Ponnani
Block Panchayat

Ponnani Block Panchayat is located in Ponnani Taluk of Malappuram District, Kerala. The Block Panchayat comprises four Grama Panchayats: Vattamkulam, Edappal, Kalady, and Thavanur. It extends across the villages of Thavanur, Vattamkulam, Edappal, and Kalady, covering a total geographical area of 85.50 square kilometres with 14 divisions.

The Block Panchayat is bounded by the Bharathapuzha River to the north, Palakkad District to the east, Perumpadappu Block Panchayat to the south, and Ponnani Municipality to the west. The terrain ranges from 15 to 20 metres above mean sea level. The major soil types found in the region include sandy soil, acidic soil, and lateritic sandy soil.

Ponnani has a rich historical legacy dating back to ancient times, when it maintained extensive trade relations with Arab merchants. It is believed to be the first place in India where Arabian gold coins came into circulation. Owing to the widespread use of these gold coins ("Ponnanayam"), the region eventually came to be known as Ponnani.

Initially, Ponnani Block Panchayat consisted of the Panchayats of Ponnani, Ezhuvathiruthi, Edappal, Vattamkulam, and Thavanur, along with a few wards of Maranchery Panchayat. Following the formation of Ponnani Municipality, the wards of Maranchery were transferred to Perumpadappu Block Panchayat. Later, in 2000, Ezhuvathiruthi Panchayat was merged with Ponnani Municipality, resulting in a further reduction in the administrative area of the Block Panchayat. Ponnani Block Panchayat was originally established in 1967.

The western part of the Block is generally flat, while the eastern region gradually rises to elevations of 15–20 metres above sea level. Due to the presence of coastal plains in the west and moderately elevated hill regions in the east, the area exhibits a diverse range of soil types. Some western areas contain highly acidic soils. The paddy fields surrounding the hilly regions consist of a mixture of sand and clay. The elevated lands adjoining the backwaters are characterised by sandy red soil. Soil hardness gradually increases with distance from the Kole paddy fields, while laterite formations are commonly found on hilltops and elevated plateaus.

The Bharathapuzha River meets the Arabian Sea at Ponnani. The region is also endowed with several important water bodies, including the Ponnani Kole wetlands, Biyyam Kayal, Ayinichira Kayal, and Manoor Kayal, making it ecologically rich and environmentally significant.