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This beautiful high range district of Kerala is geographically known for its mountainous hills and dense forests. For the people of Kerala, Idukki is always associated with power generation. About 66% of the States power needs come from the hydroelectric power projects in Idukki. Idukki accounts for 12.9 percent of the area of Kerala whereas it accounts for only 3.7 percent of the population of the state. About 50% of its area is reserved forests.
Idukki can also claim its place in the sun in the world of spices. It was the pepper and cardamom harvested from these regions which put India on the map of the ancient world. The tradition endures to this day. Idukki is today the source of most of the worlds spices. The turn of the century also saw huge tea estates coming up in Munnar, a hill station about 5000-6000 feet above sea level. The intrepid British planters wisely used the local expertise and the tribal knowledge to make this area a major source of tea in the world. Tata Tea (makers of Kannan Devan Tea) carries on the tradition after the departure of the British. Their contribution to conservation of the fragile Eco-system of this region has in no small measure helped conservation efforts by the State Forest Department.
Keralas history is closely linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. Kerala was known for its spices and travellers around the world journeyed here to trade and to gain control over this rich land. It is believed that the spice trade dates back to three thousand years. Pepper still remains the king of Keralas spices, but the state also has a very rich produce in cardamom, cinnamon , nutmeg, mace, ginger and turmeric. As in the past , the state continues to be the spice capital of the world.Over twelve varieties of spices, including ginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, clove and nutmeg are cultivated in Idukki and the surrounding areas.
