Udumbannoor Grama Panchayat – A Brief Note

Udumbannoor Grama Panchayat is an important village panchayat situated in Thodupuzha Taluk of Idukki district. Established in 1953, the Panchayat has achieved a notable position in development activities, agriculture, and social progress. The revenue villages included under the Panchayat are Udumbannoor and Neyyassery. Administratively, it is a part of the Elamdesam Block Panchayat and the local self-government system of Idukki district.

The Panchayat covers an area of 87 square kilometers and, according to the 2011 Census, has a population of 23,859 people, including 12,030 women and 11,829 men. The Panchayat consists of 16 wards and 7,014 houses. The population of children below six years of age is 2,745.

In terms of social composition, the Scheduled Caste population is 945, while the Scheduled Tribe population is 2,702. The Panchayat is also advanced in the field of education, with a literate population of 19,433.

At present, Smt. Jiji Surendran serves as the President of the Panchayat, while Smt. Shameena A.S. serves as the Vice President. The first President of the Panchayat was T.S. Varkey Thadathil.

Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood in the Panchayat. Rubber cultivation is widely practiced, along with mixed farming, tapioca, coffee, pepper, cocoa, arecanut, cardamom, and cashew cultivation. About 59 square kilometers of the Panchayat area consist of forests and plantation regions.

Geographically, Udumbannoor Panchayat is situated amidst beautiful hills and agricultural landscapes. The Panchayat is bordered by Arakkulam and Vazhathope Grama Panchayats to the east, Karimannoor and Alakkode Grama Panchayats to the west, Velliyamattom Grama Panchayat to the south, and Idukki–Kanjikuzhy Grama Panchayat to the north.

With a strong focus on social development, agriculture, education, environmental conservation, and public welfare activities, Udumbannoor Grama Panchayat is widely recognized as a model village panchayat.