CHAPTER II

DISTRICT PROFILE
Kannur district derived its name from the location of its headquarters at Kannur
town. The old name 'Cannanore' is the anglicized form of the Malayalam word Kannur.
According to one opinion, 'Kannur' is a derivation from Kanathur, an ancient village, the
name of which survives even today in one of the wards of Kannur Municipality. Another
version is that Kannur might have assumed its name from one of the , deity of the Hindu
pantheon, a compound of two words, Kannan (Lord Krishna) and Ur (place) making it
the place of Lord Krishna.
Kannur is a town of great historical importance and was the capital of the North
“Kolathiri Rajas kingdom” for many centuries. It was once a premier port of ancient
Kerala. ‘Marco Polo’, the celebrated European traveler of the 13th century, has referred
to Kannur as a great Emporia of spice trade. Kannur came into fall in a political lime
light in the 16th century with the arrival of Portuguese.
The Kannur district was formed in 1st January 1957, when the erstwhile Malabar
District and Kasaragode taluk of Madras state were reconstituted into three districts viz.-
Kannur, Kozhikode and Palakkad. At that time, this district consists of 6 Taluks
including Mananthawady, (Now in Waynadu District) Kasaragode and Hosdurg (Now in
Kasaragod District). Waynadu District was formed in 1980 and Kasaragode District in
1984.
2.1. District at a glance
Area 2966 sq.Km
No. of Taluks 3
No. of villages 129
No. of panchayaths 81
No. Blocks 9
No. of Municipalities 6
Total population 2412365
Male population 1154144
Female population 1258221

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 8 2009

 Population Density 813/km2
Sex ratio 100 : 109
Literacy Rate 92.80 %
Table 2.1. Kannur district at a glance
2.2. Location
Kannur district lies between lattitudes 11° 40' to 12° 48' North and longitudes 74°
52' to 76° 56' East. The district is bound by the Western Ghats in the East (Koorg district
of Karnataka State), Kozhikkode and Wayanad districts, in the South, Lakshadeep Sea in
the West and Kasaragod district in the North. The district can be divided into three
geographical regions - highlands, midlands and lowlands. The highland region comprises
mainly of mountains. The midland region, lying between the mountains and the low
lands, is made up of undulating hills and valleys. The lowland is comparatively narrow
and comprises of rivers, deltas and seashore.
2.3. Administrative Divisions
The District Headquarter is Kannur. The whole district is treated as one Revenue
Division and further divided into 3 taluks viz. Thalasseri, Kannur and Taliparamba and
has 129 revenue villages. Kannur district has 81 Grama Panchayats, in 9 Blocks Besides
Kannur Corporation, there are five municipalities viz. Payyannur, Taliparamba,
Thalasseri, Mattannur, Koothuparamba.

Revenue Sub Divisions 1 ( Thalassery)

3 ( Kannur, Thalassery and
Taluks
Taliparamba)
Blocks 9
Villages 129
District Panchayath 1 (Kannur)
Gram Panchayaths 81
Municipalities 6
Table 2.2. Administrative Divisions in Kannur district

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 9 2009

2.4. Physical features
Based on the topography, geology, soils, climate and natural vegetation, Kannur
district is divided in to 4 sub micro regions,
2.4.1. Cannannore coast
This region lies as a narrow coastal strip on the western side of the district and
cutting longitudinally all the taluks of the district. The central tract is generally flat except
the rocky cliff near Ezhimala (260m) and in certain isolated pockets in the Northern coast
and around Thalasseri coast. Laterictic Cliffs of Pre – Cambrian age are found here.
2.4.2. Peringmme- Mattannur undulating Upland
This region is bound by Kasargod Table- land in the North, Karnataka state in the
East, Kannoth forested hills in the South and Taliparamba- Koothuparamba plain and
Cannannore coast in the west. The region has undulating terrain with number of isolated
hills. The differentiation of heights and its recurring character explain for the plantation
surfaces of different ages. This phenomenon has been conformed by the cross profiles
drown. The maximum height (933m) is recorded at Eruvassy panchayath of Taliparamba
taluk. The 100 m contour which reveals the minimum height occurs mostly over the
western portion. The terrain slopes towards west.
2.4.3. Taliparamba- Koothuparamba Plain
This region is bound on the north and east by Peringome- Mattannur undulating
upland, on the south by Kozhikkode district on the west by Kannur coastal plain. This
rolling plain gently slopes towards west. The maximum height (159m) lies in its southern
tip at the Kolavellur region of Thalasseri taluk and its minimum height (63m) lies at
Pattuvam village of Taliparamba taluk. This area has lateritic mesa especially around
Taliparamba area. Subdued lateritic hills occur here and there apart from the isolated hills
like Ehimala. The development of flood plains and river terraces are planked by moderate
slopes. The undulating topography is quite evident over Thalasseri area which is drained
by the Ancharakkany, Thalasseri and Mahe river.
2.4.4 Kannoth forested hills
This region is bound on the north by the Peringome- Mattanur undulating upland ,
on the East by Karnataka state, on the south by Wayanad and Kozhikkode districts and
the west by the Taliparamba-Koothuparamba plain. Its steep slope area boarders the

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 10 2009

Wayanad plateau and there is a sudden drop in gradient within a short distance. The
maximum height of this region is 1047 m located at Cheruvancherry village of Thalasseri
taluk. The 100 m contour line, which reveals its minimum height run along its western
boarder. This region forms the catchments area of the Valapattanam River, the Aralam
puzha, the Bavalipuzha and the Ancharakandypuzha. The river originating from the
ridgelines along the boarder of the Wayanad plateau plunge down to the midland forming
deep gorges this region slopes towards the west. Occasional landslides are the feature of
the region during monsoon seasons.
The geological formations in the district are of Archean and recent age. Archean
formations comprise of gneisses and charnockites. Recent formations are alluvium and
late rite. Achaeans occupy the midland and highland regions of the district having rock
types of basic charnockiates and hornblende-biotite gneiss. The remaining portions in the
coastal area are covered by late rite, alluvium, lime-shies, lignified woods, etc. Archean
formations like foliated horn-blende-biotite gneiss (gray or white in color) are one of the
main rock types in the northern portion of the district. Recent formations like late rite are
developed on a limited scale along the coastal areas.
2.5. Soil Types in the district
Important soil types in the district can be classified as lateritic soil, coastal
alluvium soil, riverine alluvium and brown hydromorphic soil and forest loam.
2.5.1. Lateritic soil
This is the most predominant soil type found in the midland area of the district.
These are mostly reddish brown to yellowish red in colour. The texture of the soil ranges
from gravelly loam to gravelly clayey loam. Extensive structures of indurate laterite with
hard surface are very common. The soil is formed as a product of residual weathering
under tropical climatic conditions. The depth of weathering changes from 5 to 20m.
2.5.2. Coastal Alluvium Soil
These are seen along the coastal tract of the district and they are developed from
the recent marine deposits. Sand is the prominent fraction of this formation. The surface
structure observed is loamy sand and sandy loam.

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 11 2009

2.5.3. Riverine Alluvium Soil
These occur mostly along the banks of Valapattanam and Kuppam rivers. This
soil shows a general predominant of sand fraction. They show wide variation in their
physiochemical properties and arrangement of layers depending on prominence features.
2.5.4. Brown Hydromorphic soil
These occurs quite extensively occupying valley bottoms. These are found in
Chalode, Vengad, Ancharakandy, Kankol and Karimbam regions. They exhibit wide
variation in physiochemical properties and morphological structures resulting from
transportation and deposition under varying conditions. These are generally deep brown
in colour. Surface texture varies from sandy loam to clay.
2.5.5. Hydromorphic Saline soil
These are seen in the coastal tract of the district especially at Cheruthazham,
Kannapuram, Dharmadam area and are generally deep brownish in colour and poorly
drained. The profile shows wide variation in texture and these soil show characteristic
aquatic properties. Salinity is due to the inflow of tidal water in to this area through the
network of the back waters and estuaries. During rainy season these areas are almost free
of salts
2.5.6. Forest Loam
These are restricted to the eastern part of the district and are developed over the
crystalline rocks of the Western Ghats. These are shallow immature soils occurring under
canopy of vegetation mantling the gneissic/charnnokitic parent rocks in various stages of
chemical weathering. These are dark reddish colour to black in colour with a loam to silty
loam in texture and have wide variation in depth. These are mainly seen in Panoor, Iritty,
Alakkode, Kannavam and Aralam area of the district.
2.6 Climate and Vegetation

The district has a humid climate with an oppressive hot season from March to the
end of May. This is followed by the South-West monsoon which, continues till the end of
September. October and November form the post-monsoon or retreating monsoon season.
The North East monsoon which follows extends up to the end of February, although the
rain generally ceases after December. During the months of April and May, the mean
daily maximum temperature is about 35° Celsius. Temperature is low in December and

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 12 2009

January -about 200 Celsius. On certain days the night temperature may go down to 16°
Celsius. The annual average rainfall is 3438 mm and more than 80 percent of it occurs
during the period of South -West monsoon. The rainfall during July is very heavy and the
district receives 68 per cent of the annual rainfall during this season.

Average m onthly rainfall in Kannur district

during last 19 years
Rainfall in mm

5000
Rainfall in mm

4000
3000
2000
1000
0
1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007
Year

Fig 2.1. Average monthly rainfall in Kannur district during last 19 years

Kannur district is very rich in vegetation. Natural vegetation, except in some

coasta1 regions, consists of different types of forests. But, in spite of generally favorable
climatic conditions, vegetation is not, uniform. In restricted regions, with their own micro
climate or special, edaphic features, plant formations assume different characters. Thus,
plant communities, ranging from psammophytes and mangroves to evergreen forests are
seen in the district. The coastal region is a comparatively narrow zone, characterized by
secondary soil which is rather loose and sandy. The sterile sandy tract supports only a
poor vegetation of the psammophyte type. Plants are few and mostly prostrate. Erect
species are small and short. Owing to very poor water holding capacity of the soil, these
plants are provided with special xerophytic adaptations.

Another conspicuous feature of this area is the mangrove vegetation, found at the
estuaries of rivers and backwaters, and often extending to the interior along their banks.
Human interference has much changed the vegetation of the coastal region. Major part of
the district comes under midland region with numerous hills and dales and it presents an
undulating surface gradually ascending and merging into the slopes of Western Ghats.

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 13 2009

Soil is secondary and lateritic with underlying rock of late rite or disintegrated gneiss.
T.epical flora of this area is a most deciduous forest consisting of a mixture of evergreen
and deciduous trees. Undergrowth consists of a variety of annuals and perennials. The
mountains are a continuation of the midland region, gradually ascending to the main
ridge of the Western Ghats. Vegetation over the whole area is of the forest type. Irregular
distribution of teak, localized areas of bamboo dominance, change of good quality forest
into open grass lands, etc are characteristic.

2.7 Rivers

Kannur district is endowed with a fine river system. Except for a few minor ones,
most of the rivers are perennial and provide good scope for irrigation and for controlling
floods through minor irrigation projects.

Tha valapattanam river is the longest river in the district, originates from the
Brahmagiri Ghats located about 15km north of Mananthavady (in Wayanad district)
passes through the villages of Iritty, Edakkunnam, Perumanna, Irikkur and Kalliasseri
and joins the Lakhshadeep sea about 10km north of Kannur. It has a total catchment area
of 1191 sqkm of which 528 sq km in Karnataka state. The main tributaries of
Valapattanam River are Valiapuzha and Aralam puzha.

The Kuppam river originates from Padinalkkad Ghat Reserve Forest in the
Kodagu district of Karnataka State and flows westwards through Thadikkadavu, Kuveri
And Taliparamba and joins the Valapattanam River. It has a catchment area of 536 sq
km. The Anjarakkandy River originates from Kannoth forests in Thalasseri taluk and
passes through Kannavam, Kadamkunnu and Vemmanal before it joins the Lakhshadeep
Sea. It has a catchment area of 113 sq km.

The Mahe river also known as Mayyazhippuzha originates from Wayanad Ghats
and passes through Mananthavadi taluk of Wayanad district, Vadakara taluk of
Kozhikkode district and Thalaseri taluk before it joins the Lakhadeep Sea at Mahe about
6 km south of Thalasseri. It has a cathment area of about 233 sq km.Most of the rivers are

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 14 2009

navigable. The Valapattanam River has the longest navigable length followed by the river
Anjarakkandy.

Rivers Length Water

Resource
Kariyangode 64 937mm3
Perumba,Ramapuram 51,19 603mm3
Kuppam 82 786
Valapattanam 110 1828
Anjarakkandy 49 503
Thalasseri 28 122
Mahe River 54 445
Table 2.3. Major rivers in Kannur district
2.8 Agriculture and Land Use Pattern
The main contribution for the economy of the district comes from agriculture.
Majority of the population of the district directly or indirectly depend on agriculture for
their livelihood. The main crops grown in the district are paddy, coconut, pepper, cashew,
tapioca, arecanut and and plantation crops like rubber, paddy occupies the largest area
among annual crops. The average yield of paddy is recorded as 1.74 tones per hectare.
Next to paddy the most important crop is coconut. Coconut is extensively grown
throughout the district. An important cash crop grown in the district is cashew nut. The
district plays a major role in its cultivation and production.
Among spices pepper occupies an important place in agriculture. Pepper is mostly
grown as an intercrop with coconut areca nut and various trees. Rubber is the most
important industrial cash crop among the plantation crops.

Landuse pattern in Kannur district

2%
Net area sown
0%

12% Forest Land

2% Fallow land
16%
Area not suitable for
cultivation
68% Permanent pastures and
other grazing lands
Other lands

Figure 2.4. Land use pattern in Kannur district

Fig 2.2. Landuse Pattern in Kannur district

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 15 2009

2.9 Transportation
The NH 17 passes through the district from Kalikadavu to Mahe palam for a
length of 80 km. The length of Public Works Department roads in Kannur district is 1421
kms. The black topped roads have a length of 1061 kms. There is a length of 6848km
panchayat roads in the district. Kannur - Mattannur - Iritty Road, Pappinisseri - Pilathara
Road, Taliparambu - Sreekandapuram Road, Payyannur - Peringome (Kozhichal) Road,
Thalassery –Kodagu road and the Thalassery – Mysore road are the other important
roads.
Sl No Type Of Vehicle Total No. of Vehicles
in kannur district
1 Two Wheeler 143533
2 Passenger Vehicles- Non Transport 456807
3 Passenger Vehicle- Transport 46174
4 Goods Vehicle 31057
5 Tractors/Trailors 928
6 All other vehicles 1642
TOTAL 281013
Table 2.6. Registered Motor Vehicles in Kannur District
Kannur is an ancient sea port. The nearest all-weather sea port is Mangalore,
presently in Karnataka state. Thalassery, Kannur and Azhikkal are the minor ports in the
district The inland water transport system connecting Perumba and Thaliparamba was
constructed in 1766 by the Ali Raja of Kannur. This 3.8 km long canal is known as the
Sultan's Canal. The west flowing rivers are used for navigation. The Valappattanam river,
55 km and Ancharakandy river, 23 km.
The nearest airport is in Kozhikode and Manglore. A New International Airport is
proposed near at Mattannur.
The Railway plays a vital role in the district in the transportation of men and
materials. The Railway line runs through Kannur for 57 kms starting from Jagannath
Temple Gate station in the south to the Payyannur station in the north. There are 13
Railway stations in Kannur district. . This section runs 20 Express trains and 10
passenger trains daily. The biggest station in Kannur district is Kannur, the headquarters
of Kannur. Two express trains and eight passenger trains originate from this station. This

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 16 2009

station deals with around 3750 passengers daily and has a computerized Passenger
Reservation system with a self-printing ticket machine. Further, Kannur Railway station
also has a major goods shed and parcel office. Thalassery and Payyannur are the other
two major stations in the district.
2.10 Livelihood Details
Majority of the population in the district depends on agriculture for their
livelihood. Others depend on beedi production, construction, weaving, etc.

Type of workers No.of workers

Motor Workers 45000
Construction workers 150439
Weavers 4202
Agriculture Labours 148000
Beedi workers 160053
Carriers 4397
Shop Workers 25697

2.11 Demography and Household Details

The total population of the district as per 2001 Census is 2412365 with a sex ratio
of 109 females per 100 males and the district has a high literacy rate.
Total Population : 2412365
Male :1154144
Female :1258221
Total No of Households : 456625
Sex Ratio (M:F) :100 : 109
Population (Kannur Taluk) : 748410

District Disaster Management Plan, Kannur 17 2009