History of Block Panchayat

The vast territory stretching from the north of the Korapuzha River to the Valapattanam River, and from the Arabian Sea to the borders of the Wayanad hills and Karnataka, was ruled for generations by the historic Kottayam Royal Dynasty. The region plunged into unrest following the establishment of a warehouse by the East India Company in Thalassery to collect and export hill produce.

In the early days, the British forces clashed heavily with the French, who occupied Mahe, and later with the Mysore Sultans who ruled Karnataka. To drive out the British forces, the King of Mysore descended from the Kodagu hills, leading to fierce and bloody battles. Following the fall of Tipu Sultan, the British military attempted to seize administrative control over the territories under the Kottayam Raja. This provoked Pazhassi Raja, who launched a heroic and fierce resistance against the British Empire. Ultimately, the British deployed Arthur Wellesley as their commander, and through treachery, Pazhassi Raja was killed in 1805, allowing the British to establish complete dominance over the region. Localities like Purakkalam (historically known as Porkalam, meaning 'battlefield'), Koothuparamba Town, and Kannavam were the epicenters of these direct and historic battles.

Origin of the Name and Military Significance It is believed that the name 'Koothuparamba' originated from the practice of performing Koothu (a traditional ritualistic art form of Kerala) in this area. During the colonial era, a major military cantonment was established here. It is said that British soldiers used this strategic location for surveillance and control, ensuring the smooth transit of goods and resources from Kodagu and Wayanad to the Thalassery port.

The Post-Independence Era and the NES Block In 1954, a Revenue Firka came into existence as part of the Koothuparamba region. Subsequently, in 1956, the Koothuparamba National Extension Service (NES) Block was established. Stretching from Mahe and the Kozhikode district border all the way to Kootupuzha, it held the distinction of being the largest NES Block in Kerala. This block system catalyzed significant advancements in both agricultural development and regional transport infrastructure. By effectively implementing various Central and State Government schemes, numerous vital roads were constructed across the rural countryside during this period.

Transition to the Panchayat Raj System With the implementation of the Panchayat Raj system, the NES Blocks were reorganized into Block Panchayats, resulting in a reduction of their geographical jurisdiction. Initially, the Block Panchayat comprised the village panchayats of Chittariparamba, Mangattidam, Vengad, Panniyannur, Mokeri, Panoor, Padyam, Kunnothuparamba, and Trippangottur. Since Koothuparamba had already been elevated to a Municipality, it was not included under the Block Panchayat administration.

Following the latest delimitation process, the Koothuparamba Block Panchayat currently exercises jurisdiction over six Grama Panchayats:

  • Chittariparamba

  • Mangattidam

  • Kottayam

  • Padyam

  • Kunnothuparamba

  • Trippangottur