Mankulam Grama Panchayat
Mankulam Grama Panchayat is located in the Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. Formed on 2nd October 2000, this Panchayat falls under Mankulam village. The Panchayat covers an area of 123 sq km and is bordered by Munnar Panchayat on the north, Adimali Panchayat on the south, Munnar and Pallivasal Panchayats on the east, and Kuttampuzha and Adimali Panchayats on the west. Nallathannipuzha, Mankulam, and Eettachola rivers are the major water sources in the Panchayat. Mankulam Panchayat is a hilly region with many hills and mountains. Pallikunnu, 96 Kunnu, Muniparakunnu, Parvathimala, Kilikallu Mala, and Virinjapara Mala are the important hills and mountains of the place. 25% of the total land area is forested.
The Nedumbassery-Kodaikanal State Highway passes through the Panchayat. Mankulam Panchayat is part of Devikulam Block Panchayat, bordering Tamil Nadu, and is geographically, climatically, culturally, and agriculturally distinct from other parts of Kerala.
This scenic place is located amidst the Sahyadri range as part of the Western Ghats. The Panchayat falls under the agro-climatic zone of the High Ranges. Archaeological excavations at the site, which are estimated to be over 3000 years old, are home to manuscripts and centuries-old dolmens.
Mankulam Grama Panchayat has been an agrarian economy. The main crops are tea, cardamom, coffee, and rubber. These plantations occupy a good portion of the total agricultural land. Most of the tea plantation workers are migrants from Tamil Nadu. Remains of the old Aluva Munnar Road, which passes through various wards of Mankulam Panchayat, can still be seen here. Here you can see the old milestones of the 50th Mile area and the ruins of a bungalow that evokes the heyday of British rule.