Kattappana

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Kattappana
A distant view of Kattappana town
A distant view of Kattappana town
Kattappana is located in Kerala
Kattappana
Kattappana
Location in Kerala, India
Kattappana is located in India
Kattappana
Kattappana
Kattappana (India)
Coordinates: 09°45′15″N 77°06′57″E / 9.75417°N 77.11583°E / 9.75417; 77.11583Coordinates: 09°45′15″N 77°06′57″E / 9.75417°N 77.11583°E / 9.75417; 77.11583
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictIdukki
Named forSpices
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyKattappana Municipality
 • Municipal ChairmanJoy Vettikuzhy
Area
 • Total61.32 km2 (23.68 sq mi)
Elevation
1,000 - 1,100 m (−2,600 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total42,646
 • Density700/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
685508 (Head post office,Kattappana), 685515 (Kattappana south)
Telephone code04868
Vehicle registrationKL-06 (Idukki)
KL-37 (Vandiperiyar)
KL-69 (Udumbanchola)
Nearest citiesKottayam, Kochi, Madurai
Literacy92%
Lok Sabha constituencyIdukki
Sex ratio1016 /
Websitehttps://www.kattappana.org

Kattappana is a municipal town in the Sahyadri (or Western Ghats) of Kerala state, India. It is the main urban centre in the high ranges of Idukki district, situated about 2,788.71–2,952.76 feet (850.00–900.00 m) above mean sea level, in the High Ranges, the high altitude region of Kerala has recently raised to the status of municipality. Kattappana is a class III urban centre. It is the first municipality in high range of Idukki district with the real mountainous touch of Idukki as Thodupuzha municipality is situated in low range. It is a major commercial town and flourished with the boost in production of agriculture and spices. Thopramkudy is the nearest town.

People migrated to this place mainly during 1950s from different parts of nearby townships like Pala, Kottayam etc. However, there were inhabitants even before 100 years. The main occupation is cultivation of commercial crops and spices like tea, coffee, pepper, cardamom, black pepper, and the majority of them are farmers.[1] One of the anchor institutions in Kattappana is St. John's Hospital. When it was started in 1968, it was one of the main hospitals in a 100-km radius. Managed by the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, the hospital has grown to a tertiary level of 450 - bedded multi-speciality hospital with sixteen clinical disciplines. Even today, it is the only tertiary level referral center in this area.[2]

Municipal administration[edit]

Previously, Kattappana was included in the Udumbanchola tehsil (taluk) of Idukki district and was later included in the newly formed Idukki tehsil (taluk). In 1962, it became a grama panchayath and the first council was held under the presidentship of V.T Sebastian in 1964.[3] It was officially declared as municipality by the state government on 1 November 2015. It became the second municipality in the district, while Thodupuzha became the first one within the low ranges. The first municipal chairman was Mr. Johny Kulampallil and the current municipal chairperson is Ms Beena Joby. [4]

It is one of the more important commercial centre in the high ranges and was on a fast track in terms of development and infrastructure building. Kattappana became a grama panchayat in 1962 and the first panchayat council under the presidency of V.T. Sebastian was formed in 1964. However, it was the development of the Kottayam–Kattappana road and the Puliyanmala–Thodupuzha State highway that turned the town into a commercial centre. It was the agriculture sector that played a pivotal role in economically uplifting the town

Demographics[edit]

As of 2011 Census, Kattappana had a population of 42,646, with 21,159 males and 21,487 females. Kattappana has an area of 61.32 km2 (23.68 sq mi) with 10,419 families residing in it. In Kattappana, 10.3% was under 6 years of age. The Scheduled Castes (SC) were 6% of the total population and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) were 1.23%. Kattappana had an average literacy of 95.25% higher than the state average of 94%.[5]

Agriculture[edit]

Pepper, the king of spices
Cardomom plant

Kattappana is the center for spices trade and the primary producer of cardamom[6] and black pepper. The main occupation of people of Kattappana is agriculture. A specific type Njallani high yielding variety of cardamom, was developed in Kattappana. It is also the centre of production and marketing of coffee, cocoa and ginger. There are also several reputed tea plantations (Tata Tea, A V Thomas & Co, Malayalam Plantations, Kannan Devan etc.) in adjoining areas of the district.

Spices Board (erstwhile Cardamom Board under Government of India) has an office in Kattappana. A Spices Park is established at Puttadi near Kattappana. Cardamom Research Institute is situated at Pampadumpara.[citation needed]

Njallani high yielding variety of cardamom was developed by Sebastian Joseph Njallani of Kattappana, who migrated to Kattappana in 1952.[7]

But still there are people who has not received pattayam for their land.

Climate[edit]

The climate of Kattappana falls under the Köppen climate classification. The place normally experiences a moderate climate. The humidity rises from the month of March to April and mid May. The average annual temperature here is 23 °C. The months of June, July, August and October receives significant amount of rainfall. November and December are the coldest months in the year.

Notable Personalities[edit]

  • Late Bro. Forthunatus Thanhauser OH (Servant of God)
  • Fr Francis Dominic OFM (Founder, Assisi Snehashram)
  • Dr Anil Pradeep K (Doctor)
  • Edamanakkunnel Mathai Augusthy (Ex MLA)
  • Joy Vettikuzhi (Chairman, Kattappana Municipality)
  • Cartoonist Sajidas mohan (National award winner)
  • Ambi Neenasam (Actor, Malayalam Cinema)

Healthcare[edit]

St. John's Hospital Kattappana is a leading hospital in Idukki District. It is owned and managed by the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God. It is located 1.5 km from the heart of the town and has a full range of modern facilities. An institution named St. John College of Nursing is attached to the hospital for nursing and paramedical education, offering 4 year B.Sc. Nursing Course (affiliated to MG University) and also General Nursing & Midwifery License course approved by the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council.

St.John's Hospital, Kattappana was started in 1968 by Bro. Fortunatus Thanhauser, a Polish missionary, who adopted Kattappana as his home from 1967 until his death in 2005. He came to Kattappana, India in January 1967 to serve "an underdeveloped region of mostly illegal new settlements of landless poor in government forests".[12]

Theni Medical College in Tamil Nadu is around 70 km from Kattappana and is a closer destination than any other medical college in Kerala. Kottayam Medical College is the next nearest medical college for Kattappana residents. There is a Government-run District Hospital in Pynave, Idukki.

Another major hospital in Kattappana is Co-operative Hospital near the town bus stand. Its also equipped with all major departments and facilities.

Other hospitals functioning in Kattappana are Anchana Hospital and Bala Hospital (both near Pulianmala Road), Christy Hospital (Idukki kavala), Saro Hospital (Erattayar Road, near IHRD College), the Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Kattappana, Government Homeo Hospital, Kattappana and Government Hospital (Allopathy), 20 Acre, Kattappana. Land has recently been acquired for a new multi speciality hospital near State Bank junction.

Population Analysis[edit]

The current population of Kattappana town are mostly descendants of migrants who migrated to the area in early 1950s, when the area was forest land. The town has large population of Syrian Catholic families who migrated to Kattappana in early 1950s from Central Travancore.[8] The migrations were majorly from Pala, Chenganassery and Kanjirapally taluks of Kottayam district and Pathanamthitta. Apart from the Catholics, the Nadar, Viswakarma, Nair, and Ezhava communities also make up a good part of the population. The landmark of the town is an edifice dedicated to Narayana Guru. There are also Muslim families and the Juma Masjid caters to their religious needs.

Descendants of earlier inhabitants, the tribals of the forest, can still be seen. The Mannan tribe is now concentrated around Kovilmala, near Kanchiyar.[9]

The major places of religious worship include:

  • Jyothis Bishop's House,Malankara Catholic Church- Idukki Region, Jyothis Center, Kattappana
  • St.George Forane Syrian Catholic Church,Pallikavala, Kattappana (Diocese of Kanjirappally)
  • St.George Syrian Catholic Church,Vellyamkudy,Kattappana(Idukki Diocese)
  • St. Paul's Malankara Catholic Church, Jyothis Centre, Kattappana (Archdiocese of Tiruvalla)
  • St Mary's Orthodox Church, Kattappana
  • St George Jacobite Syrian Church, Kattappana (under Idukki Bhadrasanam)
  • St Mary's Knanaya Church, Kattappana
  • St. John's CSI Church, Kattappana
  • India Pentecostal Mission Church, Kattappana
  • Sree Lakshminarayana Temple, Idukkikavala, Kattappana
  • Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Ambalakavala[14]
  • Visvakarma Mahadeva Temple,Kochuthovala Rd, Kattappana
  • Darussalam Juma Masjid, Kattappana

Art, Sports and Culture[edit]

Kattappana has multiple public libraries.

The movie houses in the town are:

Aiswarya Multiplex Theatre (formerly known as Sangeetha), near the Town Hall

Sagara Movies (Multiplex), Kochuthovala Road.

Santhosh Theatre, near the old Private Bus Stand.

There are also Arts and Music Clubs in the town.

Kattappana Town Lions Club [16] is part of Lions Club International, and is engaged in humanitarian service and community projects for community service.

Idukki Malankarajyothi Integral Development Society, Jyothis Center, Kattappana.

Bodhana Social Service Society, Jyothis Center, Kattappana.

Sports

Kattappana schools and colleges have been promoting sports. In the State school athletic meets, Kattappana educational district used to be runners-up for many years consecutively. There are football clubs in the town, such as Spices City Club. An annual football event is conducted in which various clubs from all over Kerala participate.[citation needed]

Kattappana also has a sports stadium.

Bank[edit]

The following major banks have their branches in Kattappana:

  • ICICI Bank
  • IndusInd Bank
  • State Bank of India
  • State Bank of Travancore
  • Union Bank of India
  • Canara Bank
  • Federal Bank
  • South Indian Bank
  • Kattappana Service Co-operative Bank has also been functioning in Kattappana.

Kattappana as a commercial hub of Highrange region[edit]

Despite being the commercial hub of the High Ranges, most of Kattappana was shown in official records, as part of forest area, owned by the government. Granting title deeds to the land owners and farmers, had been a vote-catching slogan, raised by successive state governments. With the removal of legal hurdles, the Government has ordered issue of condition-free titles to the farmers in November 2010.[11]

There is a mini Industrial estate in Kattappana.

Educational Facilities[edit]

Some of the major colleges in Kattappana region are:

  • Government College,Kattappana (established in 1977) B.A.Economics, B.A. Malayalam, B.Sc.Chemistry, B.Sc. Mathematics, B.Com, M.A. Malayalam
  • College of Applied Science (IHRD), Kattappana B.Sc.Computer Science, B.Sc. Electronics, M.Sc. Computer Science, PGDCA
  • John Paul Memorial Colleges Labbakkada, Kattappana B.Ed, B.Com (Computer Application), BCA, BTS, BBA, BA English, MA English, M.Com Finance
  • St.John's College of Nursing B.Sc. Nursing
  • St.John's School of Nursing General Nursing & Midwifery
  • Co-operative College Kattappana H.D.C/B.Com
  • St.Sebastian's College of Management & Technology, Kattappana Diploma in Hotel Management, Fashion Designing, CDIT Courses
  • Some nearby higher education centres are:
  • Government Engineering College, Pynave, Idukki (29 km) B.Tech- Electrical & Electronics Engg, Electronics & Communication Engg, Computer Science & Engg, Information Technology)
  • Marian College, Kuttikkanam MBA, MCA, MSW, MCom, BBA, BCA, BCom, Hospitality Management)
  • M.E.S. College, Vattappara, Nedumkandam (18 km) BA History, BSc.Physics, BSc Mathematics,
  • BSc Chemistry, BCom, MSc OR & Computer Applications, MSc Physics, MCom
  • Govt. Polytechnic College, Nedumkandam (23 km)
  • Govt. Polytechnic College, Kumily (35 km)
  • Holy Cross College, Puttady (10 km)
  • Model Polytechnic(IHRD), Idukki (30 km)

Some of the major schools in Kattappana region are:

  • Infant Jesus Residential School, Kattappana (CBSE Affiliated)
  • Ossanam English Medium Higher Secondary School Kattappana
  • Carmel CMI Public School, Puliyanmala, Kattappana (CBSE) (managed by CMI Fathers)
  • Auxillium Senior Secondary School, Kattappana (managed by Salesian Sisters)
  • St. George's Higher Secondary School Kattappana
  • St. Jerome's Higher Secondary School Vellayamkudy
  • St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Erattayar
  • Govt.Tribal Higher Secondary School, Kattappana
  • Mannam Memorial High School, Nariampara


Climate data for Kattappana, Kerala
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 26.1
(79.0)
27.4
(81.3)
29.1
(84.4)
29.3
(84.7)
29.2
(84.6)
27.2
(81.0)
26.1
(79.0)
26.5
(79.7)
26.8
(80.2)
26.2
(79.2)
25.5
(77.9)
25.5
(77.9)
27.1
(80.7)
Average low °C (°F) 16.8
(62.2)
17.5
(63.5)
19.0
(66.2)
20.2
(68.4)
20.8
(69.4)
20.1
(68.2)
19.6
(67.3)
19.6
(67.3)
19.3
(66.7)
19.1
(66.4)
18.5
(65.3)
17.2
(63.0)
19.0
(66.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 22
(0.9)
30
(1.2)
52
(2.0)
116
(4.6)
163
(6.4)
307
(12.1)
396
(15.6)
246
(9.7)
163
(6.4)
252
(9.9)
176
(6.9)
75
(3.0)
1,998
(78.7)
Source: Climate-Data.org[10]

References[edit]

  1. "'Trial Run Begins at Spices Park'". The Hindu. 6 September 2010. Archived from the original on 10 September 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  2. "St. John's Hospital website". Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  3. "Kattappana to become a municipality - The Hindu › kerala › article7204111". The Hindu. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  4. "UDF wrests power in Kattappana and Thodupuzha - The Hindu› kerala › article7894574". The Hindu. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  5. Kerala, Directorate of Census Operations. District Census Handbook, Idukki (PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Directorateof Census Operations,Kerala. p. 58,59. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  6. Cardamom Cultivation
  7. "Tale of an Indigenous Farmer", Rediff.com
  8. "St George Forane Church, Kattappana". Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  9. Mannan tribe
  10. "CLIMATE: KATTAPANA", Climate-Data.org. Web: [1].

External links[edit]

Template:Northern Travancore

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