1. << CHAPTER 11 < CONTENTS >
District Spatial Plan - Thrissur FINDINGS 151
Chapter – 12
FINDINGS
Findings emerged out of spatial and sectoral 4. Physiographic profile of the district shows 5 well
analyses are summarised to enable the envisioning pro- defined physiographic regions namely (i) Low
cess. Major findings of analyses of general planning lands (ii) Mid Lands (iii) Mid up Lands (iv) Up Lands
parameters, various sectoral studies as well as the re- and (v) High Lands. The district has about 33.34%
source base of the district are listed below. of its geographical area as forest, mainly seen in
the eastern part of the district. The district is
blessed with resourceful hill areas in the Eastern
12.1. GENERAL
part of the district which separate the district from
1. Thrissur District with its rich history, heritage and Tamil Nadu State. These hills are part of highly
cultural, religious and archaeological wealth, acts resourceful Western Ghats.
as the cultural capital of the state. The district is
5. The district is blessed with 4 major rivers
also well known for festivals (Thrissur Pooram),
(Bharatha puzha, Kechery puzha Karuvannur
many cultural and art institutions (like Kerala
puzha and Chalakudy puzha) with a number of
Kalamandalam, Kerala Sahithya Academy etc.)
tributaries and drainage channels. Vazhani Dam
and historic temples, churches & mosques.
across Kechery river, Peechi Dam across Manali
2. Thrissur District is connected to other parts of the river and Chimminy Dam across Karumali river
state and the country through two modes of are the reservoirs of the district.
transport, rail and roads. The waterway, which
was once was a major mode of transport of the
district, is in an abandoned state now. The near- 12.2. POPULATION:
est airport “Nedumbassery” (Kochi International 1. Thrissur district is comparatively denser than the
Airport) is situated at a distance of 55 kms and state with 9.34 % of the total population of the
the nearest sea port of Kochi is situated at a dis- state. The district have only 7.8% of the geo-
tance of 80 kms from Thrissur City. graphical area of the state. In other words the
population density of Thrissur District (981 per-
3. Thrissur district has about 15 higher level educa-
sons/sq km) is higher than that of the state (819
tional institutions and 8 multi speciality hospi-
persons /sq km) indicating pressure on land.
tals as on date and acts as an educational and
health hub which caters not only the District but 2. Even though the district shows a population
also a wider influence region. growth rate less than that of state, the rate of the
decrease in growth rate of the district (-0.41 dur-
Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

2. 152 FINDINGS District Spatial Plan - Thrissur
ing the period 1981-01) is less than that of the
This indicates idling of certain portion of poten-
state (-0.51 during the period 1981-01) showing
tial work force of the district.
that the district is blessed with fabric that can
sustainably attract the population. An increase 2. The analysis of the occupational structure of the
of only 1.79 lakhs and 1.33 lakhs respectively are district points to a disturbing situation about the
expected in the succeeding decades of 2001-‘11 economic base of the district. The number of
and 2011 –‘21. workers in primary sector of production namely
cultivators and agricultural labourers show de-
3 The population concentration pattern of Thrissur
clining trend. The occupational structure of the
district shows a definite spatial pattern in which
district shows that (Refer Chapter 4) more than
highest concentration is seen in LSGs situated in
75% of the total workers engage in non agricul-
the periphery of existing urban areas, coastal ar-
tural pursuits. Even in rural areas of the district,
eas and LSGs situated near to coastal areas. East-
more than 50% of workers belong to non primary
ern high land region of the district shows least
sectors, mainly service or tertiary sector. Num-
concentration of population.
ber of workers in service sectors is on the in-
4. LSG wise gross population density of the district crease. Number of industrial workers shows a
shows a spatial pattern in which the urban LSGs slight increase. It is observed that rural areas of
and LSGs surroundings them as well as LSGs in the district are slowly withdrawing from the pri-
the coastal region, shows highest gross popula- mary sector and depends more on service sector
tion density ranging from 1500 persons per/sq.km and on industrial sector to a certain extent.
to 3200 persons/sq.km. The LSGs located in the
3. A shift (mainly towards service sector and sec-
mid land region shows a gross population den-
ondary sector) in the occupational structure of
sity variation of 750-1500 persons per/sq km and
the district (even in rural areas) resulting in the
LSGs in high land regions shows least gross popu-
possible destruction of the rural character of ru-
lation density.
ral areas is taking place. There is dilution in the
5. Among the LSGs of the District, population growth rural nature of the rural areas of the district as far
rate is the highest in those LSGs situated in the as the occupational structure is considered. At
periphery of existing urban areas. It can be pre- the same time industrial activity in the urban ar-
sumed that immigrants to the urban centre of eas is also on the decrease and the share of other
the district prefer to settle in the periphery of workers category in the work force is increasing.
urban areas rather than within. This may lead to This has resulted in narrowing down of the bound-
undesirable spread of urban area and conversion ary distinguishing the character of rural and ur-
of agricultural land in rural areas for residential ban areas in terms occupational structure.
and other non agricultural purposes, thus affect-
4. The growth rate of total workers during the last
ing the economic base of rural areas.
decade 1991-2001(9. 20 %) is slightly greater than
12.3. WORK PARTICIPATION RATE AND OCCUPA- the growth rate of total population indicating that
TIONAL PATTERN work opportunities are increasing in proportion
1. Work participation rate of the district (32%) equals to the increase in population. However, the rate
that of the state. At the same time it is well be- of increase in number of main workers shows a
low the desirable WPR of a developed economy. decreasing trend, indicating disturbing picture
about employment generation which has reflec-
Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

3. District Spatial Plan - Thrissur FINDINGS 153
tion in resource utilization and in turn in the eco- 3. “Kole lands” in the district demand special at-
nomic base and may lead to reduced local eco- tention due to rich potential for paddy produc-
nomic growth. tivity as well as ecological and environmental
sensitivity.
5. Among the total workers only 17% of workers
constitute agriculture labourers and cultivators 4. Nearly 25% of the total area of the district is un-
which indicate less intensive agriculture activity der agricultural land use. Most of the agricultural
in the District. areas are concentrated in the mid land and high
land regions of the district. Also the general char-
6. Among the total workers, 5% are house hold in-
acter of settlements shows that most of them
dustrial workers. This is the highest among the
are rural in nature, indicating that there is scope
neighbouring districts. This indicates the strength
for developing the agriculture sector as one of
of the district in house hold industrial sector. The
the economic base of the District.
spatial pattern of concentration of house hold
industrial workers shows a clear concentration 5. Coconut cultivation contributes 42% of the agri-
in coastal LSGs and in Thiruvillwamala Grama culture land use followed by mixed crop
Panchayat as well. (17.11%), paddy (17.11%) and rubber (10.7%).
7. Nearly 25% of land use is agricultural. From the
point of view of economic as well as environ- 12.5. ECONOMIC BASE OF THE DISTRICT:
mental stability of the District, the agricultural
1. Thrissur district, contributing 9.87 % of the GDP
land should be put to optimal use.
of the state, is ranked third in the state. As per
8. Based on concentration pattern of workers, LSGs Economic Review-2009, during the period 2008-
of the district exhibit one of the following six 09 (at constant price of 1999-2000), 62.58 % of the
activity patterns i.e. primary, secondary, tertiary, GDP of the district is contributed by tertiary sec-
combination of primary and secondary, combi- tor and is ranked third in the state. Whereas the
nation of secondary and tertiary and combina- contributions of secondary and primary sectors
tion of primary and tertiary (Refer Chapter 4, Fig are 25.02% and 12.42% respectively and is ranked
4.17) . third and eight respectively in the state.
12.4. LAND USE: 2. The sector wise contribution of district GDP over
a period shows a diminishing trend in primary
1. When compared to near by districts Thrissur
sector, stagnant trend in secondary sector and in-
shows no major prominence with respect to ru-
creasing trend in tertiary sector.
ral land uses or urban land uses. In other words,
the district still has potential for rural activities 3. Thrissur district, with per capita income of Rs
where as it ranks 6th with respect to urban con- 42316/- ranks fourth among districts of the state
tent among the districts in the state. and shows second highest growth rate in this re-
gard.
2. The land use analysis shows concentration of for-
est land use in LSGs located in eastern highland 4. The spatial distribution of settlements based on
region of the district indicating rich natural re- functional character shows a clear demarcation
sources and environmental sensitiveness of the character of settlements in four categories.
area. Thrissur Municipal Corporation and Municipal
Councils except Chalakkudy and some of the LSGs
Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

4. 154 FINDINGS District Spatial Plan - Thrissur
located in the low land region of the district coastal stretch with potential for fishing, num-
characterised by high population concentration ber of religious centres with archaeological & his-
exhibits urban character. Semi urban character is toric importance, presence of world famous pil-
exhibited by LSGs that have urban influence like grim centre ‘Guruvayoor’, four major river basins
Grama Panchayats of Vallathole Nagar (situated and connected drainage network covering entire
near to Shornur Municipality in Palakkad District), district.
Elavally and Vallachira. Most of the LSGs in the
9. Activity pattern of the district evolved shows ex-
midland and high land region of the District ex-
istence of following zones: Urban activity, Agri-
hibit rural character. Semi rural character is seen
cultural activity non detrimental to forests, In-
in a few LSGs placed as a transition zone between
tense agricultural activity, Secondary activity and
the LSGs with urban and rural character. The func-
Agricultural allied activity.
tional character of settlements gives an idea
about the likely economic base of each LSGs. 10.Sectoral analysis of sectors related to major re-
sources such as Agriculture, Industries, Forest,
5. Existing hierarchy of settlements based on facili-
Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Mining, Tourism
ties and the proposed hierarchy of settlements
etc. shows that the district is having areas of con-
evolved from the analysis show that Thrissur
centration of the above activities.
Municipal Corporation is the single first order
settlement. Besides, there are 5 second order 11.The analysis of environmental sector shows that
settlements and 7 third order settlements in the major ecological and environmental sensitive
District to have equitable distribution of facili- areas of the district are the reserve forest areas
ties that each settlement in a specific hierarchy in the eastern high land region and the ‘kole lands’
should cater. in between low land and mid land regions of the
district.
6. High population density of the district in general
and in the coastal areas in particular combined 12.Four distinctive agriculture development pat-
with the presence of fragile ecosystems compris- terns viz. the coastal and low land regions where
ing ‘kole’ lands, water bodies, forest and paddy homestead cultivation predominantly of coco-
lands impose limitation on high level of industri- nut, arecanut, nutmug, jackfruit etc can be pro-
alization of such areas of the district. moted, mixed cultivation area in the low –mid
land area where paddy cultivation (kole land &
7. Even though there exists Urban-Rural continuum,
pokkali area) has to be sustained and nut mug,
the activity pattern evolved based on the land
plantain, vegetable and fodder cultivation etc can
use concentration pattern, future urban profile
be promoted, intense crop cultivation area in the
and functional classification shows that there is
mid land where rubber to be sustained and pine-
a clear demarcation of areas of concentration of
apple, pepper, plantain, vegetable and paddy cul-
urban activity, agricultural activity, agriculture and
tivation to a certain extent etc. can be promoted
allied activity and agriculture activity non detri-
and finally resource base area where forest re-
mental to forests in the district, making it pos-
sources are to be conserved. Here, intense affor-
sible to assign definite development character
estation has to be promoted while existing plan-
to each region.
tations, rubber and pepper cultivation are to be
8. The district is blessed with potential resources sustained.
such as tourism potential spots, minerals, lengthy
Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

5. District Spatial Plan - Thrissur FINDINGS 155
13.The analysis of industrial sector shows the con- eas in the southern part of the district
centration of industrial activity (large, medium,
15.Coastal belt is suitable for marine fishing. Areas
small scale) in the south-west, south-east and
surrounding the inland water bodies in north-
north-west regions of the district spatially located
west and south-west regions of the district are
along the major transportation corridors such as
found suitable for developing inland fishing on a
NH-47, NH-17, SH connecting Thrissur Municipal
commercial basis.
Corporation with urban activity areas of the dis-
trict such as Kunnamkulam- Chavakadu- 16.Thrissur district has got potential to develop the
Guruvayur and Irinjalakuda-Kodungallur- tourism spots in connection with eco tourism,
Methala. The concentration of house hold indus- adventure tourism, religious tourism and heri-
tries and hand loom industries are found along tage tourism.
the coastal areas and in Thiruvillwamala Grama The tourism potential areas include Thrissur Mu-
Panchayat as well. The district also has potential nicipal Corporation, Guruvayoor Municipal Coun-
for clay based industries, diamond & gold based cil, Kodungalloor Municipal Council, Irinjalakuda
industries, agro based industries, handloom in- Municipal Council, Athirappaly Grama Panchayat,
dustries, wood industries and book making in- Mattathoor Grama Panchayat, Puthur Grama
dustries etc. Panchayat, Vallathol Nagar Grama Panchayat,
14.Mining activities especially of clay, granite and Varandarappilly Grama Panchayat etc.
black sand has got immense potential within the 17.Forest area within the district has got economic
district; the potential areas are lower part of the potential. Also it is one of the main environmen-
mid land areas and lower part of the up land ar- tally sensitive areas of the district.
Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala
< CONTENTS > CHAPTER 13 >>