Kattappana
Kattappana was formed primarily by settlers from Pala, Changanassery and Kanjirapally in the Kottayam district in the 1950s, and was given the status of gram panchayat in 1962. The town attained the Municipality status in 2015.
History
Historical Development
The place is mainly settled by the setters from Pala,Kottayam and Ernakulam.Initially, it was part of the Udumbanchola tehsil (taluk) within the Idukki district. Subsequently, it became a part of the newly formed Idukki tehsil. Notably, Kattappana emerged as the second municipality established in the district, following Thodupuzha. Mr. Johny Kulampallil assumed the position of the first municipal chairman.
Kattappana eventually established itself as a crucial commercial hub within the high ranges. This development was fueled by its rapid growth in infrastructure and overall development. However, the turning point for Kattappana's commercial success can be attributed to the construction of two key roads: the Kottayam-Kattappana road and the Puliyanmala-Thodupuzha State Highway.
Economic Mainstay
Cardamom agriculture serves as the cornerstone of Kattappana's economy, playing a pivotal role in uplifting the town's economic well-being.Spices Board (erstwhile Cardamom Board under Government of India) has an office in Kattappana. A Spices Park is established at Puttaday close to the town of Kattappana.
Recognition for Sanitation
A significant achievement for Kattappana in feild of sanitation was attaining the distinction of an Open Defecation Free Municipality in Kerala.Kattappana was first civic body in State of Kerala to acheive this status. This recognition was conferred upon the then Chairman, Shri Johny Kulampallil, by the Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, during a ceremony held in Kochi on 18 October 2016.
Civic administration
Adminstration
Kattappana is one of the two municipalities in the district, formed through the powers of Kerala Municipalities Act 1994.It was officially declared as municipality by the state government on 1 November 2015.The members of the municipal council are elected from each of 34 wards every five years, held with the local government elections across the state.The elections was held in 2021.The chairperson is the executive authority of the municipality.
Kattappana town is the part of the Idukki legislative assembly constituency and the Idukki Lok Sabha constituency.The legislative assembly election is conducted every five years, last in May 2021.
Administrative Divisions
For administrative convenience, the municipality is divided into 34 wards.
| Ward No. | Ward Name | Ward No. | Ward Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vazhavara | 18 | Kunthalampara North |
| 2 | Nirmala city | 19 | Kunthalampara South |
| 3 | Society | 20 | Pallikavala |
| 4 | Konginippadavu | 21 | Erupathekkar |
| 5 | Vellayamkudy | 22 | Ambalakkavala |
| 6 | Vettikkuzhakavala | 23 | Mettukkuzhi |
| 7 | Nathukallu | 24 | Vallakkadavu |
| 8 | Kallukunnu | 25 | Kadamakkuzhy |
| 9 | Pezhumkavala | 26 | Nariampara |
| 10 | Valiyapara | 27 | Thovarayar |
| 11 | Kochuthovala North | 28 | I T I Kunnu |
| 12 | Kochuthovala | 29 | Valiyakandam |
| 13 | Anakuthy | 30 | Govt. College |
| 14 | Parakkadavu | 31 | Suvarnagiri |
| 15 | Puliyanmala | 32 | Kalyanathandu |
| 16 | Ambalappara | 33 | Mulakaramedu |
| 17 | Kattappana | 34 | Kounthi |
Politics
The major political parties active in Kattappana are Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Kerala Congress. Trade union movements are also popular in Kattappana as Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) affiliated workers engaged in the labour sector.
The current member of legislative assembly (MLA) from Idukki is Roshy Augustine. He has been of the member of legislative assembly of Kerala representing Kattappana town forming a part of Idukki constituency since 2001.
The current member of parliament (MP) from Idukki is Dean Kuriakose.He has been elected to the Parliament since 2019.
Demographics
As of 2011 Census, Kattappana had a population of 42,646, with 21,159 males and 21,487 females. Kattappana has an area of 61.32 km (23.68 sq mi) with 10,419 families residing in it. Kattappana had an average literacy of 95.25% higher than the state average of 94%.
People migrated to this place mainly during the 1950s from Central Travancore. The migrations were majorly from Palai, Chenganassery and Kanjirapally taluks of Kottayam district and Pathanamthitta. Descendants of earlier inhabitants, the tribals of the forest, can still be seen. The Mannan tribe is now concentrated around Kovilmala, near Kanchiyar.
