Mankada
Mankada is a hillside village in the Malappuram district of Kerala state. It is located 15 km (9.3 mi) from Malappuram and is part of the Malappuram parliament constituency. The municipal town of Perinthalmanna is just 10 km (6.2 mi) away. Also, the municipal towns of Manjeri and Malappuram are just 15 km (9.3 mi) away.
Geography
The Mankada Gram Panchayat is bordered the Cheriyam hills and other three major towns in Malappuram district, Malappuram, Manjeri and Perintalmanna. The total area of Mankada Panchayath is 31.33 km2 (12.10 sq mi). Most of the land is arable. Climate is very cool in the rainy season and usually dry in the summer season just like the other part of Kerala. The rainy season is from June to November, winter season from December to January and the rest of the year is sunny. The temperature is normal and ranges from 25 degree 35 degree. The terrain consists of small hills and upland plain. There is not many natural resources and most of the arable land is cultivated with permanent crops. Also, there are no major environmental issues or natural hazards.
Economy
The economy encompasses traditional village farming, small scale business, and foreign money. A good percentage of natives are working in the Middle Eastern Countries. The local economy is currently undergoing a construction boom and which is solely dependent on the gulf money. The main crops that are cultivated are coconut, arecacnut, paddy, and banana. Two gold load zones of highly potential sulphide rich high grade rocks have been found in recent explorations in mankada. The govt may head for the mining, if it can address the environmental issues.
Source - Wikipedia [Apr 2021]
Mankada was originally part of the Valluvanad Swaroopam dynasty in the early medieval period (12th century CE). Valluvanad was an erstwhile princely state in the present state of Kerala, that extended from the Bharathappuzha river in the South to the Panthaloor Mala in the North. On the west, it was bounded by the Arabian Sea at Ponnani and on the east by the Attappadi Hills during their zenith in the early Middle Ages. The capital of erstwhile Valluvanad was at the present-day town of Angadipuram. According to local legends, the last Cheraman Perumal ruler gave a vast extension of land in South Malabar during his journey to Mecca to one of their governors, Valluvakonathiri, and left for pilgrimage. Valluvanad was famous for the Mamankam festivals, held once in 12 years and the endless wars against the Samoothiri of Kozhikode.
The panchayath is divided into 18 wards for administrative ease. Development funds are coming to the village through panchayath allocations and the assembly and parliament allocations. The panchayath has a very good track record on development using the fund allocation from local governments. The road network and potable water accessibility is available to a good number of people. The panchayath has one Government Allopathic hospital, one Government-run Ayurvedic hospital and few other clinics. Other public amenities include four banks including State Bank of India, Federal Bank, Co-operative banks, one post office, public library, police station, and a stadium.
