Geography of the Panchayat
The panchayat has a midland topography. The panchayat can be divided into three types according to its topography. High hill areas, sloping lands, and paddy plains.
The highlands of the panchayat are the Nariveli hill and the Manniyakkun in the third ward and the Vattukulangara area in the fifth ward. In addition, the Pariyakkun in the second and third wards, the Puratkeenun in the fourth ward, the Idakkattuveli hill in the sixth ward and the Nadu hill in the seventh ward are other highlands. All these areas were forests in the past. These areas, filled with tall trees and vines, were home to many wild animals. The areas of the panchayat, including the tops of these hills, have now become agricultural lands. The main reason for the conversion of these areas to agricultural land was the increase in population density and the arrival of more industrious Christians. The main crop in those days was murti (kappa). Kappa cultivation was the most important crop in Kidangoor village at that time. But today, there is no kappa cultivation in any of these highlands. Rubber cultivation has encroached on all those places. Most of the land is red soil filled with cut stones. The soil had water storage capacity due to the presence of large trees. But today, it has been lost and these areas are facing severe water shortage due to the presence of rubber trees, which require more water. With the increase in population density, the use of water has also increased. The solution to this is to expand other fruit trees and small-scale farming along with rubber.
Most of the area of the panchayat (about 60%) is the slope areas of the aforementioned hill areas. All the highlands have gently sloping terrain on all four sides. Very fertile black soil is found in most of the areas. The Meenachil River flows through these areas towards the end of the panchayat.
This area and its agricultural products were the most useful for the prosperity of our village and the livelihood of the people. Today, more than 80% of this area is covered with rubber (small rubber). Due to the cutting down of other trees, this area is also facing water scarcity today. It is also facing the threat of soil erosion. The only solution to this is to divide the land into terraces and to store water in the soil, and to build strong embankments at a huge cost for each household.
After taking the hilly areas and the sloping areas, the remaining 10% of the land was used for paddy fields. With the help of the Meenachil River and the various streams flowing into it, these areas were cultivated twice a year. In addition to rice, sesame, urad, lentils, etc. were also cultivated, and after the harvest, vegetables, especially cucumbers and sweet potatoes, were also cultivated. But with the use of fields and plains for brick making, rice cultivation has disappeared in many areas. Also, as new roads and houses have blocked the water drainage channels in these areas, only flower cultivation has become a thing in the remaining areas. Rice cultivation is a loss in our village today. Due to this and many other technical reasons, rice farmers are frustrated and reluctant. The main water sources are the Meenachil River and the water bodies including its tributaries or streams. In addition, ponds, wells and canals are also water sources.
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