Vellathooval
Grama Panchayat

History

Migration History

In 1946, widespread settlement in Vellathooval began with the construction of the Chenkulam Power House. Before that, areas such as Shalyampra, Chenkulam, Pothumpara, and Thokumpra were mainly cardamom plantation regions. Plantation owners included families like Manikadan, Elanjiakal, Palakkadan, and Manjayil. When plantation owners arrived, tribal communities (Muthuvans) were settled in areas like Anachal and Muthuvankudi. Many place names such as Vellathooval, Kumbanpara, Chenkulam, and KallarKutti (Attikkalam) were given by indigenous tribal people.

As part of the “Grow More Food” project implemented by the first popular government of Travancore after the Second World War food crisis, migration to high-range areas like Vellathooval began. Between 1947 and 1949, around 3,000 five-acre plots were allotted to farmers for food production such as rice and tapioca. The main early settlers came from Meenachil, Thodupuzha, Muvattupuzha, and Kothamangalam taluks. Farmers reached these areas by getting down at Iruttukanam and Second Mile bus stops.

In 1949, the Chithirapuram–Vellathooval road was completed for project purposes, becoming the first transport route in the region. The Chithirapuram–Ellakkal road was also completed the same year. In the 1950s, logging roads created by contractors gradually developed into panchayat roads. In 1955, the Adimali–Ponmudi road was constructed by the KSEB. By 1954, almost all land except cardamom plantations had been converted into agricultural land.

Struggle History

In 1954, under the leadership of the Travancore–Cochin Farmers’ Union, a foot march to Thiruvananthapuram was organized by Ikkachan and K.T. Jacob demanding the removal of restrictions on permanent cultivation. In 1956, under Governor’s rule, advisor P.S. Rao initiated steps to evict all settlers and convert the land back into forest, stating it was required for protecting power projects. This triggered massive protests, as farmers who had transformed forest land into cultivable land faced eviction threats.

In 1956, a large farmers’ meeting was held at Thokumpra, leading to the formation of the Devikulam Farmers’ Association. A petition signed by 6,000 farmers was submitted to the Governor. Later, a farmers’ march involving 360 participants was organized to the Kottayam Collectorate under the leadership of P.N. Madhavan. The march lasted five days and ended with a memorandum submission. This non-partisan movement helped temporarily halt eviction threats.

Regional History

After the formation of the state of Kerala, the 1957 election brought the EMS government to power. On April 28, 1957, an ordinance was issued prohibiting all evictions. In 1958, land titles were first granted to high-range farmers at Rajakkad. However, the 1959 Liberation Struggle created political divisions among farmers, weakening the Devikulam Farmers’ Association.

In 1958, the Chenkulam Government High School began functioning in Vellathooval, becoming the first high school in the high-range after Munnar. Earlier, LP schools in Kunjithanni and Chithirapuram were functioning, along with schools started by MK Velupilla in Thokumpra. In 1950, an ashram was established in Anachal for migrant farmers, which later became the site of the Anachal Sree Ayyappa Temple in 1957. A Hindu temple also began functioning in Mankadavu during the same period. The first Christian church in Ellukkal started in 1956, and the first mosque in Shalyampra in 1954.

Between 1956 and 1960, Vellathooval and Ellukkal became important commercial centres. By the 1960s, Vellathooval had emerged as a cultural hub. A police station was established in 1957, later moved to Adimali in 1975, and re-established in Vellathooval in 1988 due to public demand.

Development History

Early settlers lived in temporary huts (erumadas) and cultivated rice (virippu) and lemon grass for livelihood. Traditional rice varieties such as Mundan Peruvazha, Vellikuruvikanni, Eettaperuvazha, Vellaperuvazha, and the early-maturing Vellachi were cultivated. Later, tapioca and banana were grown, followed by perennial crops such as arecanut, coconut, pepper, and coffee. Large-scale cardamom cultivation was carried out in eastern regions like Pothumpara, Muthuvankudi, and Chenkulam. Migrants from central Kerala introduced rubber cultivation due to climate suitability.

Vellathooval, located near the tourist destination of Munnar, is rich in natural beauty. Hydroelectric projects under the Electricity Board such as Chenkulam Dam, KallarKutti Dam, and the Chenkulam Power House make the region attractive to tourists. The climate is moderate, without extreme heat or cold, and the landscape features hills, valleys, and flowing streams.

Most main roads in the region were constructed by the Electricity Board in connection with hydroelectric projects, while early development of other roads involved logging contractors and local communities. The two major power projects in the area were the Chenkulam Power Station (completed in 1955) and the Panniyar Power Station. The KallarKutti Dam and related developments also played a major role in advancing education, culture, and overall development in the region.