Occupational Structure of Devikulam Taluk, Idukki District, Kerala

Occupation implies profession or trade. The study of occupational structure occupies an important position in the field of demography. The economic and social development of a region depends on the number of persons who are engaged in economic activity. The economic activity which decides the demographical structure and characteristics of the population especially family size, structure, density, literacy, growth rate and the integration of all these. Since it decides the economic strength of a population, such studies are very much important for policymakers and planners to formulate policies and plans for the socio-economic development of a region or country. The present study conducted in Devikulam taluk is situated on the western slope of the Western Ghats in Idukki district, Kerala. Since the entire population of the taluk is living in rural areas, it can be termed as a rural taluk. The main source of livelihood is plantation agriculture and allied activities. In spite of that, plantation (mainly tea), tea processing, jiggery processing, lemongrass oil extraction and tourism are the dominant economical activity in this study area. Occupational characteristics were mainly collected from Idukki district census handbook for the years 1971 to 2011. The occupational types are broadly classified into four categories. According to 2011 census, the study area having about 16% (177621) of the total population of Idukki District and is distributed in 12 villages. The share of the total population of Devikulam to the district has been remarkably decreased since 1981 and the growth rate in 2011 was -4.04. After 2001, most of the plantation workers in KDH village voluntarily retired and migrated to adjacent villages and Tamil Nadu. Due to that in 2011, five villages showing negative growth. Therefore, the study of occupational structure in Devikulam taluk is very much important to understand the population dynamics from 1971 to 2011.