(photo taken enroute Chembra, Peak, Wayanad. This was probably 2 -3 seconds before the start of a heavy rain. The photo is is at is is without any edits or corrections whatsover)
Kerala - the popular tourist and Ayurvedic treatment destination is probably well known. Wayanad is the least populated district of Kerala and one of most beautiful regions. Wayanad has a peculiar landscape of small hills, paddy fields, some areas receive highest rain falls per year in the world. Its home to handful tribal communities belonging to hunting gatherer to nomadic tribes. Further, around 90% of the land area is a forest and there is a possibility of a tiger reserver to be announced covering all but two villages (Thondarnad & Chithalayam I believe).
Banasura Sagar mud dam is one of the largest mud dams in the country and as someone born and brought up in Wayanad, I grew up stories about the dam creating flood, our lands loosing it etc. As a 8 or 9 year old boy I travelled to the dam site with Mr Sasi who was a labourer who had arrived for road construction in our area. That was my first ever "trip" and all that remains in my vague memory is an adventurous ride in a tractor. In anycase, I wanted to be the first one to write about Wayanad on Steemit :-)
The hilly region's primary occupation is agriculture. Originally Wayanad was known for its paddy fields and rice cultivation but know most of the rice fields are converted to banana crop. The region has Coffee, Pepper, Tea and Vanilla as well. Rubber plantations & oil palms are common too but I doubt whether they are suited for the climate.
Permunatti - she belongs to the Adiya Tribe
Adiya kids playing in the paddy fields.....
A Paniya Tribal Lady by my school
I think the region has lot of potential to promote eco-tourism. There are quite few such efforts happening and in the long term I feel this will create sustainable revenue streams for the people.
The region is easily accessible via road from Bangalore and Mysore.