Wayanad, One of the fourteen districts in Kerala (India) is situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in Western Ghats. It lies between north latitude 11degree 26’28’’ and 11degree 48’22’’ and east longitude 75 degree 46’38’’ and 76 degree 26’11’’. The name Wayanad has been derived from the expression 'Vayal nadu' - the village of paddy fields. When the state of Kerala was formed in 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur district. Later South Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district and then on November 1, 1980 North and South Wayanad joined together to form the present Wayanad district.This mountain district is in many ways the most picturesque in the state, with its rolling hills covered with tropical rainforest. Wayanad also contributes richly to its fortunes, thanks to the flourishing cultivation of many spices, as well as Tea, Coffee and Cocoa. Wayanad is situated at a height of 700 to 2100m above sea level and is home to many species of animal and plant life. Temperatures range from 12 to 25 degrees centigrade. This district also has the added advantage of linking Kerala with the golden triangle of South India : Bangalore, Mysore and Ooty. This high altitude district is characterised by the cultivation of perennial plantation crops and spices. The major plantation crops include coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber. Coffee based farming system is a notable feature of Wayanad. Coffee is grown both as pure crop and as mixed crop along with pepper. Pepper is grown largely along with coffee in the north eastern parts of the district, especially in Pulpally and Mullankolly areas. Coffee in Wayanad (66,999 ha.) shares 33.65 per cent of the total cropped area in the district and 78 per cent of the coffee area in the state. Other major crops are rubber(63,015 ha.), coconut(59,452 ha.), cardamom (38,348 ha.), tea (31,792 ha.) cassava and ginger. A recent increase in the area under coconut cultivation is noticed in the lower elevations. Paddy is cultivated in 22,772 hectares of land. The rice fields of Wayanad are in the valleys formed by hillocks and in majority of paddy lands, only a single crop is harvested. Ginger cultivation in Wayanad has also substantially increased in recent times and the ginger produced is mainly marketed in the form of green ginger. Homestead farming assumes importance in this district. The average size of holdings are 0.68 ha. A variety of crops including annuals and perennials are grown in these small holdings. The crops include coconut, arecanut, pepper, vegetables, tuber crops, drumstick, papaya, etc. and fruit trees like mango and jack. The crop patterns/crop combinations prevelant in this district are not based on any scientific norms. Therefore scientific cropping patterns suitable for the agro-ecological situation is to be recommended.
BANASURA SAGAR DAM
This is the largest earth dam in India .The topography here is such that many islands will be formed in the upstream of the dam when the dam is full. These isalnd with the background of the Banasura hill will provide a hyponotizing sight to tourists.
CHEMBRA PEAK
The hills, rokcs and valleys which contribute tothe very unique charachter of Wayanad provide a lot for adventure tourism .Trekking to the Chembra peak is a risky mountaineering endeavor, Chembra peak, the highest hill in Wayanad , near Meppady town. Trekking to the top of this peak takes almost a day .Toursists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps.
EDAKKAL CAVE
This location of breath taking beauty is three kilometres from Ambalavayal which is 25kms from kalpetta.The edakkal cave in the Ambukuthy mountain is not a cave in the real sense ,as stated in the India Antiquary and quoted in the district Gazetter , Kozhikode it is only a cleft about 96ft.long and 22 ft wide in the rock .It is a fissure made by a corner of rock .It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main body due to some natural causes .The depth of both the cleft and fissure is 30ft what makes it a cave to the ordinary observer is the fact that in the other portion of the large cleft, an enormous tock , weighing several tones, has fallen forming a roof over large part of it.The rock wall contains some interesting carvings which represent human and animal figures and objects of human use and symbols.These carvings speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic age and inspires the archeologists and historians to rewrite the history of wayanad and kerala as whole.
Kuruva Island
The Kuruva island 950 acre 3s of ever green forest on the tributesof east flowing river Kabani,is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbances of city life.The island in unihanited.Rare species of birds ,orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom .It is 17 kilomters east ofManathavady and 40 kms north west of Sulthan Bathery.
Lakkidi
One of the highest locations in Wayanad, Lakkidi also commands a picturesque scenery .It is about 58kms north east of Kozhikode and 5 kms south of Vythiri.Lakkidi , the gatway of Wayanad, lies a top Thamarassery. a ghat pass at an elevation of 700m above mean sea level .The lofty mountain peaks , the gurging stream. luxuriant vegetation and the birds eye view of the deep valley on the south, with its winding roads, are breath taking.The 12kms long journey from Adivaram to Lakkidi through ghat road with nine hairpin bends amidst thick
forest , is a facinating experience.
Muthanga wild life sabctuary
Muthanga , which is 16 kms east ofSulthan Bathery, is located vert near to the Karnataka boarder, Wild forests covering an area of 345 sq kms from the Muthanga wild life Sanctuary; the biggest aboad of wild animals in Malabar.Elephant spotted bear etc, are found in this sanctuary .The forest department has facilites for providing elephant rides to tourists here.
Pakshipathalam
In the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, is a Challenging tourists spot for anh
adventure seeking tourist.To reach Pakhipathalam seventeen kilometers have to be covered through wild forest .The deep rock caves, formed amonth the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of Brahmagiri , are the abode of various birds and wild beasts.
Pookot Lake
It is a natuaral fresh water lake brimmed with evergreen mountains .The weather here is salacious; the scenic beauty hypnotizing and the nature , unspoiled ,Pookot Lake tourist resort in Vythiri is the most sort after toursit spot of Wayanad.This is an aquarium and a green house here.Boating facilities also are available.
Sentinel Rock Water Fall
This waterfall is at Vellarimala village near Chooralmala in Meppadi Panchayat.It is a picnic spot as well as a trekking centre .The sentinel rock, a rock of morethan 200m in height is ideal for rock climbing.
Soochippara Waterfall
The waterfalls at Soochippara near Meppadi is really a treasure of nature , yet to be discovered .The stretches of waterfalls ranging at places from 100 to 300 feet height is a treat to the eyes .the pool below provides for water rafting swimming , bathing , etc.
Thirunellveli Temple
Situated 29kms north east of Manathavady under the Brahmagiri hills in the reserve forests.
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