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Protected by
Ezhimala and Madaippara, the Village Vengara has witnessed
many historical events. Ezhimala was the Capital of ancient
Ezhimala Kindgom and now this place the Head Quarters of the
proposed Naval Academy (The biggest one in its kind in Asia).
The history reveals that Tipu Sultan, the Lion of Mysor has
passed through this place during his battle forward to Kerala.
He attacked ‘Madaikkavu’ and ‘Vadukunda Temples’ located on
nearby hill Madayippara, for the sole object of looting the
enormous wealth kept in those places. Still the remains of a
fort belongs to Tipu lying on Madayippara. He made a canal
between Payangadi River and Moolakkeel River, called ‘Sultan
Thodu’ (Sultan Canal) for the easy movement of cargo. Now,
this canal has an important role to do with the proposed
‘Malabar Tourism Promotion Program.’ Historians say that once
this place was a part of Arabian Sea hundreds of years ago.
When the sea withdrew at last, there remained sandy land which
people called ‘Ven Kara’ (White land in local tongue). Later
‘Ven Kara’ became Vengara by use. |
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Now this
beautiful village is embraced by environmental problem from Kerala Clays and
Ceramic Products Ltd. (KCCP), a partly undertaking of Govt. of
Kerala. Kerala Clays Ceramic Company was started
south-west-end of famous Madayippara by taking land on lease
from Chirakal Kovilakam Devasom and excavated almost all the
area within 20 to 30 years by destroying surrounding places
spreading poisonous water to nearby wells. Now this company
instead of closing still continuing mining using sophisticated
modern machines such as Crane, Bulldozer etc and with high
explosives for blasting top-level rocks. The emerging threat
from mining is that while continuing very high level blasting,
in near future the very famous lake of Sree Vadukunda Siva
Temple will vanish from Hill top of Madayippara which is very
useful to people of this area as well as birds and animals.
Now this excavation is carrying out just 80 to 100 meters away
from Vadukunda Lake and 100 to 150 meters away from Vadukunda
Siva Temple. Mining within limit is totally against the law.
The people this area are conducting agitation against the
illegal mining of Clay Company since last 7 years but lack
political support the every effort to stop this mining became
fruitless. As a part of agitation famous environmentalists
Meda Padkkar, Sugatha Kumari and Surendra Nath are visited
this place and given support to us. Seeing the latest status
of mining one can image the exact threat facing this tiny
village of North Kerala. It is time think over whether we want
to continue this mining for foodding around 160 families in
the village or stop this mining for allowing 1000 of families to
live peacefully? |
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Though there are
some small-scale industries, the main incomes of the people are
from agriculture. Coconut and paddy are the main crops. Cashew
nuts, Areca nuts and vegetables are also cultivated widely.
Large number of N.R.I’s especially in Gulf Countries has
changed the infrastructure of the village and helped people to
have a high living standard. But the concept of ‘Nuclear
Family’ has taken its tall in the society and made way for new
habitats and houses at the expense of agricultural lands now. |
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