Goverment of Kerala

Revenue Department

Kanichar
Village Office

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TOURIST PLACES

Elappeedika

Perched at an altitude of 1000 ft above sea level, this virgin land endowed with forested hills and lush grasslands is situated in the Western Ghats mountain range. Elappeedika in Kannur district is one among the hill stations which used to be the centre of Kurichiyar, an ancient tribal community. Elappeedika got its name from Elam (Cardamom) that was taken to this place from Wayanad via the Periya Pass for trade purposes. Earlier there were lots of cardamom plantations in Elappeedika. By 1930s, immigrant farmers from different regions started cultivating cashew nuts, pepper, ginger and cinnamon near these forests. Thus the land of Kurichiyar gradually turned into an agriculture village. Now Elappeedika houses about 300 farmer families that are engaged in cash crop cultivation. The place holds a special place in the history of Kerala. Elappeedika and Periya Pass have witnessed the battles of the legendary freedom fighter, Pazhassi Raja against the British. Kannavam forest region near Elappeedika still has the remains of Thalakkal Kotta build by Thalakkal Chanthu, an archer and the commander-in-chief of Pazhassi’s army. Tourist destinations like Thampuran Hills (the highest hill station under the Kannur Forest Division) and Kannavam Forest are situated near Elappeedika. Kannavam Forest is an ideal place for trekking. The absence of wells in the houses here is a unique feature of Elappeedika. People use water from the Kanjiram River that originates from the Thampuran Hills using pipelines. Elappeedika can be developed into a major tourist destination with the implementation of agro- farm tourism and adventure tourism along with trekking and eco-tourism.

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About Village

Kanichar is a village located in iritty Taluk of Kannur district in Kerala.Kanichar Village came into existence the following year after the division of Kappad Village in 1986 comprising of Kanichchar, Kelakam and Kottiyoor villages. Moved to own building on August 2, 1996.Kanichar village is bounded on the north by Bavalipuzha and on the east and south-west by Kelakam, Vekkalam, Vellarvalli and Manathana villages. Kanichchar Village Office is located in the center of the village at Kolakkadu

Demography

As per the Census India 2011, Kanichar village has population of 29328 of which 14438 are males and 14890 are females. The population of children between age 0-6 is 3180 which is 10.84% of total population. The sex-ratio of Kanichar village is around 1031 compared to 1084 which is average of Kerala state. The literacy rate of Kanichar village is 80.19% out of which 82.29% males are literate and 78.15% females are literate. There are 1.32% Scheduled Caste (SC) and 14.86% Scheduled Tribe (ST) of total population in Kanichar village.

Geography

Kanichar is a scenic area surrounded by mountains.

Socio-Economic

Kanichar was one of the major centers of Malabar Migration. Most of the people in Kanichar are engaged in agriculture or business. The area is known for exporting hill products like rubber, dry copra, pepper, arecanut, etc.

Ecology

Hilly area

Tourism

Elapeedika - A tangle of nature and history Towering high, at an altitude of 1000 ft above sea level and lying untrodden and unexplored is a pristine patch of greenery which breathes history-Elapeedika. A green hideout where lush hilly stretches are stitched to perfection with grasslands, Elapeedika in Kannur is an escapist’s paradise. Elapeedika lies surreptitiously in the Western Ghats, away from the march of civilisation, its wild beauty intact. It is believed that the place got its name owing to the presence of several trade outlets though which the Elam (Cardamom) was brought from the hills of Wayanad could be sold. The natives of the region were the Kurichiyars, an ancient tribal community. By the 1930s, the influx of immigrant farmers changed the topography of the place. An agrarian community of around 300 farmer families reside here now. The place is etched in history as well. It figures among one of the main regions which witnessed the battle against the British by King Pazhassi Raja, who belonged to the Padinjare Kovilakam of the Kottayam royal family and is of interest to history buffs. One still gets to see the beautiful ruins of the fort, Thalakkal Kotta, built by Thalakkal Chanthu, the commander-in-chief of Pazhassi’s army. With its surreal beauty and vibrant history, Elappeedika is a land just waiting to be explored.