Idukki - the power-house of kerala

Idukki - the power-house of kerala

Idukki is for Kerala like battery for a vehicle. When Idukki sneezes whole Kerala catches Cold. About 60% of the power consumed by the state comes from that District. Idukki is one of the least urbanized districts of Kerala.as about 50% of the land comes under reserved forests. Tall hills dense forests presence of substantial percentage of indigenous tribes etc adds charm to this place. The fertile soil and huge manpower requirement for the construction of the huge dam attracted large number of people from Kerala as well as neighboring states to this district – to a great extent destroying the natural charm and culture of this district. Now tribal population is a shrinking lot. Their old culture and living conditions have reduced to mere laughing stock.

As mentioned first Idukki is certainly the power house of Kerala. The presence of three huge dams at the river “Periyar”- meaning big river, supplies more than sixty percent of the power required by the entire state. Periyar flows through a narrow gorge between two tall hills (known as kuravan and kurathi).Kuravan means a tribal and Kutathi his spouse. These two hills have been joined to form the biggest dam in the state which is five hundred and fifty feet in height and six hundred and fifty feet in width. Idukki- which is not just the largest dam in this state, but it is also Asia’s largest arch dam. In the adjacent areas of the main dam two more dams have been constructed one at Cheruthoni and the other one at Kulamavu. They together form a big artificial lake, several feet above sea-level. This lake offers boating facility to the tourists-who flock to this place in large numbers to enjoy the natural beauty of this place.

The district of Idukki was formed in January-26 1972 by dividing Kottayam separating three talukas mainly Udumpanchola Devikolam and Peermade. Idukki forms about 12.9% of Kerala’s land area but inhabited by about 3.7% of the state’s population. The hilly terrain and dense forests is haven to a large number of wild life like Indian elephants, wild boars, sambar-deer , giant squirrel etc. the vegetation also is rich like teak, ebony sandal wood etc. There are about 12000 tribal families in this district, who live in pitiable condition not benefiting from the developmental activities going around them. Illiteracy and alcoholism to penury and they are being exploited by the anti socials. The lack of social activist with a national vision is one of the main problems, and this vacuum is filled by narcotics mafia extremists and looters of the forest wealth. The innocent tribals are drugged, their personal land robbed and their women folks are molested.

. What a contradiction when Idukki spreads light through out a state it’s own original children live in utter darkness, living in far flung inaccessible areas. Their once rich culture robbed , sidelined and subjected to all sorts of exploitations and cruelties. Lead kindly light!! Amidst the encircling gloom..

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

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