History
History
The geographical area of Kannambra Grama Panchayat was part of the Malabar District during the old British period. Kannambra Nair Veedu was the largest ancestral landlord household in the area. The Kannambra Thodu (stream) flows adjacent to Kannambra Nair Veedu. In those days, a wooden bridge was used for travelling across the Kannambra Thodu.
It is said that there was heavy rainfall and flooding in 1924. Roads were flooded, and water entered the paddy fields as well as Kannambra Nair Veedu, the Ettukettu and Puthan Veedu. As a result, the residents had to move to safer places temporarily. Children travelling to Kannambra A.U.P. School, established in 1990, also faced difficulties for several days during such flood situations.
Before the implementation of the People's Planning Programme, people mainly depended on open wells for drinking water. In 1983, the area experienced a severe drought, and drinking water was distributed through tanker lorries. The paddy fields on the western side of the Kannambra Thodu dried up, resulting in extensive damage to the second crop.
In 1996–97, a landslide occurred at Kallikkunnu Hill, situated at Kallinkalppadam in the 14th Ward of the Panchayat. The incident was repeated in 1998. Although there was no loss of life, extensive damage to agricultural crops was reported.
During the heavy rainfall of 2018, landslides and landslips also occurred. The water and debris from the landslide flowed towards parts of Pazhayannur Panchayat in Thrissur District. Five Scheduled Caste families were residing in the Vazhodu Ambathekkar Harijan Colony, where the landslide occurred. They were relocated to Kallinkalppadam G.H.S.S. Later, as the Revenue authorities declared the area environmentally sensitive, these families were left without houses and land.
During the heavy rainfall of 2006–07, the Mangalam River overflowed and inundated the Konnanchery–Kizhakkumuri area of the 8th Ward. Water entered houses, and around 200 people were relocated to Konnanchery C.A.L.P.S. Paddy fields in the riverside areas of Chira, Konnanchery, Kolayakkad and other places were also flooded, resulting in crop losses.
During the heavy rainfall in 2018 and 2019, the Kannambra Thodu overflowed, causing flooding in the paddy fields of Bhagavathippadam, Manjapra, Kolayakkad and nearby areas. This resulted in significant agricultural losses.
It is said that the term “Panchayat” originated from the concept of administering five villages. Modern village panchayats were formed in several stages during the 20th century. During the period of the erstwhile kingdoms, Village Panchayat Acts were introduced in Cochin in 1914 and in Travancore in 1925. In the case of Malabar, a similar law came into force in 1950.
Initially, the system provided for members to be nominated by the Government and later elected by the people. Accordingly, Kongad Kochumadhavan Nair became the President in Manjapra. These panchayats also had certain judicial powers.
In 1954, elected governing committees came into existence. Vaithyeswara Ayyar was elected President in Kannambra, while Kunnisserikkalam Appukuttan was elected President in Manjapra.
In 1961, the Manjapra and Kannambra Panchayats were merged to form Kannambra Grama Panchayat. In 1960, the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed the Panchayat Act applicable throughout the State. Subsequently, Panchayat elections were held across the State in 1964. Thus, governing committees elected through the secret ballot system came to power. Sri. P. Padmanabhan, who served as President, continued in office until the next election in 1980.
Historians are of the opinion that this region, which forms a continuation of the Kuthiran Hills, was once characterized by extensive rocky terrain. Several local place names reflect this geographical character, including Vaniyambpara, Neelippara, Valuvechuppara and Nadathippara.
It is also said that there was once a place known as “Kannampara” and that the name “Kannambra” originated through the gradual alteration and disappearance of the former name.
