Kannapuram
Grama Panchayat

Kannapuram Grama Panchayat

Kannapuram Grama Panchayat was established in 1960. It is situated in  Kalliassery Block of Kannur Taluk in Kannur District. The Panchayat has a total area of 14.39 square kilometres.

The boundaries of the Panchayat are:

• North: Cherukunnu and Pattuvam Grama Panchayats
• East: Pattuvam and Kalliassery Grama Panchayats and Taliparamba Municipality
• South: Kalliassery and Mattool Grama Panchayats
• West: Mattool and Cherukunnu Grama Panchayats

The total population is 18,527, comprising 8,541 females and 9,986 males. Kannapuram is a Panchayat with a literacy rate of 83.25%.

The hilly areas of Christukunnu, Keezhara and Karakunnu are located within the Panchayat. The people of the Panchayat depend on 72 public drinking-water taps and 6 public wells for their drinking-water needs.

There are 6 ration shops functioning under the Public Distribution System in the Panchayat. In addition, one Maveli Store and one Neethi Store are also functioning as part of the public distribution system. A total of 877 streetlights have been installed, making the roads and streets of the Panchayat accessible and safer during the night.

Agriculture

Based on its geographical features, Kannapuram Panchayat, which is situated in the coastal region, can be broadly classified into four types of terrain: hilly areas, sloping areas, valleys and marshy lands.

The major types of soil found in the Panchayat include fertile black clay soil, loamy soil, clay-mixed loamy soil and sandy soil.

The major crops cultivated in the Panchayat are coconut, paddy and arecanut. The Pattuvam River and Thokkumpad River are the major water sources of the Panchayat. In addition, there are 6 ponds and 6 public wells serving as other sources of irrigation.

Industrial Sector

Although there are no major large-scale industries of significant importance in the Panchayat, several small-scale industries are functioning in different parts of the Panchayat. These include handloom/weaving units, timber mills, soap mills, plywood units and baniyan garment manufacturing units.

In addition, Annapoorna Gas Agency is situated within Kannapuram Panchayat. Kannapuram has considerable potential for the development of small and medium-scale industries.

Education

The history of education in the Panchayat began with traditional village schools (Ezhuthupallikoodams). Many of these early schools later received Government recognition.

At present, 6 Government schools and 2 privately managed schools are functioning within Kannapuram Panchayat.

Institutions

A Veterinary Hospital functioning under the Department of Animal Husbandry is situated at Kannapuram.

The major Government offices functioning within the Panchayat include the Kerala State Electricity Board Office, Telephone Division Office, 3 Post Offices, Treasury, Matsyabhavan, Village Office, Krishi Bhavan and Police Station.

The major financial institutions in the Panchayat include the Kannur District Co-operative Bank, Kannapuram Service Co-operative Bank, Service Co-operative Bank Keezhara Branch and Service Co-operative Bank China Clay Branch.

Transport

The Pappinisseri Road and Pilathara Road pass through Kannapuram Panchayat. Pazhangadi Bus Stand is an important centre for road transportation in the Panchayat.

Kannapuram Railway Station is the nearest railway station to the Panchayat.

For international air travel, the residents mainly depend on the nearest airports, namely Mangaluru Airport and Karipur Airport. The construction of the proposed Kannur International Airport at Mattannur in Kannur was progressing at the time of preparation of this profile.

Azhikkal Port is the nearest port to the Panchayat. Thokkumpad and Mattool are the nearby centres for water transportation.

The bridges in the area are important indicators of the development of the transport sector. Kannapuram Valiyapalam and Mungam Bridge are the major bridges in the Panchayat.

Although Kannapuram Panchayat has adequate transportation facilities, further improvement in transportation infrastructure is essential for the effective implementation of the Panchayat's development projects.

Commercial Sector

There is one market and one weekly/local market (chantha) in Kannapuram Panchayat. Although there are several small shops and commercial establishments, there are no major shopping complexes or large commercial centres.

Cultural Sector

There are numerous places of worship in the Panchayat. These include 5 temples, 3 Christian churches and 5 mosques, situated in different parts of the Panchayat.

The Muchilottukavu Kaliyattam and Karakkavu Kaliyattam are among the major festivals celebrated in the Panchayat. The residents participate in local festivals irrespective of caste or religion, reflecting the communal harmony of the area.

The notable personalities associated with the Panchayat who are no longer living include political activist O.K. Munshi Vidwan, former MLA Devutty, and freedom fighters P.N. Kunjiraman, T.P. Balakrishnan and Dr. Sivaraman.

Around ten libraries and reading rooms are functioning in Kannapuram Panchayat, including Netaji Vayanashala, Vijnana Poshini Vayanashala, A.K.G. Vayanashala and Karshaka Vayanashala.

There are also 3 marriage halls functioning within the Panchayat.

Health Sector

Various health centres providing healthcare services are functioning within the Panchayat. The major institutions providing primary healthcare facilities include the Ayurveda Hospital, Homoeopathic Hospital, Primary Health Centre at Cherukunnu and Raman Memorial Hospital.