Polling Stations & Voter Engagement
In the 2021 election, Vallikkunnu had 198,814 registered electors and 139 polling stations, up from 124 in 2011 and 140 in 2016. The voter turnout stood at ~74.5%. Polling stations are located at schools, madrassas, and anganwadis across wards like Pallikkal, Peruvallur, Idimuzhikkal, and Kadalundi.
Demographics & Environmental Highlights
With a population density largely urban (~90%) and high literacy (~93.6%), Vallikkunnu hosts diverse communities. The area includes the coastal Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve, a mangrove-lined estuary and bird sanctuary home to over 110 bird species.
Economic Activities & Livelihoods
Remittances (NRIs): Gulf migration is a principal source of household income across Vallikkunnu’s wards, fueling consumption and urban development.
Trade & commerce: The vicinity of Calicut International Airport, Chelembra industrial growth and spice/nut retail hubs foster local entrepreneurship.
Agriculture: In Pallikkal, Moonniyur, and Peruvallur, smallholder cultivation of coconut, banana, paddy, and spices remains part of subsistence and local markets.
Blue economy & ecotourism: The protected mangroves, wetlands, and bird sanctuary attract ecotourists and support linked activities like guided nature walks.
Public & institutional employment: Tenhipalam hosts areas of Calicut University and an educational corridor that contributes to institutional employment.
Socio-Economic Strata
Most residents fall into the middle-income bracket, supported by remittance flows, small trade, and farming. A minority—successful traders, landowners, and professionals—represent the higher-income tier. Those still below the poverty line include marginal farm laborers or daily wage workers in coastal or rural hamlets, though literacy and welfare schemes mitigate deeper deprivation.
Recent Development Highlights
Polling accessibility: Upgraded to 139 booths—including new locations in remote wards—ensured smoother voting logistics in the 2021 election.
Ecotourism infrastructure: The Kadalundi–Vallikkunnu Community Reserve was declared a protected eco-tourism centre in 2018; walkways, watch-towers, and mangrove restoration work attract birdwatchers and nature visitors.
Connectivity upgrades: Improved roads and better linkage with the nearby Calicut International Airport and the university-education corridor in Tenhipalam bolster economic growth.
Civic services & sanitation: Enhanced waste management, street lighting, and water supply have supported panchayats like Peruvallur and Chelembra to improve their sanitation and urban amenities.
Vallikkunnu Assembly Constituency is a coastal gem blending strong remittance economy, agricultural roots, ecological significance, and urban growth. With a predominantly middle-class demographic, rising civic infrastructure, and ecotourism potential rooted in its wetlands and bird sanctuary, Vallikkunnu is poised for inclusive and sustainable development in northern Kerala.
