Kasaragod district

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Bekal Fort Beach
Bekal Fort Beach
Bekal Fort Beach
Bekal Fort Beach

Kasaragod (Malayalam:കാസര്‍ഗോഡ് ജില്ല) is one of the districts of the Indias state of Kerala. Kasragod district was organised as a separate district, on 24 May1985. It forms the northernmost end of Kerala. To its south lies Kannur District and to the north, Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state. All along its west it is walled by the Western Ghats while along the east the Arabian Sea borders it. The district, covering an area of around 1992 sq km, has a population (2001 census) of 1,203,342, and has two taluks, namely, Kasaragod and Hosdurg both being municipalities as well; seventy-five villages; thirty-nine panchayats. The district is further sub-divided into four administrative segments called development blocks, namely, Manjeshwar, Kasaragod, Kanhangad, and Nileshwar. Like other districts of Kerala, Kasaragod district too has a high literacy rate, around 85.17%. The Malayalam spoken here has influences from Tulu, Kannada, Urdu and Konkani. People from southern Kerala generally find it difficult to understand the Malayalam spoken here. Kasaragod district has Arabian sea to the west and Western ghats to the east.

In ancient times, Kasaragod was known by Arabs by the name Harkwillia.[1]Many Arab travellers who visited Kerala between 9th and 14th century visited Kasaragod , which was an important trade centre then.Duarte Borbosa, the Portuguese traveler who visited Kumbla, near Kasaragod in 1514, recorded rice being exported for coir to Maldives.[2]Dr.Francis Buccanan, who was the family doctor of Arthur Wellesley, visited Kasaragod in 1800.[3]In his travelogue, he recorded information on places like Athiraparambu, Kavvai, Nileshwaram, Bekal, Chandragiri and Manjeshwaram.[4]

Contents

[edit] History

Kasaragod was once a part of the Tuluva kingdom.Then, there were 64 Malayalam and 64 Tulu villages in this part.[5]When the Vijayanagara empire attacked Kasaragod, it was ruled by the Kolathiri Raja who had Nileshwaram as his capital. During the decline of the Vijayanagara empire, the administration of this area vested with Ikkery Naiks.[6]At the onset of collapse of the Vijayanagara empire, Vengappa Naik declared indepenance to Ikkery. Kumbla, Chandragiri and Bekal are considered to be the chain of forts constructed by Shivappa Naik.[7]In 1763, Hyder Ali conquered Bedanoor (Bidnur), the capital of the Ikkery Naiks. His son Tippu Sultan conquered the whole of Malabar. As per the Sreerangapattanam Treaty of 1792, Tippu surrendered Malabar, except Tulunadu (Canara) to the British. The British got Tulunadu only after the death of Tippu Sultan.[8]

[edit] Geography

Kasaragod was organised as a separate district, on [9] district is the northern most district of state of kerala Kasaragod is located at 12.5° N 75.0° E.[10] It has an average elevation of 19 metres (62 feet).
The landscape is dominated by the characteristic coconut palms accompanying rolling hills and streams flowing into the sea. The landscape is dotted with tiled-roof buildings, topped with the famous kasaragod tiles made with the local hard red clay and typically walled with laterite blocks. Older houses are commonly found with elaborate wood-work.

Kasaragod district consists of two taluks viz, [Kasaragod] and Hosdurg (Kanhangad).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[11] Kasaragod had a population of 12,03342. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kasaragod has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. In Kasaragod, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. The main languages are Malayalam and Tulu. Besides these languages, Konkani and Kannada are also spoken here. The Malayalam spoken here has influences from Tulu, Kannada, Konkani and Tulu spoken here is influenced by Malayalam. People from southern kerala generally find it difficult to understand the malayalam spoken here.

[edit] Tourist attractions

Kasaragod is the one of the most beautiful districts in Kerela state with 11 rivers (out of a total of 44 rivers in Kerala), forts, beaches, hills and backwaters. Bekal Fort is the biggest fort in Kerala which is 14 km from Kanhangad and 11 km from Kasaragod town. The nearest railway station is Pallikere railway station, now Bekal Fort railway station and the nearest airport is Mangalore airport. Ranipuram - A number of grassy hills near by the Panathady town and linked to Kanhangad by Kanhangad-Panathur state highway. Kottencheri hills - They are near Talakaveri, the starting point of the Kaveri river. It is 35 km from Kanhangad town. Other tourist attractions are the Chandragiri Fort, Anandashramam, Malik Deenar Masjid, Valiyaparamba backwater and Kareem forest park - the only man made forest in the Kerala. The forest park is located at Parappa near Nileshwar.Kerala government has planned to set up a IT park in Kasaragod.Park will be constructed in 100acres revenue land in Cheemeni which is estimated to bring 50,000 IT jobs. Chedekal

[edit] Flora and Fauna

Kasaragod district is very rich in vegetation. Natural vegetation, except in some coastal regions, consists of different types of forests. But, in spite of generally favorable climatic conditions, vegetation is not uniform. In restricted regions, with their own micro climate or special edaphic features, plant formations assume different characters. Thus, plant communities, ranging from psammophytes and mangroves to evergreen forests are seen in this district.

The coastal region is a comparatively narrow zone, characterized by secondary soil which is rather lose and sandy. The sterile sandy tract supports only a poor vegetation of the psammophyte type. Plants are few and mostly prostrate. Erect species are small and short. Owing to very poor water holding capacity of the soil, these plants are provided with special xerophytic adaptations. Another conspicuous feature of this area is the mangrove vegetation, found at the estuaries of rivers and backwaters, and often extending to the interior along their banks. Human interference has much changed the vegetation of the coastal region.

A major part of the district comes under midland region with numerous hills and dales and it presents an undulating surface gradually ascending and merging into the slopes of Western Ghats. Soil is secondary and lateritic with underlying rock of laterite or disintegrated gneiss. Typical flora of this area is deciduous forest consisting of a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees. Undergrowth consists of a variety of annuals and perennials.

The mountains are a continuation of the midland region, gradually ascending to the main ridge of the Western Ghats. Soil in the western slopes is a ferruginous red, sandy loam. Vegetation over the whole area is of the forest type. Irregular distribution of teak, localized areas of bamboo dominance, change of good quality forest into open grass lands, etc are characteristic.

[edit] Ranipuram wildlife sanctuary/National park (Proposed)

The proposed Ranipuram Wildlife Sanctuary/National park of Kanhangad forest range consists of various flora and fauna which are endemic to the Western Ghats and a yet to studied biodiversity hotspot. It merges with the Talacauvery wildlife sanctuary. Ranipuram hill station which falls in Panathady reserve forest is an ideal area to notify as as a wild life sanctuary. The evergreen and shola forest seen only here in kasaragod district. Many highly endangered species like elephants are often sighted here. Various bird species, reptiles and highly endangered snakes like the king cobra also inhabit this area. Elephants, leapoards, deer, wild dogs, wild boars, macaques, jungle cats, Leapard cats slender loris, porcupines, malabar giant squirrels, malabar civet cat and rare butterflies and medicinal plants are found in these forest.

Most of these highly endangered animals are mistakely killed by people due to lack of conservational awareness or to protect their crops. Ranipuram wild life sanctuary will be in contigous to Talacauvery wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka. The nearby reserve forest such as Kottanchery, eleri, malom and parappa can be combined to have an area of 80 sq.km of forest. Once it is declared as a wild life sanctuary, it will be a big tourist attraction of this district along with Ranipuram hill station and ecotourism. Declaring it as a wildlife sanctuary is the only way to protect this Westernghat biodiversity hotspot and to ensure its survival for future generation. country liquor are made deep in the jungle.

Poaching of wild boar, porcupine, hares, deers and even monkeys for their meat taking place mostly in the night time. It is never reported outside and unaccessable due to hilly and remote area. Many quarries seen along the fringe area. Sadly, the Tigers are not seen here because of lack of their prey, mainly deers which are illegaly poached by local people. Frequent visits of elephants from the nearby reserve forest suggests that it once was an elephant migratory route. Kannur DFO and kanhangad Forest range officer should give immediate attention to declare it as a wild life sanctuary and deploy more forest guards. Encroachment of the forest is the biggest threat. Take action now before it too late. It can be successfully converted without any rehabilation process as in the case of malabar wildlife sanctuary of kozhikode district.

The proposed Munnamkadavu Dam may very useful to make a crocodile farm and afforestation around the dam reservoir will help to reintroduce the lost wild elephant corridor and Ranipuram sanctuary may ensure the protection of wild animals for future generation. It will be the northern most wild life sanctuary of Kerala after Aralam wildlife sanctuary. It is also an integral part of Brahmagiri biosphere. Karnataka Government already declared talacauvery reserve forest as a wildlife sanctuary.

Flora: Evergreen monsoon forest, shola, orchids, medicinal plants,grass lands etc

Mammals: about 24 species mainly Elephants, wild bison, Leapard, wild dogs, mangoose, pangoline,, Jungle cats, Malabar giant squirrels, Flying squrrels, fox, porcupine, bonnet macaques, Langur, Leapard cats, Deer, wild boar, slender loris, hares, squirrels, bats etc..

Birds: About 200 species mainly Great Indian horn bill, Paradise flying catcher, green barbet, peacock, trogon, wood pegeon, malabar grey horn bill, white bellied tree pie, heart spotted wood pecker etc...

Reptails: King cobra, kraits, viper, rat snakes, Indian cobras, green whip snakes, monitor lizards etc..

Amphibians: About 19 species, Thousands of insects and spiders

About 100 species of butterflies incluing sword tail, forest nymph, malabar bird wing etc...

[edit] Munnamkadavu Dam Project and Park (Proposed)

In the early 90's some people shout slogan against introduction of the computers and there were widespread protest against the 'new comer'. But now they realise the use of computers in day todaylife. The history repeats itself in Kasaragod district, this time not the computers, but the dream project of the district, The proposed munnamkadavu dam. Some people protest against the dam wihout proper knowledge of use of the dam.

The biggest gain of the Proposed dam is not the irrigation to the farmers nor the production of the electricity. But it is the creation of the forest around the dam reservoir, re-creating the lost biodiversity, thus useful to the mother nature.Now there is no any forest nor wildlife near the proposed dam but only rubber plantation and some cash crops. when the dam became a real, the creation of forest&biodiversity around the rainshed area become a reality. The reintroduction of wildlife to these forest to create a wildlife sanctuary also been sought.

In kerala all the wildlife sanctuary/National park situated on the rainshed area of reservor, such as Neyyar dam and Thekkady. Why not in kasaragod? if the dam is not build here, There is no forest or wildlife sanctuary, instead there will be concrete jungle and polluted river as seen in other parts of the state, in future. About 20 years from now, the rivers of kerala will be in draught, such as in kasaragod district and there already felt realestate boom.

The crocodile tears of of the so called 'environmentelist" do not protest against the cutting of the trees or planting of rubber trees in their private area. This is destroying our Natural forest. Most of the local people do not know the importance of dam and some rich people who is having plenty of rubber plantation( self environmentalist) simply protest without any reason. 'Environmentalist' protest during day time but they will keep mum whenever the illegal hunting or logging takes place in nearby reserve forest. They protest the in the name of poor people , whom may gain very much because of the dam and they might be compensated well during the rehabilation process.

The Government should give enogugh compensation whenever the poor people are relocated. The mass media such as televesion, radio and news paper should give much importance for the re-creation of the forest around the dam and and should not be biased. Some vote bank politics also trying to stop the project. The propsed dam can be in the line of Neyyar dam in th Trivandrum district. We can create a crocodile breeding centre here along with biodiversity park. All the true Environmentalist of the district shuold come forward to make this dream project a real.

[edit] References

Another look at the Bekal Fort
Another look at the Bekal Fort
  1. ^ "Kasaragod History". 
  2. ^ "Kasaragod History". 
  3. ^ "Kasaragod History". 
  4. ^ "Kasaragod History". 
  5. ^ "Kasaragod History". 
  6. ^ "Kasaragod History". 
  7. ^ "Kasaragod History". 
  8. ^ "Kasaragod History". 
  9. ^ 24 May 1985Kasaragod
  10. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kasaragod
  11. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.

[edit] External links


Districts of Kerala, India
Alappuzha • Ernakulam • Idukki • Kannur • Kasargod • Kollam • Kottayam • Kozhikode • Malappuram • Palakkad • Pathanamthitta • Thiruvananthapuram • Thrissur • Wayanad