Institutional history
History and Profile of Kottanad Grama Panchayat
Kottanad Grama Panchayat is a local self-government institution situated within the jurisdiction of Mallappally Block Panchayat in Mallappally Taluk of Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. The Panchayat covers an area of 17.01 square kilometers.
The Panchayat is bounded by:
North: Kottangal Grama Panchayat
East: Ranni Angadi Grama Panchayat
South: Ayiroor Grama Panchayat
West: Ezhumattoor and Kottangal Grama Panchayats
The Panchayat originally consisted of 13 wards, which increased to 14 wards following the ward delimitation carried out in 2024.
Historical Background
In 1949, the area was organized as the Cheriyakunnam Village Union. The first President of the Village Union was Kollanpadikkal A.K. Raghavan Pillai Later, during 1953–54, Kottanad Panchayat was formally established. Kavumpadi Puthenveettil P.Raman Nair was The first President of the Panchayat .The present-day Kottanad Grama Panchayat was originally part of Ezhumattoor Village in Thiruvalla Taluk of the former Kollam District and functioned under the name Cheriyakunnam Village Union. Following the enactment of the Panchayat Act in 1953, it became known as Kottanad Panchayat.When Alappuzha District was formed, the area continued to remain under Thiruvalla Taluk. Subsequently, Ezhumattoor Village was bifurcated into Ezhumattoor Village and Perumpetty Village, with the entire Perumpetty Village area being incorporated into Kottanad Panchayat.Kottanad is located approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Mallappally, the Taluk headquarters, and about 25 kilometers south of Pathanamthitta, the district headquarters, accessible by road.The Panchayat is characterized by a landscape consisting of hills, valleys, and plains. Unlike many other regions of Kerala, Kottanad does not have any major rivers or river systems flowing through it.A portion of the Valiyakavu Reserve Forest falls within the Panchayat area, contributing to its ecological significance.The Panchayat contains only a few seasonal streams that carry water mainly during the monsoon season.
Kottanad is predominantly an agricultural village, with the majority of residents engaged in farming and agricultural labor. The terrain includes hill slopes, valleys, and paddy fields, creating favorable conditions for cultivation.Today, rubber cultivation is the principal agricultural activity in the Panchayat. About 90 years ago, the region was sparsely populated, and most of the land was owned by a few landlords. Following the implementation of land reform legislation, the traditional landlord-tenant system underwent major changes, enabling cultivators to gain greater control over agricultural land and activities.The establishment of Panchayats and subsequent rural development initiatives led to the construction of numerous roads and improved transportation facilities.
As motor vehicle access increased:
Traditional bullock carts gradually disappeared.
Draft cattle previously used for transportation became obsolete.
The introduction of power tillers and tractors replaced ploughing oxen in agricultural operations.
These developments significantly transformed the socio-economic landscape of the Panchayat. The first educational institution in the area was the Perumpetty CMS Lower Primary School at Nedumpura, established by Christian missionaries. Over time, the education sector expanded considerably, and today the Panchayat has 14 educational institutions operating under:
Government management
Community management
Private management
These institutions have played a crucial role in improving literacy and educational attainment in the region. The population of Kottanad consists of people belonging to Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities. The Panchayat is known for its religious harmony, with numerous temples, churches, and mosques serving the spiritual and cultural needs of the people.
Former Presidents of Kottanad Grama Panchayat
P. Raman Nair
Unnikrishnan Nair
Sajan Athyalil
John Mathew
Usha Surendranath
Manoj Charalel
Sujatha M.S.
Sudha P.T.
Prakash P. Sam
Usha Gopi