Kolachery
Grama Panchayat

Topography

Kolachery Grama Panchayat is situated in Taliparamba Taluk of Kannur District, within the Edakkad Block. Spread across the villages of Kolachery and Cheleri, Kolachery Grama Panchayat has an area of 20.72 square kilometres.

The boundaries of the Panchayat are:

• North: Valapattanam River
• South: Munderi River
• East: Mayyil and Kuttayattur Grama Panchayats
• West: Narath Grama Panchayat

Based on the average elevation above sea level, the geographical regions of Kerala are broadly classified into Highlands, Midlands, and Coastal Plains. Kolachery Grama Panchayat falls under the Midland category. Most of Kolachery lies at an elevation of up to 60 metres above mean sea level.

The Panchayat has three major types of landforms: hill crests/ridge crests, slopes, and valleys. The upper portions of the major hills in the Panchayat are relatively level areas with gentle slopes. Most of these areas, classified as hill crests, remain largely unused due to the absence of topsoil and the presence of hard laterite rocks. In some such areas, rubber and cashew are cultivated on a limited scale.

Areas situated between the elevated regions of the Panchayat and having very gentle slopes are classified as valleys. The degree of slope varies across different parts of the Panchayat.

The major soil types found in the Panchayat include laterite, lateritic soil, rock, alluvial soil, loamy soil, and sandy loam soil. Lateritic soil is the most predominant type. Marshy areas are also found in Noonjeri, Karayapp, and Pampuruthi. Kaipad agricultural fields are found in the south-eastern part of the Panchayat.

Pampuruthi is a naturally beautiful island surrounded by the Valapattanam River. It is an area of considerable ecological importance.

One prevailing assumption regarding the origin of the name “Kolachery” is that it may have originated from the historical circumstances in which ancient local rulers, who were reportedly ruthless enough to behead their opponents without hesitation, ruled this region.

In certain areas adjoining the Valapattanam River, coconut and arecanut are cultivated, while paddy cultivation is carried out in the level fields. The eastern side of the paddy fields consists of sloping areas, followed by elevated regions. Coconut, pepper, and arecanut are cultivated on the slopes.

From ancient times, greater attention and care have been given to paddy cultivation. Farmers traditionally depended entirely on rain-fed agriculture. Paddy was cultivated on nearly half of the agricultural land. Pulses, tapioca, plantain, and vegetables were also cultivated in the fields.

The Valapattanam River and Munderi River are the major rivers flowing along the boundaries of the Panchayat.