Happy TravellerWelcome to Munnar, a picturesque town and hill station located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. Situated at around 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above mean sea level, in the Western Ghats mountain range, Munnar is also known as the Kashmir of South India and is a popular honeymoon destination. The name Munnar is believed to mean three rivers, referring to its location at the confluence of the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundali rivers.
History:
The region has been inhabited by hunter-gatherer tribals like the Malayarayan and Muthuvan for thousands of years. The first survey of the terrain was undertaken by Benjamin Swayne Ward in 1816–1817, who followed the Periyar into the Western Ghats and established a camp at the confluence of three rivers, from which the name of Munnar is derived. In 1879, Munro, Henry Turn and his half-brother AW Turner obtained ownership of the Cardamom Hills from the Raja of Travancore and began clearing forest around Devikulam. Soon many other Europeans began establishing tea plantations in the area throughout the 1880s. Early plantations had few facilities and were mainly huts of straw. Most labourers on the tea estates were Dalits from present-day Tamil Nadu. Eventually roads were opened to the lowlands and in Bodinayakanur in western Madras Presidency, planters got provisions from a local headman – Suppan Chetty. He and his son, Alaganan Chetty (later an MLA) would continue providing supplies to the tea estates in the region. By 1894, 26 estates were established in the hills but all were facing losses. In 1897, a separate company, Kannan Devan Hills Corporation (KDHC) was registered to operate the tea estates which was later taken over by the American Direct Tea Trading Company Ltd., who owned 26 estates, most with coffee and some with cinchona, almost all in the area except for a few in the lower areas. In 1900, a ropeway was built and eventually monorails were installed for easier transport of goods to the plains. In 1901, P. R. Buchanan took over as General Manager and began the most extensive clearing of jungles for plantations. In 1908, construction started on a new railway which opened in 1909. By 1911, around 16,000 acres of the region was under cultivation. In 1924, a flood swept through Munnar, damaged the road and destroyed the rail track. In its place it was decided to create a ropeway to transport tea. In 1930, this in turn was replaced by a modern road that made transport much easier. By 1952, almost 28,000 acres of land was under cultivation. After Independence, Indian planters took over. In 1964, the KDHC which owned most tea estates was acquired by Tata and Finlay who started the first instant tea factory in the country. In 1971, the Kerala government wanted to reforest all land in the hills not used for plantations. However negotiations that followed resulted in Tata keeping most of the land, leaving it with 57,000 acres. To this day, most tea estate labourers are landless.
Geography:
The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,450 meters (4,760 ft) to 2,695 meters (8,842 ft) above mean sea level. The temperature ranges between 5 °C (41 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) in winter and 15 °C (59 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) in summer. Temperatures as low as −4 °C (25 °F) have been recorded in the Sevenmallay region of Munnar. Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies it as subtropical highland (Cwb).
Transportation:
Munnar is well connected by both National highways, state highways and rural roads. The town lies in the Kochi – Dhanushkodi National highway (N.H 49), about 130 km (81 mi) from Cochin, 31 km (19 mi) from Adimali, 85 km (53 mi) from Udumalpettu in Tamil Nadu and 60 km (37 mi) from Neriyamangalam. The nearest major railway stations are at Ernakulam (126 km) and Aluva (110 km). Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus stand is walking distance from Aluva Railway Station, and buses are available for Munnar every hour. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 110 kilometres (68 mi) away. The Coimbatore and Madurai airports are 165 kilometres (103 mi) from Munnar.
Demographics:
As of 2011 Indian census, Munnar Grama Panchayat had a total population of 32,039. 16,061 were males. and 15,968 were females, with 7,968 families total residing therein. Children represented in the age group of 0-6 were 2,916 (9.1% of the total population), which constitutes 1,478 males and 1,438 females. Munnar Panchayat had an overall literacy rate of 84.85%, substantially lower than the Kerala state average of 94.00%. Male literacy stands at 91.05% and Female literacy was 78.64%.
Flora and fauna:
Most of the native flora and fauna of Munnar have disappeared due to severe habitat fragmentation resultant from the creation of the plantations. However, some species continue to survive and thrive in several protected areas nearby, including the new Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti Valley and the Amaravati reserve forest of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east, the Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park to the north, the Pampadum Shola National Park to the south and the proposed Palani Hills National Park to the east. These protected areas are especially known for several threatened and endemic species including Nilgiri Thar, the grizzled giant squirrel, the Nilgiri wood-pigeon, elephant, the gaur, the Nilgiri langur, the sambar, and the neelakurinji (that blossoms only once in twelve years).
Land ownership:
There has been action to address the problems of property takeovers by the land mafia that have, according to successive governments, plagued the area. In 2011, the government estimated that 20,000 hectares of land had been illegally appropriated and launched a campaign of evictions that had first been mooted in 2007.
Attractions:
Munnar is a popular tourist destination and offers a range of attractions for visitors. Some of the must-visit places include the Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Top Station, Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Peak, and the Tea Museum. Visitors can also enjoy trekking, camping, and bird watching in the surrounding hills and forests. The town is also known for its tea plantations and visitors can take a tour of the tea factories and learn about the tea-making process. Munnar is also a popular destination for adventure sports like paragliding, rock climbing, and rappelling.
In conclusion, Munnar is a beautiful and serene destination that offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and unique flora and fauna, Munnar is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Kerala. So pack your bags and head to Munnar for an unforgettable experience!
