HISTORY
Ithikkara Block Panchayat holds a significant position in the history of the development of local self-government institutions in Kerala. The Ithikkara Block was formed on April 1, 1961. Under its jurisdiction at that time were the Grama Panchayats of Poothakkulam, Adichanalloor, Paravoor, Nedumpana, and Chathannoor.
In post-independence India, development blocks were established across the country as part of Community Development Programmes aimed at rural development and poverty alleviation. Development blocks began operating as the implementing agencies for these schemes. Following the integration of Travancore and Cochin to form the Travancore-Cochin state, and subsequently with the creation of Kerala state, the activities of development blocks were expanded widely.
Ithikkara Block commenced operations on April 1, 1961. The first year was a pre-extension phase. At that time, the staff consisted of a Block Development Officer, an Agricultural Officer, a Lower Division Clerk, and a Peon. Later, during the Stage–I period, special development officers were appointed to coordinate departments such as Agriculture, Industry, Cooperation, Animal Husbandry, and Panchayat Engineering, and development activities were strengthened by inducting staff including Grama Sevaks, Grama Sevikas, and the Mukhya Sevika.
The Block Advisory Committee, which consisted of Panchayat Presidents, public representatives, political party representatives, MLAs, and MPs from the block region, later transformed into the Block Development Committee. The block’s first office functioned in a rented building at the Chathannoor–Paravoor Junction. Mr. M. Krishna Pillai was the first Block Development Officer.
As part of democratic decentralization and the People's Planning Campaign, the Ithikkara Block Panchayat in its present form came into existence on October 2, 1995, incorporating the Grama Panchayats excluding Paravoor Municipality. Later, in 2005, Chathannoor Grama Panchayat was bifurcated to form Chirakkara Grama Panchayat. Upon the completion of the 2010 delimitation process, Nedumpana Grama Panchayat became part of Mukathala Block Panchayat. With this, the current administrative setup consisting of five Grama Panchayats—Adichanalloor, Chathannoor, Chirakkara, Kalluvathukkal, and Poothakkulam—was formed.
Ithikkara is an area named after the Ithikkara River, which originates from the Western Ghats mountain range in Kollam district. Falling under the Kollam Lok Sabha constituency and Chathannoor Assembly constituency, this Block Panchayat is notable for its natural beauty, agricultural wealth, and cultural heritage. Its boundaries are Kottarakkara Block Panchayat to the north, Varkala Block Panchayat and Paravoor Municipality to the south, Chadayamangalam and Kilimanoor Block Panchayats to the east, and Mukhala Block Panchayat to the west.
Vast agricultural zones including Polachira Ela and Kurungal Ela, paddy cultivation, coconut farming, and plantation crops such as rubber, cashew, and black pepper have strengthened the region's agricultural economy. Traditional industries such as coir, cashew processing, handloom, fishing, and brick manufacturing have also played a crucial role in the area's economic growth.
A treasure trove of cultural heritage, the Ithikkara region is a hub for preserving traditional folk art forms such as Velan Thullal, Kolan Thullal, Parayan Thullal, Kuthiyottam, Padayani, Kakarissi Natakam, and Thiruvathirappattu. This region shares an indelible link with the social values upheld by social renaissance leaders Sree Narayana Gurudevan, Chattampi Swamikal, and Ayyankali. Kannankode House in Parippally is a major historic site that carries memories of Sree Narayana Gurudevan.
In the healthcare sector, the presence of the Kollam Government Medical College in Parippally is a special feature of this block. Today, Ithikkara Block Panchayat stands as a local self-government institution forging ahead on the path of people-centric development by demonstrating exemplary efforts in sectors like education, health, agricultural development, women empowerment, social justice, and environmental protection.
