Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the state of Kerala in southern India, located at 9.36 N and 76.17 E. It is the administrative headquarters of Kottayam District. In 1989, Kottayam became the first town in India to achieve 100% literacy.
Kottayam has a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad lake, part of the interconnected Kerala Backwaters that run virtually the length of the state. Vembanad Lake is 83.72 km. in length and 14.48 km in width. Traditional cargo boats called Kettuvallams are now modified into cruise/house boats. A small island called Pathiramanal (Midnight Sands, accessible only by boat) in the Vembanad lake is a major tourist attraction.
In the festive months of August and September, the rivers in and near Kottayam are turned into festival centres. The serene lakes come alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta - the snake boat races where oarsmen, at least a hundred in one boat, slice their way through the waters to the fast rhythm of their own full throated singing. In the Kumarakom boat race conducted at Kavanar and Kottathodu rivers, about 50 types of boats including veppu, ody and churulan boats participate.
Thekkady (Periyar Tiger Reserve) is 104 km (3-4 hour by bus/car) away from Kottayam in Idukki District. Kottayam is also a gateway to the pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Thirunkakkara, Bharananganam, Erumeli, Manarcaud, Athirampuzha, Kuravilangadu and Kidangoor so on. Kottayam town is linked by rail and waterways. There is a helipad near the Kottayam collectorate. The nearest airport is 85 km away at Kochi (Nedumbassery).
Kottayam is the first town in India selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to be transformed as an Eco City.
Tourist Places
Bharanaganam Near Pala Pilgrimage centre [Sr. Alphonsa]
Cherupally [Small church] St Mary's Orthodox Church An elegant facade spoilt by tacked - on entrance porches 400 year old vegetable dye paintings on the walls and ceiling.
Ettumannoore Siva Temple. 12 km north of Kottayam. Noted for its superb wood carvings and murals.
Kumarakom The Bird Sanctuary of Vembanad lake is 16 km west of Kottayam in a former Rubber plantation. Local fowl as well as migratory species are here.
Mannanam Near Ettumannore, Christian Pilgrim Centre [Chavara Fr. Kuriakose Elias].
Thirunakkara Siva Temple is at the Centre of the town.
Valiapally [Big Church. St.Mary's Orthodox Church Was built in 1550. Altar is flanked by some stone crosses, one with Persian inscription.
Industries
Cottage and village industries
Cottage and village industries are promoted mainly by the Khadi and village Industries Commission KVIC/KVIB and Khadi and village Industries Board (KVIB). The KVIB has an office at Kottayam. There are about 94 industries, for which assistance is given by KVIB. These industries are labour intensive and involve less capital. Apart from KVIC and KVIB, the village and cottage industries are also promoted under Government sponsored programs like IRDP, PMRY etc.
Small Scale Industries
As on 31.3.1996, there were 15009 registered Small Scale Industries (SSI) units in the district. Of this, 1730 were registered during 1995-96. The growth of SSI in the district had been marginal and the number of units registered during 1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96 were 1569, 1655 and 1730 respectively.
Raw material based Industries
The most important feature of the district is the availability of natural rubber in plenty. It is estimated that Kottayam district alone accounts for 25% of the total production of natural rubber in the country. Rubber being a major raw material for about 35000 different types of products, can help in setting up of more rubber based industries. Moreover, the location of Rubber Board and Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) are the added advantages for the development of this industry.
At present, there are about 2000 rubber based industries in the district. Although, it accounts for the largest share in the total industries, it could be much more, considering the availability of the raw material. There is a proposal to set up a large type factory at Pala, which can enhance industrial activity in the district.
Wood based industry
Wood is another major raw material which is available in the district. A variety of quality timbers are available locally or from the neighbouring district. Recently, the processed rubber wood has been gaining popularity for furniture making, interior decorations and even as construction material. There is a tremendous potential for establishing rubber wood processing units. There are about 1300 wood based industries in the district.
Agro based industries
Agriculture is the major economic activity in the district. About 50% of the net domestic product of the district is contributed by agriculture and other primary activities. Processing of these products can be a major industrial activity in the district. Some of the major agriculture products available are rubber coconut, vegetable, paddy, spices, pineapple, pepper, ginger, milk, meat, fish etc.
Demand based Industries
Kerala is a consumer state. Most of the items required are being imported from the neighbouring states. The situation in Kottayam is not different. This being the situation, there is a ready market for most of the products that can be produced in Kottayam. A survey conducted by KITCO in 1994 revealed that about 64% of the industrial products, have good market within state itself.
The demand based industries possible in the district are garment making, plastic product, automobile products, metal and non metal industrial products, food and beverages, paper and printing units, building/construction materials, leather goods, repair units etc. It is observed that there is a high demand for consumer non durable articles.
Skill based Industries
There is also good potential for skill based industries. This is basically due to the high level of educational and technical qualifications among the people. There is an Engineering college, 2 polytechnics, 3 junior technical schools and 6 technical high schools which impart technical skills to the people. Apart from these, the institutions in the other districts and the states are also being utilised by the people of the district. Agencies like Rubber Board, Malanad Development Society, Changanassery Social Service Society, Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Project, also help in improving the skills of the unemployed youth.
The Skill based industries like electrical and electronic industries, general engineering, mechanical workshops, repairing units, construction activities, etc. have good potential in the district.
Rubber based Industries
By the virtue of being the largest natural rubber producing district in the country, Kottayam district has the distinct advantage of promoting rubber based industries. The statistics of the existing industries also show that about 15% of the existing units are based on rubber.
There are two types of industries possible in the rubber sector. One is the processing industry with rubber wood or latex. Other is the manufacturing industry based on latex or dry rubber. The former include centrifugal factories, creaming of rubber and crumb rubber industry. These are capital intensive industries. The World Bank project for rubber development envisages financing of such industries also. Under the manufacturing industries about 35000 products are possible. They are of two types based on the type of raw material used for it. Some are based on latex which include products like gloves, balloons, latex foam, rubber band etc. and others are based on dry rubber sheets and the products include manufacturing of tyres and tubes, automobile parts, erasers, moulded goods etc.
Artisan and decentralized units
The exact number of the artisan and other decentralised units in the district is not available. But it is understood, that there exist a number of artisan units like black smithy, carpentry and gold smithy in the district. A majority of these units have availed of credit and subsidy assistance under IRDP, KVIC/KVIB programs or SC/ST action plan. It is estimated that there is scope to establish about 500 units under this sector every year.
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