Idukki district was formed as per Government notification on 26th January 1972. The district consists of Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermedu taluks of the former Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk excluding two villages Manjallore and Kalloorkadu of the former Ernakulam district. At the time of formation the district headquarters started functioning at Kottayam. It was later shifted to Painavu in Thodupuzha taluk in June 1976, where it is proposed to build a new planned forest township.