadays they earn through agricultural labour work. Known for their expertise in carpentry and basket making, their total population is 1649, and consists of 814 males and 835 females.[80]

Vettakkuruman: Vettakkuruman also a patrilineal tribal community. Their language is known as Bettakkuruma language. The population of Vettakuruman is 6482 consisting of 3193 males and 3289 females.[80]

Wayanad Kadar: They are found in Kozhikkode and Wayanad district and entirely a different generic stock from Kaders of Cochin. They are matrilineal marginal tribes with a population of 673 consists of 348 males and 325 females.[80]

Government and politics

[edit]

Administration

[edit]
Main article:Political Divisions of Wayanad
Taluks of Wayanad District
Local bodies in Wayanad District
  • District Headquarters:Kalpetta.District Collector, District Police Chief and District Judge are based at Kalpetta.
  • 3[82]

Revenue administration

[edit]

District administration, Collectorate, is headquartered atKalpetta.The district administration is headed by aDistrict Collector,who is anIndian Administrative Serviceofficer. For the purpose of revenue administration, Wayanad district is divided into revenue divisions, taluks, and revenue villages. The Revenue Divisional Office is atMananthavady,which is headed by aSub Collectoror Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), who is also theSub-divisional magistrate.There are 3 taluks in total:Mananthavady,Vythiri,andSulthan Bathery.Each taluk office is headed by aTehsildar,who is also the executive magistrate of thattaluk.These three taluks contain 49 revenue villages under their jurisdiction. Theserevenue villagesis further divided into amsoms and desams for revenue purpose.

Police administration

[edit]

Wayanad District Police falls under Kannur Range which comes under North Zone.

The Wayanad district police is headquartered inKalpetta.It is headed by a District Police Chief (DPC), anIPSofficer of the Kerala cadre, holding the rank ofSuperintendent of Police(SP). For the maintenance of law and order, the Wayanad police district is divided into 3 police subdivisions:Kalpetta,Mananthavady,andSultan Bathery,with 17 police stations in total. Each subdivision is headed by aDeputy Superintendent of Police(DYSP) and consists of several police stations under its jurisdiction. Each police station is headed by anInspector of Policeor sub-inspector designated as thestation house officer(SHO).[83]

Other special units/cells include the District Special Branch, District Crime Branch, District Crime Records Bureau, and Narcotic Cell, each headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy.SP).

Judiciary

[edit]

The Kalpetta Judicial District was established on 15 December 1984, following the formation of the Wayanad District on 1 November 1980.[84]Kalpatta judicial district is headed by aPrincipal District and Sessions Judgeand consists the following courts under its jurisdiction;

Court complexKalpatta:

Court complexMananthavady:

  • Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Mananthavady
  • Judicial First Class Magistrate Court II, Mananthavady
  • SC/ST Special Court, Mananthavady

Court complex,Sulthan Bathery:

  • Munsiff magistrate court, Mananthavady
  • Sub-court, Sulthan Bathery
  • Judicial First Class Magistrate-I
  • Judicial First Class Magistrate-II

Local self-governments

[edit]

Panchayats

[edit]

For the purpose of rural governance, the Wayanad District Panchayat functions at thedistrictlevel, headquartered inKalpatta.Wayanad district panchayat is governed by elected council, headed by president and vice president. The district panchayat consists 16 divisions and each represented by a elected member. Thedistrict panchayatis at the helm for the development of rural areas in the district.

There are 4Block Panchayatsforblock-level governance and 23Gram Panchayatsfor village or group-of-village-level governance. These panchayats are governed by elected councils, headed by presidents and vice presidents respectively. The block panchayats/block development offices areKalpatta,Mananthavady,Panamaram,Sulthan Bathery.[85]

Municipalities

[edit]

For urban governance, there are three municipalities for the major towns:Kalpetta,Mananthavady,andSultan Bathery.These municipalities are governed by the elected municipal councils, headed by a chairperson and vice chairperson.

Electoral constituencies

[edit]

Wayanad Lok Sabha constituencyis currently vacant. It was represented byMPRahul Gandhi. T Siddiqueis the MLA fromKalpetta (State Assembly constituency),elected in the2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election.Sulthan Bathery (State Assembly constituency)is represented byI. C. Balakrishnan.Mananthavady (State Assembly constituency)is represented byO. R. Kelu.

Member of Parliament (MP)
Portrait Name Constituency Party Alliance
1 Seat is empty as of August 2024 Wayanad
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)[86]
1 T. Siddique Kalpetta Indian National Congress UDF
2 I. C. Balakrishnan Sultan Bathery Indian National Congress UDF
3 O. R. Kelu Mananthavady CPI (M) LDF
Kerala Legislative AssemblyConstituencies from The Wayanad district (3)
Sl no. Constituency Member Party Alliance
1 Kalpetta T. Siddique INC UDF
2 Sulthan Bathery I. C. Balakrishnan INC UDF
3 Mananthavady O. R. Kelu CPI(M) LDF

Major towns

[edit]

The major towns of the district include:

Tourism

[edit]
Main article:Tourist attractions in Wayanad

The District has more than 20 destinations. The District Tourism Promotion Council, (DTPC) of Wayanad that functions under the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala is responsible for all tourism related activities in the district.[87]

Transport

[edit]
Main article:Transportation in Wayanad

TheKozhikode–KollegalNational Highway 766(formerly NH 212) passes through Wayanad district. En route to Mysore on NH 212, past Wayanad district boundary, which is also the Kerala state boundary, NH 766 passes throughBandipur National Park.The nearest airport to Wayanad isCalicut International Airport,also known as Kozhikode International Airport, which is located about 90 km away.[88]

Education

[edit]
See also:List of educational institutions in Wayanad district

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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Notes

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  1. ^[57][58][59]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toWayanad district.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forWayanad District.
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