Geography
Geographical Profile
Malappattam Grama Panchayat is the smallest Grama Panchayat in the eastern hilly region of Kannur District. One of its distinctive geographical features is that it is surrounded by rivers on three sides.
Kerala is broadly divided into three geographical regions: the Highlands, Midlands and Coastal Region. Malappattam Grama Panchayat falls within the Midland and Coastal regions. The elevation of the area ranges from approximately 2 metres to 120 metres above sea level.
The predominant soil type in the area is laterite soil. Reddish gravelly soil is found in the hilly areas, while low-lying areas have clayey and sticky soil. Black alluvial soil is commonly found along the riverbanks.
Surrounded by rivers on three sides and situated like an island amidst the hilly regions in the central part of Kannur District, Malappattam Grama Panchayat is a small local self-government institution with an area of only 19.30 sq. km. The Panchayat belongs to the Northern Midland Region, and the highland region begins from this area.
The Irikkoor River and the Sreekandapuram River meet at the Malappattam headland and subsequently flow as the Valapattanam River, eventually reaching the sea.
Land Use
The Panchayat extends over an area of 1,930 hectares, spread across six localities—Adoor, Kolanth, Adichery, Kovanthala, Malappattam and Chooliyad. Of the total area, approximately 144 hectares constitute paddy fields (wetlands), while approximately 1,786 hectares constitute dry land, including puramboke land.
Land Use – Wetlands (Paddy Fields)
Out of a total of approximately 357 acres of paddy land, about:
6 acres are used for buildings.
8 acres are used for non-agricultural purposes.
33 acres are lying fallow.
Of the 33 acres of fallow land:
5 acres remain uncultivated due to financial constraints.
3.5 acres remain uncultivated due to a shortage of agricultural labour.
3.5 acres are waterlogged areas.
Land Use – Dry Land
Of the total dry-land area, approximately 3,589 acres are utilized for homestead-based cultivation, while:
192 acres are used for buildings.
269 acres are allocated for agricultural activities.
210 acres remain uncultivated/fallow.
Approximately 58% of the families in the Grama Panchayat own land ranging from 10 cents to 1.25 acres.
Boundaries
North: Sreekandapuram River
South: Valapattanam River
East: Irikkur Grama Panchayat
West: Chengalayi River (Chengalayi Grama Panchayat)
