Nedumangad
Block Panchayat

Nedumangad is one of the major taluks in the Thiruvananthapuram district. The Nedumangad Block, falling under this taluk, is a hilly region of significant importance geographically and in terms of area. It includes the panchayats of Anad, Aruvikkara, Karakulam, Panavoor, and Vembayam. Nedumangad serves as the capital block of this taluk, which unfolds many eventful pages steeped in history.

Legends suggest that the name Nedumangad was derived from Nedu + Van + Kaadu = Neduvankaadu, or from the abundance of a wild tuber called Neduvan, or in connection with a tribal ruler named Neduvan.

Until 1979, the present Nedumangad Municipal area was a panchayat under the Nedumangad Block. Regardless of caste or religion, the people of this land actively participated in the history of the national independence movement. This was clearly evidenced by the communal harmony that prevailed in later years. Great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Sree Narayana Guru, Chattampi Swamikal, Vinoba Bhave, Indira Gandhi, EMS, Nehru, and Achutha Menon have blessed the soil of Nedumangad with their visits.

In the history of the freedom struggle, unforgettable leaders like Ponnara Sreedhar, Mullassery Narayana Pillai, Karakulam Kunjan Pillai, and Nedumangad M.A. Khader added vigor to the progressive ideals of Nedumangad.

Kokkothamangalam, which was ruled by the Pulaya Queen Kotha, falls under this block. This reign was later relocated to Thiruvananthapuram, but memories of Queen Kotha's reign still remain in the pages of history. Koyikkal Palace, which witnessed significant events in the history of Venad, and the rule of Umayamma Rani are part of this region's ancient pride. The area where the palace is situated was moved from the block to the municipal area in 1979.

In 1920, during the time Mr. S.J. Nair was a member of the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha, the Anad Irinchayam Silk Farm was established. This was the first industrial venture in this block. To rear silkworms on an industrial scale, silk moths were brought from China, and the enterprise was started on ten acres of land at Thannimoodu along the Nedumangad–Vembayam route. In memory of this venture, the road is still known today as Thannimoodu Silk Farm Road.

Geographical features, local chieftains, the influence of religions and worship practices, the freedom struggle, labor movements, educational activities, literature, art, visual and sculptural arts development, natural disasters, epidemics, and the general economic backdrop have all played a major role in shaping the culture here.

Descendants of some famous traditional physicians (vaidyas) from Tamil Nadu still reside in the Vembayam Pullampara areas of the block panchayat. The first newspaper in the block area was 'Chengodi', run jointly by Karakulam K.P. and M.A. Khan. High Court Judge Mr. Gangadhara Menon was the MLA of this block region in 1949. The first Communist conference in the block was held in 1951 at Vattappara. N.N. Pandarathil, Kottayam Bhasi, Kattayikonam V. Sreedhar, and Kattayikonam Sadanandan attended and spoke at the event. N. Chakrapani, known as N.C. Pani, the district's early communist martyr, was a native of Vattappara in this block.

Agriculture was the primary livelihood of the people of Nedumangad. Paddy, tapioca (cassava), and coconut were the main agricultural crops. Traders from South Travancore used to arrive in Nedumangad to procure products like tapioca and black pepper, which grew abundantly in the hilly areas.

The Agricultural Relations Bill of 1959 brought massive changes to the agricultural sector of Nedumangad, as it did elsewhere in Kerala. Nedumangad has been at the forefront of hill produce marketing since ancient times. Products from here were exported via the Alappuzha port. Since antiquity, Nedumangad held a prominent position even in international trade.

Coconut, black pepper, and betel nut were produced in large quantities. The vast majority of the population sustained their livelihoods through agriculture. However, significant changes have occurred today. People leaving the agricultural sector to pursue other jobs and the inability to generate the expected income increase from agriculture have led to a decline in food production.

Aruvikkara Dam, Manidweep, Rajapath, Thirichittappara, and Thirichittoor Shiva-Vishnu Temple are prominent, scenic tourist destinations in Nedumangad Block Panchayat. The fact that large quantities of beryl/chrysoberyl (vaiduryam) were mined in the past from areas like Karakulam, Aruvikkara, and Chullimanoor further highlights the glory of Nedumangad.

As part of the First Five-Year Plan, the Community Development Program was inaugurated at the national level on October 2, 1952, on Gandhi Jayanti. As part of this initiative, the Nedumangad Block office began operations centered at Karimpinkavu in Venkavila. Administrative sanction for the construction of the office building was received on December 26, 1956, and construction was completed on May 2, 1957.

The first Block Development Officer (BDO) of Nedumangad was Mr. Velayudhan Nair. The inauguration of the block building in 1957 was performed by the then Union Minister for Community Development, Mr. S.K. Patil. Anad Panchayat President Mr. Kunjukrishna Pillai, State Chief Secretary Mr. Raghavachari, and the first Panchayat Director Mr. Abdul Salam attended the event.

Established in 1954, the Nedumangad Block Panchayat originally comprised panchayats such as Anad, Karakulam, Aruvikkara, and Vembayam. Today, Panavoor Grama Panchayat has also been brought under the jurisdiction of the Nedumangad Block.

The first President of the Nedumangad Block was Adv. V. Bhuvanendran Nair, and the Development Committee Chairman was Adv. Mullassery Gopalakrishnan Nair. With the implementation of the three-tier panchayat system, an elected governing body came into existence for block panchayats. Although there were initially differing opinions regarding the popular system at the block level, block governing bodies have now proven to be an essential element in the development activities of our land.