User:Sugin Varghese/sandbox

Mattapalli
Mattapalli is a rural community in the State of Kerala in India. Geographically it is situated in the eastern ending of Alappuzha District and western part of Pathanamthitta District.The southern end of The southern end of Mattapalli is on the verge of Kollam Mattapalli is encompassed by hills and valleys, paddy fields, rivulets and streams, as well as country roads that pass through rubber plantations and dales.

Mattapalli also jealously guards the distinction of being the granary of Palamel Panchayat. Under the Kallada Irrigation Project (KIP), tributaries were constructed to release water to the Karingaly Paddy Fields spreading over 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) in the upper Kuttanad region in times of drought; but as in every case, this noble attempt is scuttled by the lethargic, negligent and arrogant bureaucracy. Thus costly lives saving crops are damaged every year resulting in avoidable hardships to the farmers. Even on occasion the water is released, the heavy silting of the KIP canals due to lack of maintenance and clogging at different points have been affecting the free flow of water along various stretches of the canal leading to the Karingaly paddy fields extending to the geographical jurisdiction of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta revenue divisions, comprising Mattapalli, Karimuckam Cherickal, Poozhickad, and Ulavuckad. It may be mentioned here that Basmati cultivation had successfully been initiated at the Karingaly paddy fields at the turn of the century.

In addition to rice, vegetables, tapioca, black pepper, cashew nuts, mangoes, ginger, pine apple, coconut trees, etc. are also cultivated. Milk collection and distribution centres are a great boon to the villagers. A few families practice ducks and poultry farming. Brick manufacture is done on a small scale. Rice and flourmills take care of the work formerly carried out by housewives. There is also a daily market; bars, toddy, teashops, bakeries, grocery shops, and the like help the village to be self-sufficient.

The mostly educated people, working abroad (Gulf Region, European Union, the U.S.A. and Canada) have brought fame and prosperity to the village, which has completely changed its facet, thus fondly earning the nickname "mini-Gulf".

Mattapalli has a fairly good system of commercial and cooperative banking network. One nationalized bank (State Bank of India) and some other private banks, including The Catholic Syrian Bank (CSB), Kosamattam Financiers etc. have branch offices in Mattapalli.