Mavoor

Mavoor, a beautiful township which mainly developed after 1960s bears with remnants of a once-thriving pulp factory (Gwalior Rayons later renamed as Grasim Industries) now standing as silent witnesses to byhone days. The streets of Mavoor might echo with the whispers of workers who once toilered here, and blowing sounds of fully bamboo loaded trucks when they accelerate.

Eventhough the closure of the pulp and fabric factory owned by Birla Group devastated local economy of Mavoor, the town stands as a symbol of both the community’s resilience and its stuggles.

Mavoor, a picturesque town surrounded by paddy fields, wetlands, and Chaliyar river, situated 20 kilometre east of Kozhikode city. Well known Mavoor Road which starts from Kozhikode town and run via Kozhikode Medical College. Mavoor junction has roads to Kozhikode city, Kattangal where prestigious National Institute of Technology and MVR Cancer Centre are located, Mukkam, and Edavannappara in Malappuram district. Chaliyar, the fourth longest river in Kerala, divide Mavoor and parts of Malappuram district. Elamaram Kadavu Bridge provide easy connectivity between two districts. New bridge offers a swift and modern passage to Edavannappara, contrasting with the long route through Oorkadavu Regulator Cum Bridge. One can reach from Mavoor to Edavannappara in less than 10 minutes.

Mavoor is a grama panchayath and a local transportation hub where many buses are running through different locations.

Mavoor Gasim Industry

Established in 1963 by Birla company, in an area of 316 acres of land on the bank of Chaliyar river to produce pulp and fibre, became a major industrial centre in Kerala. With the arrival of factory, Mavoor has been undergone through massive infrastructural development and witnessed booming business and trade. In the end of 1950s, Government of Kerala procured land and handed over to Gwalior Ryons with an aim of uplifting of economically backward Malabar region. In 1970s, Mavoor was one of the most prosperous panchayath in Kerala. Even before the beginning of gulf boom in Malabar, many locals were employed here with better salary and social conditions. A township with schools, a hospital and prayer centres were built. Birla group permanently closed the factory in 2001 and still holding the land.

Polluted water, tainted by years of waste and hazardous chemical discharge into Chaliyar caused many diseases in surrounding areas. Accoring to a report, 213 people died alone in Vazhakkad panchayath which is situated opposite of Mavoor panchayath. Mavoor witnessed one of the successfull environmental movement in the state of Kerala under K.A Rahman who died of cancer himself.

Despite the hardships, now there are a sense of hope to rebuild its glorious past by seting up new new eco-friendly industries. Government of Kerala is in discussion with Birla group to set up new projects in the deserted Mavoor. People see little hope about Birla to re-open any projects here despite countinuos survey they are conducting in the land.

Mavoor Wetlands

Mavoor is well known for its wetland which serve as vital habitats for diverse range of migratory birds, is a major tourist attraction espesially for bird watchers. A huge area (Approximately 500 acres) of Mavoor grama panchayath, dominated by wetlands create both challenges and opportunities for development. A huge part of Mavoor, taken by wetlands and Grasim Industries and rest is densely populated, it faces with a unique dilemma, simply no space for new construction and traditional development anymore. The only options are either filling wetlands or procuring lands from Grasim Industries, both of which are not easy due to environmental and legal issues. Every inch of dry lands is precious, coveted for its potential to sustain life and livelihood.

The Mavoor Wetlands, with their intricate network of ponds and open water, are haven for migratory birds on their awe-inspiring journeys across countires and continents.