Chittarikkal

Chittarikaal
—  village  —
Chittarikaal Location of Chittarikaal in Kerala and India
Coordinates	12°19′24″N 75°21′30″E / 12.323360°N 75.358340°E / 12.323360; 75.358340Coordinates: 12°19′24″N 75°21′30″E / 12.323360°N 75.358340°E / 12.323360; 75.358340
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Kasaragod
Population	14,278 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Vehicle • KL-

Chittarikaal is a village in Kasaragod district in the state of Kerala, India.^[1]

History and Etymology

Chitarikaal was a small Hamlet connecting the mountain pathways linking the Thejaswini river jetty at Perumbatta to Cherupuzha and Pulingome, thus forming an important link from the coastal town of Nileshwaram to the further reaches of the Western Ghats. The area was surrounded by forests where the primary mode of agriculture was by shift farming known as "Ponamkrishi" and pepper cultivation. The place was used as a stopover while transporting the forest produce such as pepper to the coast. Hence the name "Chitaari" meaning a storehouse for agritultural produce and "Kaal" i.e.; Leg representing a place to rest the legs. The region was a part of the Dakhina Kannada District, headquartered at Mangalore under the Madras Presidency.

Post-independence and thereafter with the creation of linguistic states the region became a part of the Kannur district of Kerala and subsequently that of Kasaragod District. Post-independence there was a gradual migration of people from the southern districts of Kerala primarily because of the availability of cheap agricultural land. In the following years the pattern of agriculture shifted towards rubber and was pioneered by the migrants from the earstwhile thiruvithamkoor region. The overall development and economy of the region has witnessed a sea change over the years and now Chitarikaal boasts of reasonably modern facilities in terms of roads, electricity, educational institutions, medical facilities etc.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census, Chittarikaal had a population of 14278 with 7000 males and 7278 females.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Census of India : Villages with population 5000 & above". http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Village_Directory/Population_data/Population_5000_and_Above.aspx. Retrieved 2008-12-10.