Muppainad
Grama Panchayat

his chapter deals with the general information related to Muppainad Grama Panchayat. It explains various aspects of the Panchayat, including its topography, history, economic condition, livelihood patterns, infrastructure facilities, and irrigation systems.

Topography

Muppainad Grama Panchayat, blessed with rich biodiversity and situated in the beautiful ranges of the Western Ghats, possesses immense natural wealth. Characterized by hills, valleys, plains, and mist-covered landscapes, the Panchayat is an environmentally rich region formed by the Nilgiri hills, forests, rivers, and streams. It is a land full of promise for nature lovers, tourists, and knowledge seekers.

Although plantation agriculture during the British period destroyed parts of the sacred forests, the hills, forests, and greenery have largely been preserved. This geographical region, which falls under the Goa–Nilgiri Cambrian Pre-Peninsular zone of the Western Ghats, is a treasure house of valuable endemic biodiversity.

Situated at an elevation ranging from 600 to 950 meters above sea level, between 11°33'34.311" North latitude and 76°30'–76°03'30" East longitude, the topography of Muppainad can be described as follows:

• Steep rocky slopes of up to 45 degrees are found in areas such as Neelimala, Kanthanpara, Meenmutty, and Sunrise Valley, where landslides have occurred due to human interventions.
• Areas with slopes ranging from 14° to 26° are seen from Kanthanpara to Sunrise Valley and Sekharankundu to Neelimala, characterized by steep inclines, deep inward gorges, and narrow plains.
• Areas with 8° to 14° slopes are mostly covered by agriculture and forests, where coffee, tea, pepper, indigenous trees, and fruit-bearing trees are cultivated. Around 35% of the area remains forested.
• Areas with 2° to 4° gentle slopes form the plains of Muppainad, although completely flat terrain is rare. These plains, lying within the catchment areas of the Chaliyar and Kabani rivers, are highly fertile due to rich alluvial soil. Two decades ago, paddy cultivation was common here, but today crops such as banana, arecanut, ginger, and tapioca are cultivated, and many areas have been converted into residential plots. These plains were once water-rich wetlands and marshlands with abundant freshwater. However, plantation farming in upland areas, crop pattern changes in valleys, hill cutting, and land filling have pushed these plains toward degradation.

Soil

The most commonly found soils are brown and black soils, along with reddish-brown soils. Brown and black soils are rich in organic matter and highly suitable for agriculture, mainly found in hills and valleys.

In lowland protected areas, water-rich but poorly drained alluvial clay soils are found. However, monocrop farming practices, particularly banana cultivation, have contributed to soil erosion and water seepage, causing significant changes in soil structure.

Other soil types found in various locations include laterite soil, white soil, red brick soil, and in forest areas, black sandy soils mixed with leaf litter.

Hills

One of the distinguishing features of Muppainad is its hill-like mountains. As part of British agricultural reforms, forests on the hills were cleared for plantation crops.

Although Muppainad Grama Panchayat does not have major mountain peaks, it lies in the foothills of Chembra and Elambilery hills. The only hill in the Panchayat is Neelimala, which stands at an elevation of 938 meters above sea level. Valathur Kunnu, Sunrise Valley, and Kanthanpara hill also rise to considerable heights.

Rivers

Muppainad Grama Panchayat lies in the catchment areas of the Kabani River and the Chaliyar River.

The streams and tributaries flowing into Karapuzha, a major tributary of the Kabani River, originate from the hill slopes of Muppainad. Important streams such as Jaihind Thodu, Koleri Thodu, Arappetta Thodu, Thinapuram Thodu, Nallannur Thodu, Pullurkkunnu 5th Number Thodu, Kadalad Thodu, and Varipra-Nedumullithodu merge into Karapuzha, which ultimately joins the Kabani River, Cauvery River, and finally the Bay of Bengal.

The Kanthanpara River, originating from Elambilery Hill, the water tower of the Western Ghats, flows through Muppainad and Meppadi Panchayats and is known for its scenic beauty. Flowing through evergreen forests and cascading over rocks like silver threads, it is a visual marvel.

Several streams, including Aanadikkappu Thodu, Aramangalamchal Thodu, Valathur Thodu, Mankunnu Thodu, Arappetta 6th Number Thodu, Laksham Veedu Thodu, Rippon 2nd Number Thodu, Puthukkad 90th Vayal Thodu, Aanakundu Thodu, Puthiyappadi Thodu, Kadachikkunnu Thodu, Kadassery Thodu, and Vattathuvayal, join the Kanthanpara River within Muppainad Panchayat.

The Choladi River, another important river flowing through Muppainad into the Chaliyar basin, originates from Nenmene in Sulthan Bathery Taluk and reaches through Kottur in Ambalavayal Panchayat. Streams such as Pullumala Thodu, Edakkode Thodu, Velleri Thodu, and Chandragiri Thodu join the Choladi River in Muppainad.

The Kanthanpara and Choladi Rivers eventually enter forest regions through beautiful waterfalls, merge near Parappanpara in the Nilambur forest region, and flow into the Arabian Sea at Kozhikode–Feroke through the Chaliyar River.

Surface Water Resources

About 20% of the storage area of the Karapuzha Irrigation Project, constructed for agricultural irrigation in Wayanad district and parts of Kozhikode district, lies within Muppainad Panchayat. Karapuzha is also the largest water storage area in the Panchayat.

In addition, important surface water resources include 14 large ponds, 215 small ponds, 4 major check dams, and 18 minor check dams in the private sector.

Groundwater Resources

There has been a serious decline in groundwater resources. Even in the plains of the Kanthanpara River, Choladi River, and Karapuzha, groundwater levels have dropped alarmingly.

During the previous summer, more than half of the wells in Muppainad Panchayat dried up, indicating a severe depletion of groundwater levels. There is an urgent need to increase soil water retention through rainwater harvesting, well recharge, and organic methods.

Despite receiving higher-than-usual rainfall this year, there has not been significant improvement in water availability. This unfortunate condition is mainly due to short-sighted and unscientific interventions in land use and management. These issues must be resolved through systematic and participatory public intervention.