Abstract :
Land has many uses but its availability is limited. During the early 1940s extensive food shortages occurred throughout Travancore. As a result, the government opened forestlands on an emergency basis for food cultivation and in 1941 granted exclusive cultivation rights known as ‘Kuthakapattam’ was given (cultivation on a short-term lease) in state forest areas. Soon after independence, India decided to re-organize state boundaries on a linguistic basis. The post Independence State reorganization period witnessed Tamil-Malayali dispute for control of the High Ranges. The Government of Travancore-Cochin initiated settlement programmes in the High Range areas in order to alter the regional linguistic balance. Pattom colony, which was sponsored by Pattom Thanupillai ministry, as a part of High Range colonization scheme. It led to forest encroachment, deforestation, soil erosion, migration, conflict over control of land and labour struggle and identity crisis etc.
Keyword :
Kuthakapattam, Annas, Prathidwani, Pattayam, Blocks, Pilot colony