Geography & Demographics

Located in Kerala’s Western Ghats, Peerumade covers hilly plateaus, sprawling tea estates, forest fringes, and small farming settlements. Elevations exceed 900 m in many wards, especially around Kumily and Vagamon. The constituency remains predominately rural, with tribal communities clustered near forest fringes. Statewide dynamics bring a mix of Malayalam- and Tamil-speaking populations, particularly in plantation areas. As of 2021, there were around 174,354 registered voters with literacy nearing 81% (slightly lower than Ernakulam, due to remoteness and tribal pockets) and a gender ratio around 1,010 females per 1,000 males.

Main Livelihoods & Economic Strata

Peerumade’s economic structure is built on:

Tea and spice plantations dominate livelihoods, employing large numbers of estate laborers along with local smallholders growing cardamom, pepper and vegetables.

Inland tourism around Vagamon, Kuttikkanam and forest trails draws visitors to homestays and estate resorts, generating seasonal income.

Remittances from NRIs, especially in Readymade apparel regions or diaspora-connected households, form a supplemental income stream.

Small trade and services—markets, vegetable vendors, small shops in Kumily and Peerumade town serve residents and tourists alike.

Livestock rearing and minor fisheries in highland streams contribute modestly in rural pockets.

Overall, the middle-income bracket dominates—small landowners, service employees, plantation workers aided by remittance support. There is a sizeable BPL segment among landless plantation labor families and forest-edge tribal populations. High-income households are fewer, often tied to large estate ownership or tourism entrepreneurship.

Recent Development Highlights

Recognizing its topographic vulnerability, the district administration launched landslip risk mapping and resettlement support in panchayats including Chakkupallam and Upputhara.

Under state-funded hill-region development schemes, road widening and bridge projects have improved connectivity from Kumily toward Periyar Tiger Reserve and Vagamon.

Tourism infrastructure upgrades are underway: viewing platforms, signage, and safety features around Vagamon plains and estate vistas.

The MLA, Vazhoor Soman (CPI), has prioritized health and education outreach, notably mobile clinics in remote wards and upgraded government school facilities in Ayyappancoil and Elappara.

Environmental investments include eco-corridor planting and soil conservation grants, launched in high-risk panchayats to preserve the delicate Western Ghats ecosystem.

Peerumade Assembly Constituency, spans Kerala’s highland identity—from tea estates to forest fringes. Hosting a largely middle-income electorate rooted in plantation and tourism economics, it also supports marginalized labour communities. Recent developments in connectivity, civic infrastructure, disaster resilience, education and sustainable tourism reflect deliberate steps toward inclusive high-range growth.