Kerala: Geography, History, Economy, Culture and UPSC Notes

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Overview

• Kerala is a narrow coastal state situated in the south-western part of India.
• It is known for its high human-development indicators, tropical forests, extensive backwaters, spice cultivation, maritime history, religious diversity and strong system of decentralised governance. .
• For the UPSC Civil Services Examination, Kerala UPSC Notes are relevant to Indian geography, modern Indian history, art and culture, environment and biodiversity, disaster management, economy, social development, infrastructure and Centre–State relations.
• Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956 by bringing together the major Malayalam-speaking regions under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
• Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital, while Kochi is its leading commercial and industrial centre.

Kerala at a Glance

• Kerala is one of India’s smaller states in geographical area, but it has a high population density and a dispersed settlement pattern.
• According to the 2011 Census, Kerala recorded a literacy rate of about 94%, a sex ratio of 1,084 females per 1,000 males and a population of approximately 3.34 crore.

Location and Neighbouring Regions

Kerala lies along the Malabar Coast in the southern part of the Indian peninsula.

It is bordered by

• Karnataka in the north and north-east.
• Tamil Nadu in the east and south-east.
• The Arabian Sea in the west.
• The Mahe region of the Union Territory of Puducherry is located as an enclave along Kerala’s northern coast.

The state extends in a narrow strip between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. Its location has strongly influenced its climate, biodiversity, agriculture, maritime trade and cultural evolution.

The Palakkad Gap, a major break in the Western Ghats, connects Kerala with the plains of Tamil Nadu. It has historically served as an important route for trade, migration, transport and cultural interaction between the Malabar Coast and the interior of peninsular India.

Kerala has a coastline of approximately 590 kilometres. Its proximity to major international sea routes has supported the development of ancient ports, modern shipping facilities, fisheries and maritime trade.

Capital and Administrative Divisions

Thiruvananthapuram is the political and administrative capital of Kerala. It houses the State Secretariat, Kerala Legislative Assembly and the principal offices of the state government.

Kerala is divided into 14 districts:

1. Thiruvananthapuram
2. Kollam
3. Pathanamthitta
4. Alappuzha
5. Kottayam
6. Idukki
7. Ernakulam
8. Thrissur
9. Palakkad
10. Malappuram
11. Kozhikode
12. Wayanad
13. Kannur
14. Kasaragod

The districts are further divided into revenue divisions, taluks and villages. Kerala currently has 77 taluks. District administration is headed by a District Collector, while taluks are administered by Tahsildars.

Kerala has a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in rural areas:

• Gram Panchayats
• Block Panchayats
• District Panchayats

Urban local bodies consist of municipal corporations and municipalities. Kerala is widely recognised for democratic decentralisation, participatory planning and the transfer of significant development responsibilities to local governments.

Physical Geography of Kerala

Kerala may be divided into three broad physiographic regions running roughly parallel to the coast.

Highlands

• The highlands form the eastern part of Kerala and are associated with the Western Ghats. They include steep mountains, deep valleys, tropical forests and plantation areas.
• The highlands are important for:
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Hydroelectric power generation
  • Plantation agriculture
  • River formation
  • Tourism
  • Regulation of the regional climate

Midlands

• The midlands consist of undulating hills, lateritic uplands and valleys lying between the Western Ghats and the coastal plains.
• They support:
  • Mixed farming
  • Rubber plantations
  • Coconut cultivation
  • Settlements
  • Small-scale industries

Lowlands and Coastal Plains

• The lowlands include the narrow coastal plain, beaches, sandbars, lagoons, estuaries, wetlands and backwaters.
• Important geographical features include:
  • Vembanad Lake
  • Ashtamudi Lake
  • Kuttanad wetlands
  • Kole wetlands
  • Coastal islands
  • Estuaries and mangrove ecosystems

Kerala’s highlands, midlands and coastal plains form three longitudinal physiographic zones.

Western Ghats in Kerala

• The Western Ghats run along the eastern boundary of Kerala and form an important ecological and climatic barrier.
• They are significant because they:
  • Intercept the moisture-bearing south-west monsoon winds.
  • Form the source region of most Kerala rivers.
  • Contain tropical evergreen and montane forests.
  • Support several endemic and threatened species.
  • Form part of a global biodiversity hotspot.
  • Influence agriculture, hydropower and water security.

Important hill ranges include the Anaimalai Hills, Cardamom Hills, Agasthyamalai Hills and Nilgiri Hills. Anamudi, located in the Western Ghats in Idukki district, is the highest peak in Kerala and the highest peak in peninsular India. It rises to approximately 2,695 metres above sea level.

Rivers, Lakes and Backwaters of Kerala

Kerala has 44 major rivers. Of these, 41 flow westwards into the Arabian Sea, while three flow eastwards towards the neighbouring states.

Most rivers are:

• Short in length
• Swift-flowing
• Monsoon-fed
• Originating in the Western Ghats
• Characterised by steep gradients in their upper courses

Important west-flowing rivers include:

• Periyar
• Bharathapuzha
• Pamba
• Chaliyar
• Chalakudy
• Kallada
• Achankovil
• Valapattanam
• Kadalundi
• Neyyar

The east-flowing rivers are:

• Kabini
• Bhavani
• Pambar

Periyar

The Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. It is important for drinking water, irrigation, industries and hydroelectric power generation.

The Idukki hydroelectric project and several other dams are located within the Periyar river system.

Bharathapuzha

Bharathapuzha, also called Nila, is closely associated with Kerala’s cultural and literary traditions. It flows through the Palakkad and Malappuram regions before entering the Arabian Sea near Ponnani.

Pamba

The Pamba River is associated with the Sabarimala pilgrimage and supports agriculture and settlements in central Kerala.

Chalakudy River

The Chalakudy River is known for its biodiversity and is associated with the Athirappilly and Vazhachal waterfalls.

Important lakes and wetlands include:

• Vembanad Lake
• Ashtamudi Lake
• Sasthamkotta Lake
• Kayamkulam Lake
• Pookode Lake
• Vellayani Lake

Climate of Kerala

Kerala experiences a tropical monsoon climate influenced by the Arabian Sea, Western Ghats and seasonal monsoon winds.

The state receives rainfall mainly from:

South-West Monsoon

• The south-west monsoon normally reaches Kerala at the beginning of June. Kerala is generally the first Indian state to experience the onset of this monsoon.
• The windward slopes of the Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall due to orographic uplift.

North-East Monsoon

• The north-east monsoon contributes rainfall mainly to southern Kerala during October and November.

Pre-Monsoon Showers

• Kerala receives summer convectional rainfall before the onset of the south-west monsoon. These showers are locally important for crops such as coffee and spices.
• Temperatures are generally moderate in the coastal areas because of maritime influence. Hill stations such as Munnar, Wayanad and the higher ranges experience cooler conditions.

Climate change is affecting Kerala through:

• Short-duration extreme rainfall
• Increasing landslide risk
• Coastal erosion
• Sea-level rise
• Heat stress
• Changes in rainfall distribution
• Floods and urban waterlogging
• Drought-like summer conditions

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