Polling Stations
The constituency hosts around 50 polling stations—many divided into multiple wings—for accessible voting across remote terrains. Examples include:
Govt. Upper Primary School Periya (Upper Building North, South, East wings) in Thavinhal
Sankaran Nair Memorial LP School Varayal (Main and West buildings)
Nirmala LP School Alattil (East & West wings)
Govt. Tribal High School Edathana in Thavinhal
Govt. HSS Valad (East and West wings)
Servodaya UPS Poroor
Several schools in Thirunelly, Thalapuzha, Tholpetty, Thrissilery, Kartikulam, and Panavally wards.
These cover forest-fringe tribal hamlets, hilly valleys, and moderate urban-centre pockets.
Livelihood & Economy
Agriculture & Plantation Crops: Tribal and non-tribal households cultivate coffee, pepper, cardamom, ginger, vanilla, rubber, coconut, rice, areca nut in midland and foothill panchayats like Panamaram and Vellamunda.
Forest & NTFP-based Livelihoods: In Thirunelly and Thavinhal, inhabitants gather forest produce, honey, and tribal food crops.
Remittances (NRIs): Some households benefit from Gulf migration income, albeit less dominant compared to coastal regions.
Trade & Services: Mananthavady town serves as a trade hub—timber and spice markets, local retail, transport services, and public sector employment support local economy. Educational and health facilities in town add jobs.
Tourism & Eco-tourism: Attractions like Pakshipathalam, Banasura Sagar Dam, Sree Chempara waterfalls, and tribal cultural tourism in Thirunelly and surrounding hills bring seasonal employment and homestay income.
Socio-Economic Profile
The majority of residents fall into the middle-income bracket, supported by agricultural cash crops, modest remittances, and commerce. Tribal communities and small farmers often remain below the poverty line, while a small segment of landholders and traders represent the higher-income tier. Overall, literacy and upliftment programs have improved living standards across demographics.
Recent Development & Infrastructure
In the past few years, key developments include:
Upgrading of road networks connecting Mananthavady town to Thirunelly, Thavinhal, Panamaram and Banasura dam circuit, improving tourism and market access.
Expansion of healthcare and education facilities, including tribal hostels, ITI centres, and high schools in Vellamunda and Edavaka.
Promotion of eco-tourism initiatives, including ranger-led forest camps, day-trek trails (e.g. Pakshipathalam), and homestay accreditation.
Strengthened public services in tribal areas: mobile health clinics, digital Gram panchayat centers, water supply schemes, and electricity outreach to remote settlements.
Mananthavady Assembly Constituency is a lush tapestry of tribal highlands, spice-colonies, eco-tourism and small-town commerce. With livelihoods tied to plantations, commerce, tribal forest produce, and modest remittances, it sustains a primarily middle-class demographic with notable tribal poverty vulnerabilities. Recent infrastructure upgrades, tourism-led income generation, and expanded civic services are positioning Mananthavady toward more inclusive and sustainable development.
