Punalur is a municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India.[2] It is the headquarters of the Punalur Taluk and Punalur Revenue Division. It is situated in the eastern part of the Kollam district of Kerala, on the banks of the Kallada River and foothills of the Western Ghats. It is about 45 kilometres (28 mi) north-east of Kollam and 68 kilometres (42 mi) north of Thiruvananthapuram.
Punalur has an average elevation of 56 metres (184 ft).[3] Many tourists have visited scenic spots along the Kallada River.[4] The Palaruvi Falls is 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Punalur.[5] The first planned eco-tourism project in Kerala is only 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Punalur on NH 744 towards Sengottai.
As of 2011[update] India census,[11] Punalur had a population of 46,702. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Punalur has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 82%. In Punalur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Punalur paper mill
It is the first paper mill in the Kerala, and one of the oldest paper mill of the country, it was started at Punalur in 1886. The mill used reeds to make paper and was opened by T.J. Cameroon, an industrialist from Britain.[12] One of the mill's customers when they were open was the India Security Press. Up to 1931, Punalur was renamed multiple times.[13] In 1987, the mill which was managed by L.N. Dalmia and had around 1020 employees was shut down due to huge liabilities.[14]
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