CHAPTER-V

PROFILE Of THE STUDY AREA

PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

PART-A

PROFILE OF TAMIL NADU

5.1. Introduction

Tamil Nadu is situated on the south-eastern side of the Indian peninsula.

It lies between 8°5 and 13°35 of northern latitude and 76° 15 and 80°20 eastern

longitude, with an area of 1, 30, 058 sq.km. It is bounded on north by Andhra

Pradesh and Karnataka, on west by Kerala, on east by the Bay of Bengal and

on south by the Indian Ocean. It is the eleventh largest state in India and

occupies 4 per cent of the country's total area.

5.1.1 Population

The provisional population of India (2001 Census) is 1,028,610,328.

The population of Tamil Nadu stood at 62,405,679 comprising of 31,268,654

males and 30,842,185 females. The population of Tamil Nadu constitutes 6.05

per cent of the India’s population. Population density is 429 persons per sq.km. As

per 2001 census count, Scheduled Tribes have strength of 5.70 lakhs in Tamil

Nadu. ie. 651,321. They constitute 1.0 per cent of the general population in the

state.

5.1.2. Literacy Rate

Literacy standard in Tamilnadu state as per 2001 census is 73.47 per

cent as against 62.66 per cent in 1991 census. This shows the good growth rate

in literacy. This growth rate is in tune with all India growth rates and literacy

population is 65.38 per cent in 2001 census as against 52.21 per cent in 1991

census.

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5.1.3. Climate and Temperature

The Tamilnadu has an equatorial, tropical climate in the inland and an

equatorial, maritime climate in its coastal regions. By and large, the average

temperature for most parts of the state ranges between 28°C and 40°C in the

summer season and between 18°C and 26°C in the short-lived winter seasons.

In the more hilly terrain, the maximum temperature may be as low as 26°C and

the minimum temperature may go down to 3°C. The normal rainfall is 945.0

mm.

5.1.4. Administrative division

The state of Tamilnadu is divided into 29 administrative districts, which

in turn are further bifurcated into smaller divisions and sub-divisions, including

a total of 16,317 villages. The state capital, Madras now renamed, as Chennai

is the fourth largest city in the Indian Sub-continent and 30th largest city in the

world. It extends over an area of 174 sq. km.

5.1.5. Languages

This history of Tamilnadu dates back to Paleolithic age. The Official

languages spoken in the state is Tamil other languages such as Telugu,

Malayalam, Hindi and other Indian languages being spoken in the state. It is

due to steady stream of people migrating into the state from all parts of India,

particularly to the state’s urban centres, making Tamilnadu truly cosmopolitan

in its composition.

5.1.6. Lifestyles

The people of Tamilnadu lead, by and large, relaxed lifestyles. The

urban social recreations include clubs, golf, links, beach resorts, theme parks,

racecourses, art and theatre. Visits to game reserves holiday resorts, long sandy

beaches, zoological and entertainment parks are the other way of social

pastimes available. Tourists’ spots include hill stations like Ooty and

Kodaikanal, which are all time favourites.

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5.1.7. Industry and Minerals

A number of public sector undertakings are located in the State.

Important among them are Neyveli Lignite Complex, Integral Coach Factory,

High Pressure Boiler Plant, Hindustan Teleprinters, Hindustan Photo Films,

Madras Refineries, Madras Fertilisers, Heavy Vehicles Factory and Pugalur

Paper Factory.

Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly one-forth of the spinning capacity in

India, one-fifth of cement, caustic soda and nitrogenous fertilisers and one-

tenth of the nation’s production of sugar, bicycles and calcium carbide are

produced here. Tamil Nadu produces 60 per cent of safety matches and 77 per

cent furnished leather goods.

The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (T1DCO), State

Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) and TIIC are the

major Corporations set up to provide financial assistance and technical know­

how to large, medium and small scale industries. With the aid of these

Corporations, industrial complexes called growth centres and industrial estates

have been provided in different parts of Tamil Nadu; Hosur, Ranipet, Guindy,

Ambattur, Karaikudi, Sivagangai, Paramakudi and Tiruchirappalli.

Major industries are cotton textiles, chemical fertilisers, paper and its

products, printing and allied industries, diesel engines, automobiles and its

ancillaries, bicycle, cement, sugar, iron steel, railway wagons and coaches.

The State is an important exporter of tanned skin and hides and leather

goods, cotton piece goods and yam, tea, coffee, spices, engineering goods,

tobacco, handicrafts and black granites. Limestone, megnesite, mica, quartz,

felspar, salt, bauxite, lignite and gypsum are some of the minerals found in the

State.

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5.1.8. Irrigation and power

Important irrigation schemes implemented since independence are the

lower Bhavani, the Amravathi, the Vaigai, the Parambikulam-Aliyar, the

Krishnagiri, the Sattanur, the Pullambadi-Kattalai High Level Canal, the

Gormukhi Nadhi, Chittar Pattanamkal and the Pennaniar. Besides the State has

29 hydro stations, four thermal stations, four windmills and one gas turbine at

Narimanam. One hydro project, eight thermal power projects, three gas turbine

power plants, and three diesel engine power plants.

5.1.9.Transport

Roads'. The length of road network in Tamil Nadu is nearly 1.70 lakh km.

Railways'. Main Rail junctions in the state includes Chennai, Madurai,

Tiruchirapalli, Salem and Coimbatore, etc.

Aviation: Madras being the international airport in southern region, is the main

centre main airline routs. Besides, there are airports at Tiruchirapalli, Madurai

and Coimbatore, and Madras.

Ports: Major ports in the State are Madras and Tuticorin. Cuddalore and

Nagapattinam are lesser-known ports. There is an inland container depot to

cater to the export traffic at Coimbatore linked to Cochin port in Kerala.

5.2. ECOLOGICAL PROFILE OF TAMILNADU

The landmass of the state can be divided into two natural divisions, the

eastern coastal plain, and the hilly region along the north and the west. The

coastal plain is usually sub-divided into (a) the Coromandel plain comprising

the districts of Kanchipuram, Cuddalore and Vellore, (b) the alluvial plain of

the Kaveri delta extending over Thanjavur and part of Tiruchirapalli districts

and (c) the dry, southern plains in Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Virudunagar,

Dindigul, Kanyakumari, Sivaganga and Tirunelveli Districts.

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Along the whole length of the western part, at a distance from the sea

varying from 80 to 160 km runs the range of the Western Ghats, a steep and

ragged mass averaging 1,220 metres above the sea level and rising to 2,440

metres at the highest point. The Pal ghat Gap about 25 km in width is the only

marked break in the great mountain wall. To the south of this gap, the range is

known as Anamalai (Elephant Hills). On the east are the Pulney Hills on which

is situated the famous hill station Kodaikanal. The slopes of the Western Ghats

are covered with heavy evergreen forests. These slopes are the sources of the

rivers Kaveri, Vaigai and Tamaraparni. The Nilgiris and the Anamalai are the

hill groups with the maximum height.

In the famous Ootacamund area of the Nilgiris District, is the highest

peak Doddabetta, 2,640 metres above the sea level. The so-called Eastern

Ghats begin in Orissa and pass through Ganjam district of Orissa and run south

west through all the districts lying between Ganjam and Nilgiris plateau.

5.2.1. Land

The State can be divided broadly into two natural divisions (a) the

Coastal plains of South India and (b) the hilly western area. Parallel to the coast

and gradually rising from it is the broad strip of plain country. It can further be

subdivided into coromandal plains comprising the districts of Kancheepuram,

Thiruvallur,Cuddalore and Vellore. The alluvial plains of the Cauvery Delta

extending over Thanjavur and part of Tiruchirapally districts and dry southern

plains in Madurai, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Virudhnagar,

Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts. It extends a little beyond Western Ghats in

Kanyakumari District.

The Cauvery Delta presents some extremely distinctive physical and

human features, its power being a main factor in the remarkable growth, the

towns of Tamilnadu have witnessed. It is associated intimately with the life of

all its broader regions. In the east the low country 500 feet below, varies from

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50 to 80 miles in width. This plain extends almost up to the feet of the ghats

and only minor elevation can be found here and there. For instance the Valanad

hills. The Eastern Ghats enter the State from Andhra Pradesh in the north cut

across the State and merge with The Nilgiris Hills on the Western Ghats. The

region is bounded on South-West by the crest of the Cardamom hills and on the

North-West by the slopes of the plateau. The region is in the form of a

Rhombus and the longer diagonal of its stretches from the Pulicat lake in the

north to Cape Comorin in the South and the shorter diagonal from the Palghat

ghat in the west to point calimere in the east.

The State has an uninterrupted coastline of 922 Kms. It includes the

coastline of Pondicherry and Karaikkal. The coastline is a lengthy boundary on

the east. Not a single natural harbour capable of accommodating ocean - going

vessels can be found on the coast. Madras City has an artificial harbour. While

it is a major Port and Tuticorin a medium one, several smaller ports like

Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Colochel are found.

5.2.2. Hills

The Western Ghats averaging 3000 to 8000 feet height run along the

western part with the hill group of the Nilgiris and Anaimalai on either side of

it. Pulney Hills, Varushanad and Andipatti ranges are the major off-shoots of

the Ghat. The other prominent hill group comprises the Javadir, the Shevaroys,

the Kalrayan and the Pachaimalai. These ranges continue south of the river

Cauvery. A plateau is found between these hills and the Western Ghats with an

average elevation of 1000 feet rising westward. The highest peak of

Doddabetta in the Nilgiris is 8650 feet above sea level. The characteristic

feature of the hills of Tamilnadu is that they have flatfish surface at the height.

In general the summits are higher than those of Mysore Plateau area. A detailed

description of the hill ranges in the State is given below.

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5.2.3. Eastern Ghats

With an average elevation of 2000 feet, the Eastern ghats beginning in

Orissa State run through all the districts lying between Ganjam and The

Nilgiris plateau. No river of any great importance runs from these ranges.

5.2.4. Western Ghats

The Western Ghats are 1000 Miles in length and run southward and

terminate at Cape Comorin, the southern most extremity. They are joined by

the Eastern Ghat and at the point of junction, from the high plateau of The

Nilgiris. Near Coimbatore district the range is interrupted by the Palghat Gap.

The south of the gap is known as Anaimalais (Elephant Hill) and the east as

Pulney s. The river Cauvery, Vaigai and Tamiraparani originate from the

Anaimalai ranges.

5.2.5. Shervaroyan Hills

The range is in Salem District with an area of 150 Square miles. The

Vanniar Stream divided the range and the western portion consists of three

plateaus of which Pachaimalai (Green Hills) is the largest. Hardly any forest of

importance is found in the range.

5.2.6. Pulney Hills

Pulney Hills measuring 54 miles in length and the 15 miles in width and

occupying an area of 800 Square miles is found in Dindigsul District. The hills'

health resort Kodaikanal is 7200 feet above sea level. The ranges are steep in

the south and slope more gradually down the plains in the north. Teak and

blackwood are found in the higher level forests, while coffee is cultivated in the

lower Pulney.

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5.2.7. Anaimalai

The range covering 80 to 100 Square miles consists of a plateau 7000

feet above sea level, with peaks of over 8000 feet. The Anaimalai peak of 8837

feet height is the highest point in South India. Coffee is grown on a

considerable area on the lower ranges. The forest contains a teak belt and

elephants are found in abundance.

5.2.8. Rivers

The rivers of the state flow eastward from the Western Ghats and are

entirely rain-fed. The perennial rivers are; Palar, Chewar, Ponnaiyar, Kaverl,

Meyar, Bhavani, Amaravati, Vaigai, Chittar and Tamarapam. The non­

perennial rivers are the Vellar, Noyal, Suruli, Gundar, Vaipar, Valparai and

Varshali. The 760-km-long Kaveri is the great river of the state: Rising on

Brahmagiri, a hill in Coorg in the Western Ghats almost near the Arabian Sea,

it travels the entire breadth of the peninsula and forms a large delta at its mouth

in the Thanjavur District before flowing into the Bay of Bengal.

5.2.9. Forest Resources

The recorded forest area is 2.26 million ha which constitutes 17.40 per

cent of the land area of the state. Reserved Forest comprises 86.12 per cent,

Protected Forest 11.17 per cent and Unclassed Forest 2.71 per cent. The forest

types occurring in the state are Tropical Wet Evergreen, Tropical Semi-

Evergreen and Tropical Moist Deciduous, Littoral and Swamp, Tropical Dry

Deciduous, Tropical Thom, Sub-Tropical Broadleaved and Montane Wet

Temperate Forests.

5.2.10 Forests in village Economy

There are about 3,072 villages abutting the forests in Tamilnadu. The

villages are adjoining the forests to meet their green manure, small timber and

grazing needs. As per forest survey of India on Tamilnadu, the open forest with

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a crown density of 10 to 40 per cent is 8327 sq.kms. Annually, about 7,00,000

tonnes of firewood, 32,000 tonnes of small timber and 25,000 tonnes of fodder

and green manure are collected from forests every year. It results in another

25,000 ha. of forests getting further degraded.

There are nearly 300 variety of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)

are available in these forests. In Tamilnadu, the tribals fully depends forest

products for their livelihood. NTFPs are playing an important role to poverty

alleviation of tribals. Hence, these NTFPs are valuable to the tribal poor. These

products are marketed to national and international markets.

5.2.11. Economic Value of NTFP

The forests of Tamil Nadu yield a large number of products, which plays

an important role in the economy of the country. Based on usage forest

products can be classified broadly into two types, they are major and minor

forest produce. The timber and firewood are known as major forest products.

For a precise understanding of the term minor forest produce it is necessary to

define timber and fuel wood, the value of timber in general is mainly on the

account of its mechanical properties and fuel wood of its calorific contents.

Minor forest produce comprise all forest products other than timber and fuel

wood and includes, medicinal plants, spices, edible wild plants, tanning

materials, fodder and forage plants, saponins, essential oil-yielding plants.

These products seem to be minor in comparison with timber and fuel wood, but

important because of their utility value, money value and for the important role

it plays in the local economy.

Further, NTFP/ NWFP/MFP can be defined as all goods derived from

forest and their biomass for commercial and industrial use which can be

sustainably extracted from a forest ecosystem in quantities and in such ways,

that it does not downgrade the plant communities’ basic reproductive functions.

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Despite all their importance, the Non-timber forest produce derived

from forests are seldom handled within an organized, regulated sector and are

more often exploited. Escalating consumer demand is increasingly resulting in

the indiscriminate collection of wild plants, thus causing irreparable damage to

the ecosystems and their Biodiversity.

5.2.12. Trade Scenario of NTFPs

Tamil Nadu with nearly 18 per cent of its geographical area occupied by

forest provide hundreds of medicinal plants, some of which are medicinally

important and many of them are pharmacologically important and many of

them are used in folklore and other systems of medicine. Large quantities of

medicinal plants are exported to Europe and North American countries.

Of all non-timber forest produce the medicinal plants stand out as a

single most important produce in terms of revenue it is generating. Medicinal

plants are very important to the Tamil Nadu economy because of their

bourgeoning export potential. As many as 80 plants of medicinal and

economic importance are exported in large quantities through Tuticorin and

Chennai ports. Recent estimates put the economic value of medicinal plant

export from three states viz., Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in the region

of Rs. 2000 crores per annum.

In recent years, the growing demand for herbal products has taken a

quantum jump in volumes of plant materials traded within and outside the

country. Studies conducted by EXIM bank of India shows the economic value

of medicinal plant related products to be of the order of Rs 5.5 billion per year,

and at a predicted growth rate of 7 per cent annually.

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PART-B

PROFILE OF DINDIGUL DISTRICT

5.3. Physiographical Particulars

5.5.1. Location'. Dindigul District was bifurcated in late 1980s and it was

constituted with 14 developmental blocks, with effect from, 15 September

1985, bounded by Erode, Coimbatore, Karur and Trichy districts in north,

Sivagangai, Trichy Districts on the east, Madurai district and Theni district in

south, and Coimbatore and the Kerala state in the west. The district lies

between 10°.05 and 10°.09 North latitude and 77°.30 and 78°.20 East longitude,

and its Mean Sea Level is (+) 280.11M.

5.3.2 Administrative Division: The district has been divided into 7 taluks and

14 community development blocks. There are 306 panchayats with 359

Revenue villages consisting of 370 Census villages, 2 Census towns. There are

24 town panchayats and three municipalities. The collectorate is located as its

headquarters at Dindigul.

5.3.3. Geographical Area', the total geographical area of the Dindigul District

is 16,266.84 Sq.km., with a normal net sown area of 255945 hectares. This

district is the most backward district, in this most of the soils is found

throughout the district. A small portion of laterite soils is found in

Oddanchatram and Natham taluks. It is try cropped area with 70 percentage of

irrigation through taluks wholly depending upon monsoon rains for cultivation.

There are no perennial rivers. Paddy (8.21 per cent) and groundnut (67.31 per

cent) are main crops grown in this district black gram (2.05 per cent) and

sugarcane (1.63 per cent) is also grown to some extent.

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5.4 Demographic Profilei) Density: Density of population for Dindigul district is 306 per sq. km. as

against to the state density is 480 per sq.km. according to 2001 census. The

Dindigul Block registered the high density of population ie 970 and the

Kodaikkanal block registered very low level Density i.e. 95 per sq.km.

remaining all other blocks more or less equal, its ranges between 234 and 548

per sq.km.

ii) Sex ratio: Sex ratio usually expressed as the number of females to 1000

males is very important criterion affecting all the major elements of the

economy and combined with age distribution, and marital status, it gives

valuable clues for evolving sound population programmes. It is registered that

the male-female ratio is 986. The blocks oddanchattram and Vedasandur

blocks are registered highest ie 1002 and 1001 respectively in this district.

Hi) Rural and Urban Population: In Dindigul District the total population of

all the revenue villages is 1,923,014 of which the male population is 968,137

(50.34 per cent) and female population is 954,877 (49.65 per cent). In several

respects, India is unique country. It is an agricultural country with a population

of 1,249,762 (64 per cent) in rural and 673,252 (36 per cent) in urban.

According to the 2001 census, 376,170 are SCs and 6,484 are STs. They

are 19.56 per cent and 0.34 per cent to the total population of this District. In

Dindigul District the schedule Caste population is 376,170 (male: female 990)

scheduled tribe population is 3,164 (male: female =0.34).

iv) Literacy: the literate population of this District is 1,181,746. The literacy

level in this district registered 69.35 per cent according to the 2001 census.

There is clear difference between the rates among the males and females. The

district’s literacy level besides being higher than the states’ average i.e 65 per

cent in 2001. In Dindigul, the percentage of literacy among the males and

females registered 70.41 per cent and 52.37 per cent respectively.

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v) Religion : Hindus constituted 87 per cent of the population in Dindigul

district. Christians, Muslims and follower of other religion formed 7.55 per

cent proportion in the century as a whole (2.34 per cent), where as Muslims

were less than half (all India: 12.12 per cent).

5.5 Economic Profile

i) Occupation

Like other parts of Tamil Nadu state, Agriculture is the major activity in

this district. Dairy development is an important subsidiary activity. Out of the

Total population (1,923,014) about 43 per cent (i.e 841,893) are main workers,

rest of them 57 per cent are marginal workers. Most of the people (32.18 per

cent) of this district are depending on agriculture, rest of them (i.e 67 per cent)

depending on some industries, like manufacturing units, mills providing job

opportunities to the public. In this district about 0.2 per cent of the total

population are engaged with fishing activity for their livelihood security.

5.6 Agriculture

i) Operational Land Holdings: The land holdings pattern is classified into 10

class in intervals according to size of land owned by the farmers. Generally the

farmers are classified into 4 categories namely small farmers, marginal farmers,

medium farmers and Big farmers. In this District 302711 farmers holding the

total area of 334834 hectares.

ii) Irrigation: Well irrigation is the main source of irrigation to the farmers of

the Dindigul district about 86925 wells used for irrigation purpose only. In

addition to this, 2972 Tub Wells, 2230 tank/ponds (except Kodaikkanal block),

41 canals ( i.e covers length of 115 kms fallin the block of Pulney (36 km,)

Athoor (32Km), Natham (12.5 Km), Nilakkottai, (12.5 km) Batlagundu (6

km), and Oddanchattram (6 km)) and 8 reservoirs which provide water for

irrigation to several villages mostly for one season.

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Hi) Cropping pattern: The Cholam is cultivated in 20.7 per cent to the total

area sown. Area of paddy cultivation is 8.21 per cent to the total area sown.

Ground nut cultivated is an area 7.3 per cent (8720) to the total area sown.

Others crops and the cultivated area are as: Blockgram (2 per cent) sugarcane,

Cumbu, cotton, green grass is area of each 1 per cent and Ragi, Red gram,

Gingelly are an area of each leys them 1 per cent to the total geographical area.

iv) Fishing: Fishing is a traditional activity. About 2556 families were actively

involved in this activity. Particularly in Palani Block, most of the families are

engaged in this activity.

v) Livestock Particulars: In order to provide opportunities to rural women to

improve their economic condition by taking up economic activities, it is

necessary to organize them by identifying various sectors where their

involvement is more. Out of a number of employment systems, women’s

involvement has been bound to be intensive in dairying and animal husbandry

activities. Hence, Government, taken effort to increase the number of animal

resources by providing more loan through self help groups. Dindigul district

has the rich source of livestock population. Total cows 2,28,694, Buffaloes

82,145; Sheeps 2,63,368; Goats 2,94,168, poultry 1,40,1777 and others 11,250

(Horses and ponies, pigs, Donkeys and dog). The detail of the number of

livestock available in this District is given below:

5.7 Industries

In Dindigul district, a number of spinning, ginning mills and leather

processing units provide plenty of employment opportunities to the people as

well as helping the Government by way of fetching foreign exchange. Another

important industry in district is steel fabricating industry and also a number of

chamber brick industries in the Dindigul district provide employment

opportunity to the people. There are 513 registered working factories, large

scale industry and 542 cottage industries.

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There are 47 mining industries (in 6 bloc viz., Dindigul (1),

Reddiarchattram (3), Natham (16), Oddanchattram (3), Vadamadurai (18),

Kuziliamparai (6)), and 144 quarrying (except Athoor and Kodaikkanal block)

industries which provides the employment opportunity to the people in this

district.

i) Industry: In this district, there are 542 Small-Scale industries (SSIs), 1 large

scale industries and 513 working registered factories in this district. The

working factory provides the employment to 29246 persons (Male, 16804 and

Female, 12,442) in this district.

ii) Enterprises: Regarding to the Enterprises 34,307, Agricultural enterprises

(Rural: 32,834 and Urban 1,473), 1,04,387 Non-agricultural Enterprises

(Rural: 66024 and Urban 38363) are there.

Hi) Handloom industry: Textiles and leather are the important industry in

Dindigul District. Handloom is the major occupation in this district. There are

40 power looms provided the employment to 16 families in Oddanchtarram

block and about 5,770 families (Athoor, 1200; Pulney 550; Nilakkottai, 20;

Dindigul, 3,700 and Gujiliamparai 300) are actively engaged with the

Handloom sector in this sector.

5.8. Natural Resource Profile

5.8.1. Topography and Climate: Dindigul District is surrounded by Sirumalai

hill in the Eastern side and the Kodaikkanal hill in the Western side. This is one

of Quite interesting Districts in Tamilnadu. The maximum Temperature is

45.0°C and minimum is 11.8°C. It has 399.2mm and 251.4mm Normal rainfall

in North East Monsoon and South West Monsoon season respectively.

5.8.2. Soil type: The total geographical area of the Dindigul District is

16,266.84 Sq.km. There are different types of soil in the part of Dindigul,

Nilakkottai, Oddanchatram and Pulney taluks. Red soil in Dindigul,

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Nilakkottai, Oddanchatram taluk. The baterite soil is available in part of

Oddanchatram Taluk and Red loam available in all over the district except

Kodaikanal taluk.

5.8.3 Land Use Particulars: The total geographical area of Dindigul district is

6266.64 Sq.km, of which 2,42,272 hectares are the total cropped area. The net

area shown is 2,37,770 hectares. About 22 per cent (1,23,367.29 hect) of the

total geographical area covers as reserved forest and 21,667.97 as reserve

lands.

5.8.4 Forests: Out of the total area of the district (1,04,295.27 Ha. Which

includes reserved forests and reserved lands as: Reserve Forest area 84564.87

ha., Reserve land 19,730.40 hec. and Hill preservation areas. 44,000 Ha.

Apart from reserved forest lands, an approximate area of 44000 ha. of patta

lands. Which were notified under Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of

Trees) act, 1995. About 143.36 M.T fuelwood and 574.65 MT Sandal wood

are available in this district per year.

5.8.5 Rivers/laks: In this district, endowed with the three major rivers namely

Vaigai, Manijalaru and Kudaganaru. There are major Two lakes (Kodaikanal

and Berijam lake) in this distrct.

5.8.6 Reserviors and Dams: There are 8 dams are located in the foothills of

the forest of this district namely Palar-Porundalar Dam, Varathamanathi Dam

and Kudhiraiyar Dam are located in Palani block, Parappalar Dam located in

Oddanchatrtram block, Kamaraja Sahar Dam in Athoor block, Kodaganar Dam

in Vedasandur block, Mavur Dam in Nilakkottai block and Maruda Nathi Dam

Nanganchiyar Dam are catering the agricultural and drinking water needs of

the people of the district.

5.8.7 Minerals and ores : Limstone, Quartz, Felspar , Stone, Brick Earth,

Granite and Kanker are available in this block. It provides the employment and

raw materials to the Cement factory and also the raw materials for construction

work.

5.9. Infrastructural Profile

5.9.1. Transport and Communication: Transport and communication is the

backbone of economy in developing country. The district has national

highways (148.75 kms) and state high was (2265.43 km), Corporation and

municipality roads (237.84kms), special Panchayat (597.22kms) panchayat

union roads (3222 kms) and other i.e., forest roads (416.34kms). About (65.98

km) and meter gauge (116.08km) of railways. There are 445 and 18 post

offices are doing postal business alone and doing post and telegraph business.

About 76466 Telephones are in use, 4514 telephones are as public call offices

and 71 telephone Exchanges are there in this District.

5.9.2 Energy: Like other districts in Tamil Nadu, Dindigul district also

installed smokeless chulah and provided LPG with loan facility both from

commercial bank/primary agricultural co-operative bank and other co-operative

banking institutions. Out of the Total power consumption 45 per cent (674.37

MU) consumed by the Industrial sector. At the next level, about 26 per cent

(398.62 M.U), 22.75 per cent (340.33 M.U), and 4.27 per cent (63.86 M.U.)

power consumed by the Domestic, Agriculture & Huts and Commercial

purpose respectively. Very least proportion i.e., 0.74 and 0.53 per cent of the

power consumed by the Miscellaneous and public lighting and public works

respectively.

5.9.3 Drinking Water Facilities: Water is the basic need of rural areas. In

Dindigul district nearly one third of the villages have Over Head Tanks (OHTs)

to provide the drinking water and 16591 wells used for domestic purpose only.

In addition to this, there are hand pumps to supply the water through out the

year. In this district 100 per cent of villages covered by protected water supply.

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5.9.4 Market: In this district at two places namely Thadicombu and Sirumalai,

weekly market is functioning for buying and selling of agricultural

commodities, goats, sheeps, hens and cocks. Oddanchattram is one of the major

vegetable markets in Tamil Nadu which is export the vegetables to Kerala and

Karnataka.

5.9.5. Financial Institutions: Even after 50 years of independence there is no

proper banking system to meet the credit needs of the poor. In Dindigul district

a number of primary agricultural co-operative credit societies functioning by

providing financial help to meet the expenses of small, medium and marginal

farmers and also other sectors of the society. In this district there are 173

commercial banks are primary agri-coop there of which that 106 are

Government Banks, 36 are coop Banks and remaining 31 re private banks.

5.10. Social Sector Profile

5.10.1 Public Health Care: Health for all in 2000 A.D. is reached the villages

also. In this district there are three primary health centers, 19 health sub-centres

with bed facilities. These health sub-centres fulfilled the health needs of the

post and anti natal care of mother and children, and health care of the peoples.

5.10.2 Education: Education is nothing but the act or process of imparting or

acquiring general knowledge and of developing the power of resorting and

judgment. The level of culture in a country depends upon the education of its

people. In Dindigul district there are 1267 Primary Schools, 459 Middle

Schools, 96 High Schools, 82 Higher Secondary Schools, 78 Matric Schools,

33 Matric Higher Secondary Schools, 8 Arts and Science Colleges, 5

Engineering Colleges, 1 College for special Education and 2 Universities

namely Gandhigram Rural University at Gandhigram, and Mother Theresa

University at Kodaikkanal.

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5.10.3 Electricity: All the 359 villages (100 per cent) of the villages in this

district are electrified by providing street lights (Tube and Sodium Vapour),

electrification to houses, (26563 huts are electrified), industries and agricultural

(82,080 Agricultural pumpsets) use. Tamil Nadu Government is providing

electric power to farmers at free of cost for their cultivation.

5.10.4 Welfare Programmes: Several development programmes are

implemented for the benefit of the villagers. Both individual and community

development programmes have been implemented under self-sufficiency

scheme. Training and loans are also provided to Artisans to increase their

economic status. Houses have been constructed and handed over them to the

village poor under the group housing scheme. The Gandhigram Rural Institute

has also undertaken several development programmes in its service villages of

Dindigul district.

5.10.5 Livestock Welfare: For the welfare of livestock there is one veterinary

clinic, one veterinary hospital, one Veterinary dispensary with a mobile

veterinary unit and five government veterinary sub-centres for artificial

insemination centers. For the treatment of livestock there are three doctors and

16 inspectors are engaged.

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PART-C

PROFILE OF THE PULNEY HILL

Pulney Hills measuring 54 miles in length and the 15 miles in width and

occupying an area of 800 square miles is found in Dindigul District. It has been

sub-divided into the upper and the lower Pulney hills, two distinct geographical

and even more importantly, vegetational regions, by the neutral saddle, a ravine

running between the towns of Periyakulam in south and Pulney in the north

along the Parappar-Tevendarai valley. The western block (upper Pulneys) is the

plateau (385 Sq.Km and average attitudes of 2220m) consisting of undulating

slopes of grasslands interspersed with forests, locally called ‘Sholas’ with

subtropical or temperate vegetation. This is interspersed with occasional peaks

rising to a maximum of 2506m at Vembadi with a few ravines and valleys

(Development Alternatives, 1990).

The total geographical area of the block is 59,156 Hectares (469.16

Sq.Km). There are two types of soil namely black and red. Most of the land

surface is rain fed. Tanks, Canals and wells are the other sources of irrigation.

The topography of Pulney block consists of hills (Western Gate) and plains.

The forest area of Pulney hills (Kodaikanal hills) is 58919 hectares. Land put to

agricultural uses is 10714 hectares. Total cropped area is 17084 hectares. Near

Pulney, there are two dams viz., Paleru Porandalaru and Vadathamanthi dam

are the main source of irrigation as well as drinking water to the people of

Pulney block. In addition to that, at a distance of 20 kms a newly built dam

named ‘Kuthiraiyaru’ purely for irrigational purpose.

Kodaikanal block comprises 16 Jlvenue villages besides Kodaikanal

Township and 15 village Panchayats. The upper Pulney encompass Kodaikanal

Township and six revenue villages while the remaining 10 villages fall under

the power hills region. Tribals inhabit four out of Six revenue villages in the

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upper region (ranging from 2 to 675 persons) whereas in the lower hills the

tribals (ranging from 25 to 347) lived in eight out of the total of 2989 tribal in

the Pulney hills region. The present study was therefore undertaken the selected

Tribal settlements in the upper Pulney hills.

There are 25498 households are lived in Pulney hills. 66 primary

schools, 9 Middle schools, 7 High schools, 5 Higher secondary schools and 3

libraries in Pulney hills especially in Kodaikanal.

Kodaikanal Forest Division forms part of Dindigul District. It forms a

continuous and compact forest block, part of it lying in upper Pulney Hills and

part of it lying in lower Pulney Hills. The total area of this division is 40,740.48

ha. Out of 40,740.48 of forest area, 11,612.34 ha come under Periyakulam

range. (Conservator of Forest, Dindigul). The Pulney hills cover the whole of

Kodaikanal block including the Kodaikanal Township and parts of Athoor,

Kodaikanal, Oddanchatram, and Reddiarchatram blocks. Whereas the upper

Pulney hills cover parts of Kodaikanal block exclusively, the lower Pulney hills

encompass parts of the other four blocks tentatively. Because, there is no clear

line of demarcation between the lower and upper Pulney hills either in the

survey of India’s District map, or the Block profiles, which are the authentic

Government documents. Therefore, although there are other blocks such as

Kodaikanal and Pulney bordering the upper Pulney hills, the tribal familiar

large in number, scattered in its spread and an admixture in tribal composition,

are proximate to the plains, particularly developed areas like Vadakounji,

Adukkam, Kilakkuchettipatti (KC Patty), Pachalur, Vilpatti, Andipatty. From

these six panchayats villages, there are 10 tribal settlements are situated.

Kutiraiyaru Anai, Kadachikadu. Boothamalai, Thamaraikulam Colony,

palamalai, Gandhipuram, Venkatachalaparai, Vadakounji, Savarikadu, and

Bhrathi Anna Nagar.

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Table 5.1Availability of NTFPs in the Pulney Hills

S. No Name of the NTFPs Morphology of Useful PartsI Food Items1 Tamarind Fruit2 Mango Fruit3 Monkai Fruit4 Sundaikkai Fruit5 Nellikai Fruit6 Kalakkai Fruit7 Mullikkai Fruit8 Palakkai Fruit9 Vilampalam Fruit10 Echampalam Fruit11 Elandaipalam Fruit12 Novel Palam FruitII Non-Food Items1 Phoenix Leaves Leaves2 Velalai Leaves3 Sayasedi Leaves4 Sivanas Vembu Leaves5 Magali Roots6 Nannariver Roots7 Pulankilangu Roots8 Inji Roots9 Kodiveli Roots10 Malai thangi Roots11 Manjal Roots12 SinthilKodi Creepers13 Kattu Vethalai Kodi Creepers14 Pepudal Kodi Creepers15 Karunkodai Creepers16 Kattamanukku Seeds17 Thethankottai Seeds18 Porasankottai Seeds19 Pungamkottai Seeds20 Machakkai Seeds21 Thannikai Seeds22 Siyakai Seeds23 Velvelankai Seeds24 Karavankai Seeds25 Marul Seeds26 Naikottain Seeds27 Korai Seeds28 Kattusirakam Seeds29 Karuvelan Gum30 Kalpasam Stonemass

Source: Working Plan for the Kodaikkanal Forest Division, Part - I P . 3 6 - 4 0

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In Tamil Nadu, There are numbers of varieties of NTFPs are available in

the hill regions. At present over 270 species of NTFPs are found in trade

throughout various market places in Tamil Nadu. There nearly 30 varieties of

NTFPs available in Dindigul district, especially in Pulney hills. The major

NTFPs are listed in the table 5.1.

The above table represents that the available of NTFPs and their

morphology of useful parts in Kodaikannal hills. The above said NTFPs are

approved by the forest department and also them fixing the price of the

products. The tribal are also permitted to collect NTFPs by the forest

department (FD). These products are classified into food items and non - food

items.

India possesses a rich boundary of NTFPs in its 64 Mha of state

managed forest. Over 507 of forest revenues and 707 of forest export come

from NTFPs (Shiva 1994). In India, The major source of both self employment

and indirect employment in forestry is the collection processing and sale of a

wide range of NTFPs. About 70 per cent of NTFPs collection in India takes

place in the southern tribal belt to the country in Tamilnadu and other states.

Women are the mainstay of most small scale forest based enterprises.

Reference

1. Statistical Hand Book of Dindigul District, 2004, Department of Statistics, Dindigul.

2. Statistical Hand Book of Dindigul District, 2005, Department of Statistics, Dindigul.

3. Statistical Hand Book of Dindigul District, 2006, Department of Statistics, Dindigul.

4. Block Profile of Dindigul District 2001, Gandhigram Rural University, Gandhigram.

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5. Block Profile of Dindigul District, 2005-2006.

6. www.tn.gov.in7. www.dindigul.tn.nic.in/profile.htm downloaded on 5/4/2007.

8. Working Plan (2003) Working Plan for the Kodaikkanal Forest Division, Part -1 P. 36 - 40.

9. Development Alternatives (1990) Sustainable Development Programme; Pulney Hills, TN, India. A proposal for Environment System, Kodaikanal: Devlopment Alternatives.

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