About
Wayanad
Wayanad
District,
in
the
north-east
of
Kerala
,
India
,
was
formed
on
November
1
,
1980
as
the
12th
district,
carved
out
of
Kozhikode
and
Kannur
districts.
The
etymology
of
the
word
Wayanad
is
Vayal
(paddy)
Naad
(land);
'Land
of
Paddy
Fields'.
There
are
many
indigeneous
tribals
in
this
area.
It
is
set
lofty
on
the
majestic
Western
Ghats
with
altitudes
ranging
from
700
to
2100
Metres
above
mean
sea
level.
Wayanad
district
stands
on
the
southern
top
of
the
Deccan
plateau
and
its
chief
glory
is
the
majestic
Western
ghats
with
lofty
ridges
interspersed
with
dense
forest,
tangled
jungles
and
deep
valleys,
the
terrain
is
rugged.
Wayanad
has
a
large
settler
population.
There
are
people
from
almost
all
parts
of
Kerala
who
migrated
to
this
fertile
land
for
building
up
their
lives.
Wayanad
has
a
small
jain
community
consisting
of
Gowders
who
came
from
Karnataka.
The
have
built
beautiful
temples
all
over
the
district.
Almost
all
sections
of
Christianity
are
well
represented.
One
fourth
population
of
Wayanad
is
constituted
by
Christians.
Muslims
constitute
another
one
fourth
population
and
rest
of
the
population
belongs
to
Hindus.
Their
hard
work
and
sacrifice
helped
them
to
prosper.
On
the
other
hand,
the
last
few
decades
have
seen
the
complete
marginalisation
of
the
indigeneous
people.
A
hilly
district
lying
close
to
the
Sahya
ranges
and
with
almost
one
forth
of
the
total
land
area
under
forest
cover,
Wayanad
is
known
for
its
lovely
mist
clad
hill
stations,
sprawling
spice
plantations,
luxuriant
forests
and
rich
cultural
traditions.
Wayanad
district
is
also
home
to
some
of
the
oldest
tribes
in
South
India.
