Migration and Changes in Land use Pattern in Udumbanchola Taluk- Idukki District Kerala

Abstract

This paper outlines the history of migration and the changes in land use pattern in Udumbanchola taluk in Idukki district, Kerala. The relationship between various religious communities has greatly influenced migration, forest enchrochment and conflict over land controle in this area. A historical analysis of this relationship is essential to understanding the causes of changes in land use pattern in the study area. The comparative study shows that the settlement areas that occupied hardly 0.73% in 1910 were increased to 30.57% in 1990 by transferring forest lands, grasslands and cardamom plantations. Due to the depletion of natural vegetation and grass land systembythe establishment of houses, cash cropsand infrastructural facilities, combined with the absence of sufficient land management measures in the side slopes resulted severe land degradation in the study area.