Chaliyar
Grama Panchayat

Chaliyar Grama Panchayat was established on 25 December 1979. The Panchayat has a total geographical area of 124.28 sq. km, of which nearly 60% is forest area. The total population is 24,650, comprising 12,042 females and 12,608 males. The overall literacy rate of the population is 80%.

Based on its terrain, Chaliyar Grama Panchayat can broadly be classified into three geographical regions: plains, low hills and mountainous areas. Plains constitute approximately 7% of the total area, while low hills account for about 28% and mountainous terrain accounts for nearly 65%.

Agriculture has been widely practised in the region since the beginning of the last century. Edivanna was one of the places surveyed by the British in 1912 for initiating rubber cultivation in India. Rubber cultivation was first introduced in the Panchayat at Edivanna itself. Even today, rubber remains the principal commercial crop cultivated in the Panchayat. Other major crops include paddy, coconut, cashew, arecanut and pepper, along with banana, tapioca and cardamom.

The Chaliyar River forms the southern boundary of the Panchayat for a stretch of approximately 15 kilometres. The Kuruvan Puzha and Kanjirapuzha are the other major water resources in the Panchayat. There are four major public ponds and several smaller ponds. The public ponds are Vadakke Perumundakുളം, Myladi Kulam, Edivanna Kulam and Palakkayam Kulam.

The Panchayat has six irrigation canals, which are used for agricultural and other purposes. The major canals include the Vengad–Perumbathur Canal, Mannupadam–Myladi Canal and Akampadam Paddy Field Canal.

The highest mountain in the Panchayat is Vellarimala. Other prominent mountain ranges and peaks include Manikyammudi, Kuruvankunnu, Thamburankolli and Manjappara Mala.

The principal source of drinking water in the Panchayat is wells. There are 50 public wells within the Grama Panchayat. Around 200 streetlights have been installed along Panchayat roads, facilitating safe movement during the night.

Tourism and Places of Interest

Chaliyar Grama Panchayat has several places of natural beauty that attract tourists. The picturesque Adyanpara Waterfalls attracts a large number of visitors. The Canoly Plot, one of the oldest teak plantations in the world, is located within the Panchayat. Karumbayikkotta and Kozhippara Waterfalls are other important tourist destinations.

A cave believed to have been constructed and used by Pazhassi Raja during the period of guerrilla warfare can be seen at Nayadumpoyil. The eco-parks at Adyanpara and Kozhippara are also among the major attractions of the Panchayat.

Transport and Connectivity

The nearest airport used by the residents of the Panchayat for international travel is Karipur International Airport. Nilambur Railway Station is the nearest railway station, while Beypore Port is the nearest seaport.

Bus transportation in the Panchayat is mainly connected to Chandakunnu Bus Stand and Nilambur Bus Stand. The major roads passing through the Panchayat include the Nilambur–Valamthode Road and the Akampadam–Bhoodanam Road.

A network of roads connects various parts of the Panchayat. Important roads include the Kalathinkadavu–Mannupadam Road, Eranjimangad–Modavanna Road, Akampadam–Anappara Road, Anappara–Elambilakkode Road and Elambilakkode–Namboorippodi Road. Around sixty roads connect different localities within the Panchayat.

Myladi Bridge, Peruvambadam Bridge, Kanjirapuzha Bridge and Moolappadam Bridge are important infrastructure facilities contributing to the development of transportation in the Panchayat. The Valamthode–Nayadumpoyil Hill Highway passes through the Panchayat.

Industries and Commerce

Small- and medium-scale industries are the major industrial activities in the Panchayat. The timber industry is the principal medium-scale industrial activity. Other important industries include brick manufacturing, papad production and pickle manufacturing.

There are eight ration shops functioning under the Public Distribution System. A Maveli Store and a Neethi Store are the other public distribution facilities in the Panchayat. The main market of the Panchayat functions at Akampadam.

Religion and Culture

Chaliyar Grama Panchayat is home to Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities, with places of worship belonging to these communities located throughout the Panchayat.

The prominent Hindu temples include Ramalloor Siva Temple, Konamunda Durga Temple and Parekkad Temple. Christian places of worship include St. Thomas Church, Edivanna; St. Joseph Church, Moolappadam; and St. Alphonsa Church, Muttiyel. Two mosques are situated at Akampadam.

The Valiyakkalam Pattulsavam at the Nilambur Vettakkoru Makan Temple is an annual festival associated with the tribal communities of the Panchayat. Vailassery Pooram and the Kuttichathankavu Aarattu Festival are also important celebrations in the Panchayat.

E. P. Appukuttan Pillai was a notable personality in the political sphere.

Health and Veterinary Services

Various healthcare institutions function within the Panchayat. The Primary Health Centre (PHC) is located at Akampadam, with sub-centres functioning at Elambilakkode, Eranjimangad and Mannupadam.

An Ayurveda hospital and a Homoeopathic hospital also provide healthcare services in the Panchayat. Ambulance services are available to the Panchayat from the Nilambur Taluk Hospital.

In the veterinary sector, a Veterinary Hospital functions at Akampadam, with a sub-centre at Elambilakkode.

Education

Formal education in the Panchayat began with the establishment of Eranjimangad Government Lower Primary School in 1928.

In the government sector, the Panchayat has five Lower Primary Schools, two Upper Primary Schools, one High School and one Higher Secondary School. In the private sector, three schools and one college at Myladi are functioning.

Banking and Cooperative Institutions

South Malabar Grameen Bank and Akampadam Rural Bank operate within the Panchayat.

Major cooperative institutions include the Chaliyar Service Cooperative Bank, Cooperative Urban Bank, Edivanna Vanitha Cooperative Society and Akampadam Vanitha Cooperative Society.

Cultural and Public Institutions

The Panchayat Library is an important cultural institution in the Panchayat. The first library in the Panchayat was the library of the Victory Readers' Club, which functioned at Akampadam during the 1960s and 1970s.

The Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Cultural Centre is also functioning in the Panchayat.

The Kerala State Electricity Board office serving the area is located at Nilambur. Post offices function at Edivanna and Eranjimangad. A Village Office functions at Akampadam.

For agricultural services, an Agricultural Office (Krishi Bhavan) functions at Akampadam. A Telephone Exchange is also functioning at Akampadam.