First time in 130 years: Mullaperiyar makes headlines again

KOCHI: Mullaperiyar is the largest ward in Kerala in the local body elections. It is the 13th ward of Kumily Grama Panchayat. Mullaperiyar Dam is also in this ward. With 1,372 voters, the ward includes the Periyar Tiger Reserve, which is spread over an area of ​​925 square kilometers, the Forest Department quarters, and the residential areas of Thekkady, Labbakandam, Kurisumala and Vallakadavu.

Two polling stations: Thekkady Amalambika Public School and Pachakkanam Anganwadi. There is a distance of 40 km between them. 98 percent of the voters are in the Amalambika booth. There are only 20 voters in Pachakkanam. The ward, which was known as Thekkady until the last election, has been re-divided into Mullaperiyar this time. It is currently a Scheduled Tribe reservation ward.

Kumily Labbakandam Adivasi Unnati's K Raman Mumtaz (UDF), Shaji Ponnaiyan (LDF) and K A Raju (NDA) are the candidates. This is the first time in the 130-year history of Mullaperiyar that a ward has been formed with that name.

Kumily tops in village panchayats

Kumily village panchayat in Idukki district is the first in the state in terms of area. The area is 964.19 square kilometers. Of this, 925 square kilometers is the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Mullaperiyar ward comprises 90 percent of it.

Kumily village is bordered by Pathanamthitta district in the south, Tamil Nadu in the east, Chakkupallam village panchayat in the north, and Vandiperiyar village panchayat in the west.