Kerala district

Idukki District

Idukki covers 4,612 sq km and lies in the Western Ghats, with extensive forest cover, plantation agriculture, hydroelectric projects and protected areas.

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Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Idukki Current district profile and area figure. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Idukki District landscape and tourism overview.

District overview

Area

4,612 sq km

Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Idukki Current profile lists an area of 4,612 sq km. Official website: Idukki District Administration: District at a glance Current district profile lists an area of 4,612 sq km.

Population (Census 2011)

1,108,974

Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Idukki Lists 1,108,974 as the 2011 Census population. Government source: Census of India 2011: Idukki District Census Handbook District Census Handbook population tables.

Literacy rate (Census 2011)

92.20%

Source: Government source: Kerala Economics & Statistics: Idukki Current district profile lists 92.20% and labels the statistic with the 2011 Census.

Sex ratio (Census 2011)

1,006 females per 1,000 males

Source: Government source: Census of India 2011: Idukki District Census Handbook Census 2011 district demographic tables.

Headquarters

Painavu

Source: Official website: Idukki District Administration: Contact the District Collector Official district administration contact and Collectorate address.

Economy

Plantation agriculture and spice cultivation are important to Idukki. The District Administration lists tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and pepper among crops suited to the district. It reports that hydroelectric power projects in Idukki account for about 66% of Kerala's power needs.

Source: Official website: Idukki District Administration Lists plantation crops suited to the district. Official website: Idukki District Administration: About District Describes the district’s hydroelectric power contribution and forest cover.

Climate

Climate conditions vary with elevation between Idukki's lower areas and high ranges.

Source: Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Idukki District landscape and elevation context.

District background

History

Idukki district came into existence on 26 January 1972. The District Administration says it was formed from Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peerumade taluks of erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk of erstwhile Ernakulam district, subject to later boundary adjustments. It explains the name as deriving from Malayalam “Idukku,” meaning a gorge. The District Administration also records megalithic remains, including pandukuzhies, menhirs, dolmens and graves, and State Archaeology Department excavations at Marayoor, Thengakkal, Bison Valley and Thondermalai.

Source: Official website: Idukki District Administration: History Formation, name origin, and archaeological remains recorded by the District Administration.

Geography

Idukki is a landlocked, mountainous district in the Western Ghats. It is drained by the Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar and their tributaries. The District Administration says more than half of the district is covered by forests. Anamudi, inside Eravikulam National Park, is the highest peak in South India. Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady supports tiger and elephant populations. The Idukki Arch Dam is a concrete arch dam; with Cheruthoni and Kulamavu dams, it forms the Idukki reservoir system.

Source: Official website: Idukki District Administration: About District Forest coverage and district overview. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Idukki Mountainous district and principal rivers. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Munnar Identifies Anamudi as the highest peak in South India and places it in Eravikulam National Park. Official website: Idukki District Administration: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady District source for the reserve and its wildlife. Government source: KSEB Dam Safety Organisation: Idukki Dam Identifies the concrete arch dam and the three-dam Idukki reservoir system.

Culture

The Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes identifies the Muthuvan as a Scheduled Tribe community with settlements in Idukki and Ernakulam districts.

Source: Government source: KIRTADS: Muthuvan community in Idukki Identifies Muthuvan settlements in Idukki and Ernakulam districts.

Popular Attractions

Source: Official website: Idukki District Administration: Tourist Places Official Idukki tourist-place listings. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Munnar Munnar destination and nearby attractions. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Idukki Arch Dam Official destination listing for Idukki Arch Dam. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Mattupetty Official destination information for Mattupetty in Munnar. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Echo Point Locates Echo Point near Munnar in Idukki. Tourism authority: Kerala Tourism: Devikulam Hills Official destination information for Devikulam near Munnar.

Munnar

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Idukki Arch Dam

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Thekkady

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Periyar Tiger Reserve

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Anamudi Peak

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Mattupetty Dam

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Echo Point

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Devikulam

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Attractions by type in Idukki

Backwaters Churches Festivals Hill Stations Mosques Museums Temples Wildlife

District Services

Hospitals

Healthcare facilities in Idukki

Schools

Educational institutions in Idukki

Colleges

Higher education in Idukki

Hotels

Accommodation options in Idukki

Sources

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