HIGH ALTITUDE FIELD HOUSE | Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

SITE ANALYSIS

6.1 IDUKKI DISTRICT

Idukki district is famous for its numerous hill stations. Its high ranges, deep valleys
and dense forests lure nature lovers. Munnar, a hill station in Devikulam Taluk is
known for its rare flora and fauna. Some of the endangered species are seen in this
tourist spot.
Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. A hill
station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it's surrounded by rolling hills
dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century.

The total area of the District is 4356 sq.km.

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It contributes 11.21 per cent of total geographical area

of the State.
The maximum height, Anamudi (2,695 m.) which is the highest peak in South India,
lies on its Eastern portion of Kannan Devan Hills Village.

MUNNAR

Munnar has emerged as one of the most popular Hill Stations of South India. The
pristine scenic beauty of the location, good road connectivity to all parts of Kerala
and proximity to Cochin International Airport are some of the enabling features that
have helped the rapid growth of Munnar as a leading Tourist Destination. The single
most attractive feature of Munnar is the fact that it is probably the only major Hill
Station in India situated within 3 hours driving distance from an International
Airport. Also, there are multiple tourist destinations with 50 to 100 km radium of
Munnar, thereby enabling the Tourists to spend more time based in Munnar, visiting
the other facilities around Munnar.
The altitude of around 1500 metres above mean sea level ensure that the location
enjoys moderate temperature.

Average Weather in Munnar 

In Munnar, the wet season is muggy and overcast, the dry season is partly cloudy,
and it is comfortable year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature
typically varies from 53°F to 79°F and is rarely below 50°F or above 84°F.

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Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit Munnar for warm-weather
activities is from late January to early April.

Temperature

The warm season lasts for 2.0 months, from March 9 to May 10, with an average

daily high temperature above 77°F. The hottest day of the year is April 3, with an
average high of 79°F and low of 60°F.

The cool season lasts for 3.1 months, from October 23 to January 25, with an

average daily high temperature below 70°F. The coldest day of the year is January
17, with an average low of 53°F and high of 70°F.

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Rainfall

To show variation within the months and not just the monthly totals, we show the
rainfall accumulated over a sliding 31-day period centered around each day of the
year. Munnar experiences extreme seasonal variation in monthly rainfall.Rain falls
throughout the year in Munnar. The most rain falls during the 31 days centered
around June 16, with an average total accumulation of 10.0 inches.The least
rain falls around January 24, with an average total accumulation of 0.5 inches.

Precipitation

A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation.

The chance of wet days in Munnar varies very significantly throughout the year.

The wetter season lasts 6.3 months, from May 9 to November 18, with a greater

than 33% chance of a given day being a wet day. The chance of a wet day peaks
at 61% on June 18.

The drier season lasts 5.7 months, from November 18 to May 9. The smallest chance

of a wet day is 4% on January 16.

Among wet days, we distinguish between those that experience rain alone, snow

alone, or a mixture of the two. Based on this categorization, the most common form
of precipitation throughout the year is rain alone, with a peak probability
of 61% on June 18.

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Sun

The length of the day in Munnar does not vary substantially over the course of the
year, staying within 42 minutes of 12 hours throughout. In 2020, the shortest day
is December 21, with 11 hours, 32 minutes of daylight; the longest day is June 21,
with 12 hours, 43 minutes of daylight.

The earliest sunrise is at 5:59 AM on May 28, and the latest sunrise is 45

minutes later at 6:44 AM on January 28. The earliest sunset is at 5:56
PM on November 16, and the latest sunset is 51 minutes later at 6:47 PM on July 13.

Daylight saving time (DST) is not observed in Munnar during 2020.

Wind

This section discusses the wide-area hourly average wind vector (speed and
direction) at 10 meters above the ground. The wind experienced at any given location
is highly dependent on local topography and other factors, and instantaneous wind
speed and direction vary more widely than hourly averages.

The average hourly wind speed in Munnar experiences significant seasonal variation

over the course of the year.

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The windier part of the year lasts for 3.8 months, from May 20 to September 14, with
average wind speeds of more than 5.3 miles per hour. The windiest day of the year
is June 30, with an average hourly wind speed of 8.0 miles per hour.

The calmer time of year lasts for 8.2 months, from September 14 to May 20.

The calmest day of the year is March 25, with an average hourly wind speed of 2.6
miles per hour.

The predominant average hourly wind direction in Munnar varies throughout the
year.

The wind is most often from the west for 7.2 months, from March 21 to October 28,
with a peak percentage of 100% on July 5. The wind is most often from
the east for 4.8 months, from October 28 to March 21, with a peak percentage
of 89% on January 1.

Solar Energy

This section discusses the total daily incident shortwave solar energy reaching the
surface of the ground over a wide area, taking full account of seasonal variations in
the length of the day, the elevation of the Sun above the horizon, and absorption by

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clouds and other atmospheric constituents. Shortwave radiation includes visible light
and ultraviolet radiation.

The average daily incident shortwave solar energy experiences some seasonal

variation over the course of the year.

The brighter period of the year lasts for 2.0 months, from January 30 to March 31,

with an average daily incident shortwave energy per square meter above 6.3 kWh.
The brightest day of the year is March 6, with an average of 6.8 kWh.

The darker period of the year lasts for 6.2 months, from May 14 to November 21,

with an average daily incident shortwave energy per square meter below 5.0 kWh.
The darkest day of the year is June 7, with an average of 4.5 kWh.

Topography

For the purposes of this report, the geographical coordinates of Munnar are 10.089
deg latitude, 77.063 deg longitude, and 5,197 ft elevation.

The topography within 2 miles of Munnar contains very significant variations in

elevation, with a maximum elevation change of 1,959 feet and an average elevation
above sea level of 5,175 feet. Within 10 miles contains very significant variations in

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elevation (7,690 feet). Within 50 miles also contains extreme variations in elevation

(8,816 feet).

The area within 2 miles of Munnar is covered by shrubs (51%) and trees (49%),

within 10 miles by trees (74%) and shrubs (23%), and within 50
miles by trees (52%) and cropland (28%).

SITE FEATURES

The proposed site for the“High Altitude Training Complex and Sports Tourism
Facility” is a prime location, which is the point of entry to Munnar Town on the
Kochi – Dhanushkodi National Highway No: 49. It is a scenic location with 6.00
hectares (15.00 acres) of level terrain, nestled in a valley, surrounded by hills,
covered with tea plantations. The triangular shaped site has over 300 metres of

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Highway frontage along its eastern boundary and almost the same length of
Panchayat Road frontage along its northern boundary. On the western and south-
western side, the site is abutted by a stream, which joins the Muthirapuzhayar just
200 metres downstream of the site. On the opposite side of the Highway on the
eastern side is the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Bus Depot in
Munnar. Hence, the site is well connected to different parts of Kerala and Tamil
Nadu with regular public transport system.

SURROUNDING

Surrounding regions are filled with commercials and hotels. As it is a tourist spot
more number of estaurents can be found. Primary occupation of people are tea
plantation. Some act as tourist guide. Site is bounded by 6m wide wide road on north
and tea cultivation at west and south with resedential hilly regions.

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CURRENT SITAUTION
Present Situation the site is not maintained by government which has an existing
hostel and admin building in worse condition with improper sanitation and facilities.
Ground consist of 6ft deep drain system around them which acre connected to
exterior lake to drain.

NEIGHBOURHOOD CONTEXT
Site is surrounded by major tourist spots hence many number of hotels and
restaurants are located near the site. Site is connected with two roads one leading to
Munnar town and another internal road towards tea estate.
Primary school is located at proximity of 1km from site and major traffic occurs
during peak times. As bus depots are located near to site access for public becomes
easier and shorter distance
Surrounded by Malayalam and Tamil peoples with major occupation of tea
cultivation and daily labourers.

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SITE- 15 ACRES

Site is located on a flat land at present used as cricket pitch. Existing building on site
is used as dormitory which is not maintained properly. Site forms a triangular shape
due to canal at south west and mountains adjacent to it.
7Feet compound wall is found damaged running along sites boundary

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History of site

12th century -Ruins of Pancha Pandavas cave dwellings were identified from
perikanal to marayoor valley
Devi During her vanavasam stayed here for some days. Muthuvans from Madurai
arrived at the hills

1817 – 1878 - Kannan, Devan being a friends of pandaya king chirayu varma named
the region as kannan devan hills.
Lieuternat an connor did a trignometric survey of high Range and then Finlay Muir
and Company invested in tea plantation During British rule.

1878 – 1900 Munro and Chinchina platantion were found in Devikulam

Kannan Devan company Started 1st Hydro electric power house at pullivasal,
Ropeway construction started for transportation.

1900 – 1923 Mono rail facilities and telephone connections were installed with post
office. Power house at periakonal was installed for first time in high region which
supplied electrcity for surrounding region,

1923 – 1940 KDH buys and leases land around munnar used as shops and bazzars
for local people 1924 Floos affected the rail system where then Road transportation
was nuilt to Kochin, Coimbatore, Madurai

1940 – 1980 Arched dam at sethupalyam was created craze for recreation was
created. Developed Gymkha sports field. Tata Purchased Finlay Teas factory was
installed. Kannan devan hills established in munnar

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Site was initially used for horse riding and sporting events by british east india
company during their invasion

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