Kakkadampoyil

Kakkadampoyil, is a small village in Malappuram district, Kerala, India bordered with Kozhikode district. This is located in Nilambur. The village has recently emerged as a major tourist destination in the district.

Coconut Factory

Rubber Plantations

Water Channel

Private farm

Location

Kakkadampoyil is situated in Koodaranhi Panchayat in Kozhikode District near Nilambur. This hilltop village is one of the coolest tourist destinations in Malabar region. It is about 15 km from Koodaranhi, 19 km from Thiruvambady and 24 km from Nilambur. Calicut city is about 50 km from here. It is set high on the Western Ghats, with altitudes ranging from 700 ft to 2100 ft.

Tourism

A large number of tourists come to Kakkadampoyil to enjoy the cool climate and to stay away from the bustle of the city.^[1]

This recent flood of eco-tourism has not been without incident; in July 2023, there was a clash between tourists and local residents.^[2] There have been a large increase in tourist-related traffic, leading to 20 reported motor vehicle accidents in two years from 2022 to 2024.^[3]

Climate

The year is divided into four seasons: Cold (Malayalam:ശൈത്യം (December to February)), Hot (Malayalam:മധ്യ വേനല്‍ (March to May)), South West Monsoon (Malayalam:കാല വര്ഷം, (June to Sept) and North East monsoon (Malayalam: തുലാ വര്ഷം (Oct to Nov)). During the hot weather, the temperature goes up to a maximum of 30 C and in cold weather, the temperature drops to 15 C. The average rainfall is 2600 millimetres per year.

Kozhippara Junction

Geography

Kakkadampoyil stands on the western top of the Western Ghats with dense forest, and deep valleys. It is 24 km from Nilambur. The Cherupuzha (Malayalam: ചെറുപുഴ) is one of the important tributaries of Chaliyar River (:ചാലിയാര്‍).

Economy

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. Arecanut, coffee, Cocoa, Black pepper, Plantain, Vanilla and Coconut are the main crops. Poultry and Pig farms are the new trend.

In 2017 December, the Pinarayi Vijayan government decided to accord clearance to an 11 MW hydroelectric project in Kakkadampoyil. It will be the largest among the 20 small hydroelectric projects given clearance as part of the government's move to shift focus to micro level projects in the face of public resistance against large projects.

Neighboring villages

• Koodaranhi
• Thiruvambady
• Akampadam
• Nilambur
• Vettilappara
• Thottumukkam

Rivers

• Iruvanjippuzha
• Chaliyar River

Access

• Nilambur Railway station 26 km.
• Calicut Railway Station 44 km. - connected to all parts of the Country.
• Calicut International Airport (CCJ)) - connected to Gulf Countries and to other cities in India.
• Bus service is available from Kozhikode, Thiruvambady and Nilambur.
• There is also a continuous Jeep service from Koodaranhi town to Kakkadampoyil.

References

1. "Travel: KERALA: Scenic Kakkadampoyil, a mini Gavi, is drawing tourists". Onmanorama. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
2. "Clash between tourists, local people: regulations likely at Kakkadampoyil eco-tourism spot in Kozhikode: Koodaranhi grama panchayat authorities write to State Police Chief for speedy action". The Hindu. 9 July 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2024. A recent incident in which a few tourists manhandled a local resident who tried to clear a traffic block has also prompted the authorities to step up surveillance at Kakkadampoyil eco-tourism spot.
3. "CITIES: KOZHIKODE: Accident lurks on hill highway to Kakkadampoyil ecotourism spot". The Hindu. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024. With over 20 major accidents in just two years, the Koombara-Kakkadampoyil hill highway has become one of the most accident-prone routes in rural Kozhikode. A majority of those who fall victim to the accidents are domestic tourists visiting the ecotourism destinations around Kakkadampoyil.

External links