Idukki is one of the 14 districts of Kerala state, India, created on 26January 1972. At that time, the district headquarters was at Kottayam. In June 1976 it was moved to Painavu. Idukki which lies in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Idukki is the second largest district in area but has the lowest population density. Idukki has a vast forest reserve area; more than a half of the district is covered by forests. The urban areas are densely populated whereas villages are sparsely populated.EtymologyThe name of the district is derived from the Malayalam word Idukku (ഇടുക്ക്), meaning narrow gorge.GeographyIdukki has an area of 4479km2 and is the second largest District of Kerala . Rugged mountains and forests cover about 97 percent of the total area of the District. The district borders the Kerala districts of Pathanamthitta to the south, Kottayam to the southwest, Ernakulam to the northwest and Thrissur to the north and Coimbatore, Dindigul and Theni Districts in Tamil Nadu to the east. The district is accessible only by road. Rail and airlink is not available. National Highway NH 49 and State highways 13 and 33 passes through the district.
