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Kuttanad

Kuttanadu
കുട്ടനാട്
Kuttanadu
Taluk
Kettuvallams line up in the Kuttanad region
Kettuvallams line up in the Kuttanad region
Nickname(s): Lowest Region of India, Lowest Region of the Indian Subcontinent
Kuttanadu is located in Kerala
Kuttanadu
Kuttanadu
Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 9°25′30″N 76°27′50″E / 9.42500°N 76.46389°E / 9.42500; 76.46389Coordinates: 9°25′30″N 76°27′50″E / 9.42500°N 76.46389°E / 9.42500; 76.46389
Country  India
State Kerala
District Alappuzha
Elevation -2.2 m (−7.2 ft)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 6895- 6896-
Telephone code 0477 ,0479
Vehicle registration KL 66
Nearest city Cochin

Kuttanadu is a region covering the Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lowest altitude in India, and is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried around 1.2 to 3.0 metres (4 to 10 ft) below sea level. Kuttanadu is historically important in the ancient history of South India and is the major rice producer in the state. Farmers of Kuttinad famous for Biosaline Farming. FAO has declared the Kuttanad Farming System as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Four of Kerala's major rivers, the Pamba, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala flow into the region. It is well known for it boat race in the Ramankari Backwaters. Also known in Malayalam as:(Vallamkalli).

There is no recorded history on the origin of this land. But the oral history among local people, transferred from generation to generation is a blend of myths and legends. According to one legend, Kuttanad was believed to be forest with dense tree growth. This forest was destroyed subsequently by a wild fire. Chuttanad (place of the burnt forest), was eventually called Kuttanad. It is a well known fact that burned black wooden logs were mined from paddy fields called as ‘Karinilam’(Black paddy fields)until the recent past. This fact throws some light on this theory of Chuttanad evolving to Kuttanad. In Kuttanad most of the place names end in kari. Some familiar place names are Ramankary, Puthukkary, Amichakary, Oorukkary, Mithrakary, Mampuzhakary, Kainakary, Chathurthiakary and Chennamkary.

The Kuttanad region is categorised into:

Lower Kuttanadu comprises taluks of Ambalapuzha taluk, Kuttanadu (excluding Edathua, Thalavady and Muttar, and the northern half of Karthikapally taluk in Alappuzha district).

Upper Kuttanad comprises Veeyapuram village in Karthikapally taluk, Edathua, Thalavady, Kidangara and Muttar in Kuttanad taluk; Chennithala village in Mavelikkara, Mannar, Kuruttissery, Budhanur, Ennakkad villages in Chengannur taluk of Alappuzha district; and Parumala, Kadapra, Niranam, Pulikeezhu, Peringara, Chathenkeri, Nedumpuram, villages of Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district.


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