Panchayats & Boundaries

Chathannur Assembly Constituency comprises a blend of rural and peri-urban panchayats, including:

Adichanalloor

Chathannur

Kottiyam

Meenad

Nedumpana

Poothakkulam

Paravur Municipality (parts)

Mayyanad (partially overlapping)

The constituency is nestled between Kollam city and Paravur, bordered by the Ashtamudi Lake to the north and Arabian Sea to the west, making it ecologically sensitive and economically diverse.

Geographic & Demographic Peculiarities

Chathannur is known for its laterite hillocks, clay-rich soil, and paddy fields, along with stretches of coastal belt and wetlands near Ashtamudi Lake. It is home to artisan communities known for clay pottery, coir works, and handlooms—sectors that are fading but remain culturally significant.

The constituency has a high literacy rate (above 95%), with a demographically mixed population.

Income & Livelihood Sources

NRI Remittances: One of the strongest contributors to household income. Thousands of youths from Chathannur and Kottiyam areas are employed in Gulf nations, especially in the construction and service sectors.

Agriculture: Coconut, banana, and vegetable farming are practiced, though land-use changes have reduced total cultivable area.

Clay & Coir-Based Cottage Industries: Traditional livelihoods like pot-making and mat weaving still persist in small pockets, especially in Adichanalloor and Nedumpana.

Small Businesses & Healthcare Sector: The Kottiyam-Paravur belt has seen a rise in hospitals, pharmacies, private labs, and educational institutions.

Fishing: Limited but locally important near coastal and estuarine areas.

Economic Strata

Chathannur features a strong middle-class base, largely supported by remittances, healthcare jobs, and small enterprises. A significant BPL segment exists in traditional artisanal and agricultural families. Urbanization and migration have reshaped the economic spectrum in the last two decades.

Recent Development Efforts

Expansion of NH-66 Bypass via Kottiyam to improve Kollam–Paravur traffic

Rejuvenation of Clay Craft Clusters in Adichanalloor under state handicraft promotion schemes

Naduthuruthu Drinking Water Project benefiting coastal areas of Poothakkulam

Digital Infrastructure Support for local self-government bodies via ‘weone’ and e-office initiatives

Chathannur is poised to transition further into a semi-urban economic node while retaining its cultural roots—especially with focused development in infrastructure, artisan revival, and digital governance.