profile of the study area - shodhgangashodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/9541/13/13_chapter...

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Chapter III

PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

This chapter gives the profile of the study district and sample

locations. In the first part, profile of the Thanjavur district like location

of the district, historical profile, administrative units, demographic

details, water resources, agriculture, irrigation, climate and rainfall,

infrastructure, etc. are discussed in brief manner. In the second

section, description of sample areas viz. Thanjavur Municipality, Vallam

Town Panchyats and four sample villages are given.

THANJAVUR DISTIRCT

Thanjavur district is the rice bowl of Tamilnadu. The Big Temple

and other famous temples in the district are well known all over the

world. Thanjavur gained prominence during the period of Chola Kings,

who made it as Chola Kingdom. There after it was ruled by Nayakas

and Maratha Kings, who nurtured art and culture. Even today the

cultural, the architectural and the scholarly pursuits of these rulers are

reflected in the great monuments like Grand Anaicut (water

dams/diversion work), Big Temple and Sarawathy Mahal Library, etc.

in the district.

Thanjavur district stands unique from time immemorial for its

agricultural activities and is rightly acclaimed as the granary of the

South India lying amidst the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery

and lengthy network of irrigation canals. This coastal district abounds

in green paddy fields, tall coconut groves, vast gardens of mango and

plantain trees and other verdant vegetation.

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The district tops all the other districts of India in the production

of rice and is remarked as the rice bowl of India. The economy of the

district is, therefore, primarily agrarian in nature with very few

industrial units.

Thanjavur is one of the thirteen coastal districts of Tamilnadu in

the production of marine fish which accounts for about 5 percent of the

total marine fish catches of the state. The district is famous for its

exquisite ancient handicrafts making of bronze icon, Thanjavur art

plates, bell metal casting, bowls and powder boxes of metal with

beautiful and artistic inlaying and engraving work of motifs well known

as Thanjavur Swamy Work. It is equally well known for pith work,

ornamental fans, mats and making of musical instruments with wood.

It is also a flourishing centre of handloom silk and cotton sarees.

Location

Thanjavur district lies on the East Coast of Tamilnadu. It is

situated between 9.50’ and 11.25’ of the northern latitude and 78.45’

and 70.25’ of the eastern longitude. It extends to an area of 3396.57

sq.km. The district is bounded by the Coloroon river on the north,

which separates it from Perambalur and Tiruchirappalli distirct, and on

the east it is bounded by the Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts and

on the south by the Palk Strait and Pudukkottai district and on the west

by Pudukkottai and Tiruchirappalli districts (See Maps 1 and 2)

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Historical Profile

Thanjavur attained prominence under the Chola rules that were

paramount in South India during 9th to 12th centuries. They were not

only excellent rulers but also mighty builders who erected a large

number of exquisite temples in their empire, some of which constitute

the finest specimens of architecture. Hence the district stands

distinguished in the state even in its large number of temples, whose

legends extend deep in to early historic times. Many of these temples

reflect the power, genius and architectural grandeurs of their authors

displaying the unique and magnificent proficiency in sculpture,

painting and woodcarving.

The period of Chola Kings was not only considered as epoch-

making but also an era of the cultural renaissance. Thanjavur under

the Chola rule was the cradle of Tamil Culture. Literature and

civilization and the rare Tamil manuscripts in the Thanjavur library

corroborate this fact. Another notable feature is that in spite of several

alien invasions, onslaughts and internal conflicts, the ancient culture

and civilization not suffered much devastation. The inhabitants have

successfully concentrated their histrionic talents in the field of art,

literature, drama, music and dancing and are known for their rich

cultural and religious flavor. They live in close harmony as a well-knit

community and the three main religious groups viz., Hindus, Muslims,

and Christians, celebrate their fairs and festivals with a sense of

mutual respect.

According to the known history dating back to Sangam age, the

Cholas ruled over Thanjavur for about one thousand years. They also

cultivated fine arts under this patronage, erected temples, constructed

anaicuts, built ports and cities.

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Thanjavur district stands unique from time immemorial for its

agricultural activities and is rightly acclaimed as the Granary of the

South India lying in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery with

lengthy network of irrigation canals. The coastal district abounds in

green paddy fields, tall coconut groves, vast gardens of mango and

plantain trees and other verdant vegetation. The river has also been

named Ponni because it is yielding pon (it means gold) in the form of

paddy. That is why it is said with pride that every iota of the earth of

Thanjavur is equal to an iota of gold. The tillers in Tamil literature have

been rightly called as Kauviri pudhalvars – the sons of the Cauvery as

they alone are worthy of this title for the rich production of grains in

this fertile soil.

It is no wonder therefore that at the very threshold of the district

itself one can find green vegetation and call Thanjavur as the green

mansion of the South. With average annual rice production touching

4.27 lakh metric tonnes during 2009-10 (Government of Tamilnadu,

2011), the district tops all the other districts of India in the production

of rice and remarked as the rice bowl of India. The economy of the

district is, therefore, primarily agrarian with very few industrial units.

Agriculture

Thanjavur district is essentially a deltaic plain comprising of old

and new delta. The old delta has a network of canals and channels of

the river Cauvery and Vennar. Upper portion of this new delta area is

irrigated by Grant Anaicut canal. Tapping of ground water is done

considerably in this area to advance the first cropping season Kuruvai

to avoid damage due to the north-east monsoon and to accommodate

the two crops namely Kuruvai and Thaladi.

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The soils of new deltaic area are amenable to wide variety of

crops such as coconut, mango, guava, pulses, cotton, gingelly,

groundnut and banana. Cultivation of oil palm and soya bean is also

carried out in this district wherever assured water supply and drainage

facilities are available. The major crops cultivated in Thanjavur district

are paddy, pulses, gingelly, groundnut and sugarcane. The minor

crops like maize, soya beans and red gram are also grown.

Paddy is the principal crop grown in three seasons viz. Kuruvai ,

Thaladi and Samba. Farmers with assured ground water irrigation go

for two seasons ie. Kuruvai and Thaladi. The first paddy crop Kuruvai

is the short-term crop with duration of 100-115 days from May-June to

September-October. The paddy crop cultivated after harvesting the

Kuruvai crop is called Thaladi which has duration of 110-125 days from

October-November to January-February. Paddy is also cultivated in

very limited area during summer with the help of ground water.

Samba is single largest paddy crop cultivated in the district in

larger extent. Farmers wholly depend on canal irrigation and other

farmers who planned for one paddy crop (and other seasonal crop like

cotton) per year will go for samba season. Generally long duration high

valued varieties like ponni will be cultivated in this season. The

duration of the crop is 135 to 150 days planted from August to October

and harvested from January to March is being raised as a single crop

where the water is very less and not available for two crops. Finally

Summer Paddy is also raised in this district from December-January to

March-April.

Pulses like black gram, green gram and cash crops like cotton

and gingili are grown after rice. In new delta area, groundnut is the

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principal crop. Sugarcane is cultivated both in new delta and old delta.

Banana is primarily grown in padugai (upland in the agricultural fields

by silt formation through the river and canal system) lands.

It is also pointed out that due to Cauvery water dispute with

Karnataka State, the farmers of Thanjavur district could not get

adequate water for irrigation and consequently face loss of paddy

production to some extent. Further every year there may be a monsoon

cyclone flood and drought situation, which may also considerably affect

the paddy production in Thanjavur district.

Irrigation

The presence of the river Cauvery and numerous irrigation

projects that have been carried out even from days of Chola Kings can

be considered as the best irrigation system in Tamilnadu. The

necessity for irrigation was realized very early and irrigation systems of

the district date back to days of early Cholas. Over 70 per cent of the

gross cropped area is under irrigation systems through one source or

the other, and over 85 per cent of the net sown enjoys the benefit of

irrigation. The total area irrigated in Thanjavur district stood at

2,11,809 hectares during 2010-11 (District Statistical Hand Book,

2011).

The chief sources of irrigation in the district are rivers and tube

wells. A few rain-fed tanks and wells also cater to the irrigation needs

of the district. These tanks and wells are situated mostly in the upland

regions. Cauvery and Coleroon (a branch of Cauvery) are the most

important rivers in the district. River Cauvery originate in the Western

Ghats, and it is fed by the southwest monsoon and in later part by the

north east monsoon. Strictly speaking agriculture in the district is

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dependent on the Cauvery as most of the irrigated areas in the district

derive water from Cauvery and its numerous branch canals. Canals

serve about 80 per cent of the total net area irrigated and the river

Cauvery feeds these canals. Thus Cauvery is the primary source of

irrigation in the district. The Cauvery delta system in Thanjavur that

comprises mainly three important irrigation projects viz., the Grand

Anaicut; The Cauvery and Vennar regulation system; and Cauvery

Mettur project.

The oldest and the most significant among these three is Grand

Anaicut and is reported to have been constructed during the Sangam

Age of Chola period. This has been built at the junction of rivers

Cauvery and Coleroon about sixteen kilometers from Tiruchirappalli at

the lower end of Srirangam island and is designed to regulate the water

supply which comes down the Cauvery from the Upper Anaicut. When

the supply exceeds the requirements of the delta channels, the gates of

the Grand Anaicut are raised and the surplus water is passed down in

to the Coleroon where it proceeds down to the Lower Anaicut and it is

again regulated and utilized for irrigation by means of the canals. The

Grand Anaicut was first built with granite stones and mud with an out

layer of granite blocks with lime mortar. Its length is 1080’ and

breadth is 40’ to 60’ with a depth of 15’ to 18’. Later on, it has

undergone numerous improvements. In 1806, it was raised further

and in 1830 it is provided with sand scouring sluices. Some fifty years

later, the stones were removed and replaced by lifting shutters in 1899.

The main purpose of this Anaicut was to check and control the

waste water running in to Coleroon. Sir Arthur Cotton, an able

engineer, built a masonry wall at the head of the Coleroon in 1836, in

order to prevent silting up of Cauvery in the deltaic region. After the

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construction of the Upper Anaicut, floods often threatened the Anaicut

and then occurred serious erosions on the banks of the Cauvery. This

danger was however minimized in 1845 by the construction of Cauvery

Mettur dam. In order to avoid the danger completely, Upper Anaicut

was rebuilt in 1899 so as to provide passage floodwater down the

Coleroon in cases of emergency. Cauvery and Vennar regulations,

which are immediately below Grand Anaicut divide the stream between

rivers and control flow of water. Just below these, small regulators are

built in order to effect proper distribution of water among various

branches of the rivers and other numerous irrigation channels. The

Coleroon Anaicut was also the product of the mastermind of engineer

Sir Arthur Cotton and was built in order to irrigate the northeastern

parts of the composite Thanjavur district, especially the taluks of

Mayiladuthurai and Sirkazhi (now in Nagapattinam district) that were

not adequately covered by the Cauvery system. This dam was

extended, remodeled and rebuilt on the same lines as the Upper

Anaicut. A few major repair works for strengthening of the dam were

undertaken in early 20th century.

Climate and Rainfall

The climate of Thanjavur can be termed as a fairly healthy one

like the other coastal areas. November, December, January and

February are the pleasant months in a year with climate full of warm

days and cool nights. From March onwards, the climate rather

becomes sultry and the mercury reaches its peak by the end of May

and June depending upon the onset of summer rain. The northeast

monsoon in October brings complete relief. The southwest monsoon

sets in June and continues till September. The rainfall during this

period is much lower than the northeast monsoon which sets in

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October and continues more or less till January (up to winter).

However Thanjavur District is benefited more by northeast monsoon

because of its heavy rainfall and the Western Ghats invariably feeds the

Cauvery and helps greatly the vast cultivation of the deltaic area.

Normal annual rainfall of the district is 1070 mm. Fifty-two per cent

of rainfall concentrated in the northeast monsoon season, which falls

between October and December. Actual rainfall during the year 2009-

10 is 1217 mm.

Administration

Thanjavur district has three revenue divisions and eight taluks.

Number of revenue firkas is 50 and number of revenue villages is 906.

Regarding the local administration, it has 14 panchyat unions, three

municipalities viz. Thanajvur, Kumbakonam and Pattukkottai. Number

of town panchayats in the district is 22. The district has 569 village

panchayats. Table 3.1 provides the details of administrative units of

Thanjavur district.

3.1 Administrative Units of Thanjavur District

Sl.No. Administrative Units Numbers

1 Municipalities 3

2 Revenue Divisions 3

3 Taluks 8

4 Unions/Blocks 14

5 Revenue Firkas 50

6 Town Panchayaths 22

7 Village Panchayaths 569

8 Revenue Villages 906

Source: District Colletorate, Thanjavur.

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3.2 Demographic details of Thanjavur District: 2001 (in Nos.)

Particulars Thanjavur District

Total Number of Households 5,01,890 Total Population 22,16,138 Male Population 10,96,638 Female Population 11,19,500 Sex Ratio 1,021 Rural Population 14,67,577 Percentage to the total population 66.22 Urban Population 7,48,561 Percentage to the total population 33.78 Scheduled Castes Population 3,99,653 Scheduled Tribes Population 3,641 Percentage to the total population 18.20 Number of Literates 14,76,256 Percentage to the total population 66.61 Number of Illiterates 7,39,882 Percentage to the total population 33.39 Number of Workers 8,97,123 Main Workers 7,50,032 Main Cultivators 1,30,950 Main Agricultural Labourers 3,00,437 Main workers in Household Industries 33,425

Main Other Workers 2,85,220 Marginal Workers 1,47,091 Marginal Cultivators 13,992 Marginal Agricultural Labourers 1,10,281 Marginal Workers in Household Industries 4,561

Marginal Other Workers 18,257 Non-workers 13,19,015 Percentage to the total population 59.52

Source: Census Handbook, Thanjavur District, Government of India, 2001.

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Population

Table 3.2 provides demographic details of Thanjavur district

according to 2001 Census, which is available for the users. According

to the 2001 census (available latest information), the total population of

the district is 22.16 lakh persons consisting of 10.96 lakh males and

11.20 females. The sex ratio worked out is 1021, which is a favourable

one. Number of households in the district is 5.01 lakhs. Average size

of the household is 4.42 persons. In the total population, exactly two-

third is living in rural areas and remaining in urban areas. Among the

total population, nearly one-fifth belongs to schedule castes and tribes.

The number of scheduled tribes is minimum since, there is no hill tract

in the district.

Two-third of the total population is literates and a vast difference

appears between the literacy rates of male and female, and also

between urban and rural population.

Total number of workers is 8.97 lakhs, which accounts for 40 per

cent of the total population and the remaining are non-workers.

Among the total workers, 84 per cent is main workers and remaining is

marginal workers. In the main workers, 40 per cent is agricultural

labourers, 17 per cent is cultivators and thenremaining is household

workers. Among the marginal workers agricultural labourers alone

accounts for 75 per cent.

Land Area

Total geographical area of the district is 3.39 lakh hectares, in

which nearly four-fifth is net cultivable land and it indicates that there

is a higher allocation of land for agricultural purposes. Common land

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in the district accounts less than 3 per cent. However, more than 18

per cent of the land is allocated for housing.

Water Resources

In the previous section, we discussed about the irrigation

facilities available in the district. The two river systems through

numerous canals cater to the irrigation needs of agriculture. They also

support either directly or indirectly the water needs of domestic and

industrial sectors. Total length of the rivers is 118 kms. and number

of main canals is 10 in the district. Number of tanks in various sizes in

the district is 1178 and ponds are 2356. They also supplement the

water needs of the people. Number of wells in the district is 3178.

3.3 Water Resources of Thanjavur District (in Nos.)


Water Resources

River (in kms) 118

Canal 10

Tanks 1,178

Ponds 2,356

Wells 3,178

Water Supply Sources

Over Head Tanks 4,024

Small Motorized Pumps 1,271

Street stand-posts 51,110

House- service Connection 73,516

Source: Assistant Director of Statistics, Thanjavur, 2011.

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Organized water supplies arranged through 4024 over head

tanks constructed in different periods. They store and deliver the water

collected through bore wells installed in the river beds or main lands.

51.1 thousand street stand-posts and 73.5 thousands house service-

connections deliver the water for the people from the above said over-

head tanks. Another, 1271 small motorized pumps, with the help of

ground water, also supplies water for domestic needs. Available data

shows that one out of seven households has house service-connection.

On an average, one street stand-post serves the water needs of 10

households and it can be also stated alternatively as one street stand-

post serves the water needs of more than 43 persons of the above said

households. Table 3.3 summarizes the details on the water resources

available in the study district.

Basic Infrastructure

Total road length in the district is 537 kms., which connects all

parts of the district. Number of industrial units, mostly smaller in size,

is 121. Number of schools in the district is 953 and higher education

institutions like colleges and universities are 35. Seventy hospitals and

187 banking institutions are creating the needs of the people. There

are 13 markets mostly located in urban areas are functioning in the

district (refer Table 3.4).

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3.4 Basic Infrastructure of Thanjavur District

(in Nos.)


Roads (Kms) 537

Schools 953

Colleges 35

Industrial Units 121

Hospitals 70

Banks 187

Markets 13

Source: Assistant Director of Statistics, Thanjavur, 2011.

PROFILE OF THE SAMPLE LOCATIONS

Previous section provides the profile of the study district and

following section will describe the profile of the sample locations of both

rural and urban areas.

Profile of the Rural Study Locations

As reported in the introductory chapter, the study considers the

drinking water status of both rural and urban areas. For the case of

rural, the study has chosen four sample villages viz. Alakudi,

Pillayarpatti, Sennampatti and Thirukkanurpatti. Table 3.5. provides

demographic details of the villages. The size of the villages in terms of

number of households varies from 281 to 1333 and size of population

varies from 1319 persons for Sennampatti to 6309 for Pillyarpatti. Sex

ratio is more than 1000 for all four villages and it is very high for

Pillayarpatti. It is worked out as 1104 for all four villages taken

together. Percentage of literates in these rural villages is 64 and it

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varies from 45 for Sennampatti to 74 per cent for Pillayarpatti (see Maps

3 and 4).

3.5 Demographic details of the Study Villages

(in Nos.)

Particulars Alakudi Pillayar-

patti Sennam

patti Thirukka nurpatti

Rural Aggregate

Total Number of Households 1,156 1,333 281 853 3,623

Total Population 3,844 6,309 1,319 4,003 15,475

Male Population 1,905 2,822 630 1,999 7,356

Female Population 1,939 3,487 689 2,004 8,119

Sex Ratio 1,018 1,236 1,094 1,003 1,104

Scheduled Castes Population 1,154 1,178 405 592 3,329

Scheduled Tribes Population - - - - -

Percentage to the total population

30.02 18.67 30.71 14.79 21.51

Number of Literates 2,424 4,689 588 2,184 9,885


63.06 74.32 44.58 54.56 63.88

Number of Illiterates 1,420 1,620 731 1,819 5,590


36.94 25.68 55.42 45.44 36.12

Number of Workers 1,825 2,074 603 1,965 6,467

Main Workers 987 1,873 589 1,588 5,037

Main Cultivators 248 82 123 538 991

Main Agricultural Labourers

594 573 447 770 2,384

Main workers in Household Industries

- 27 - 22 49

Main Other Workers 145 1,191 19 258 1,613

Marginal Workers 838 201 14 377 1,430

Marginal Cultivators 6 3 0 20 29

Marginal Agricultural Labourers

815 2 5 342 1,164

Marginal Workers in Household Industries

- 6 - 1 7

Marginal Other Workers 17 190 9 14 230

Non-workers 2,019 4,235 716 2,038 8,292

Percentage 52.52 67.13 54.28 50.91 53.58


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3.6 Land Area of Study Villages

(Area in Ha.)

Particulars AlakudiPillayar-

patti Sennam


Rural Aggregate

Total Geographical Area 918 1,086 942 1,360 4,306

Net Cultivable Area 714 89 634 718 2,155

Common Land 104 105 166 487 862

Residential Area 100 892 142 150 1,284

Number of Hamlets

(In Nos.) 1 7 1 2 11

Source: Village Administrative Officer of respective study Villages, 2011.

In the total population, workers of various sectors accounts for

nearly 42 per cent and the remaining are non-workers. Among the

total workers 45 per cent is agricultural workers, 19 per cent is

cultivators, less than 1 per cent is in household industries and

remaining in other services. In the total workforce, 22 per cent is

marginal workers.

Total geographical area of the villages ranges from 942 ha. for

Sennampatti to 1360 ha. for Thirukkanurpatti and number of hamlets

of the villages ranges between 1 for Alakudi and 7 for Pillayarpatti. In

an average, the net cultivable area of these villages is 50 per cent in the

total geographical area, 20 per cent is common land and 30 per cent is

residential area. Residential area for Pillayarpatti village is high among

all the villages, since this village is located adjacent to urban area, i.e.

Thanjavur Municipality. Table 3.6 furnishes the details of the lands of

the sample villages.

Among the four sample villages, the river passes through Alakudi

village and other villages have no such resources. Sennampatti village

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has two rain-fed tanks. All the villages have two ponds each, but

Sennampatti has a maximum 5 ponds. Villages altogether have 56

numbers of wells and bore wells. These are the important water

sources of the study villages.

3.7. Water Resources and Sources in the Study Villages

(in Nos.)

Particulars Alakudi Pillayar

patti Sennam


Rural Aggregate

Water Resources

River (In kms) 1 - - - 1

Canal 3 - - - 3

Tanks - - 2 - 2

Ponds 2 2 5 2 11

Wells 13 16 7 20 56

Drinking Water Sources

Over Head Tanks 4 12 2 14 32

Small Motorized Pumps 5 1 5 3 14

Street Stand-Posts 83 196 36 180 495

House-Service Connection 440 618 42 552 1,652

Source: Village Administrative Officer of respective study villages, 2011.

Local bodies in these villages supply water for domestic purposes.

These four villages have a total of 32 over-head tanks, which are

relatively smaller in size when compared to such tanks in urban and

semi-urban areas. Number of tanks in these villages varies from 2 to

14. Water collected in these tanks is distributed through 495 street

stand-posts and 1652 house-service connections. Density of such

deliveries is not uniform for the villages. Regarding the street stand-

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posts, number of households covered per street-post varies mostly

between 7 and 8 for three villages, and is 14 for another village,

exceptionally. Similarly, the house-service connection is available at

every two households in three villages and one village has 6.7

household per connection.

Regarding the infrastructure, these four villages have a total of

82 kms. of roads of various types, 11 schools, 3 higher educational

institutions, 2 hospitals, 1 banking institution, and 5 industrial units.

Profile of the Urban Sample Area

This section provides the profile of the urban study areas –

Thanjavur Municipality and Vallam Town Panchayat.

Thanjavur Municipality

Total population of Thanjavur Municipality is 2,15,314 persons,

residing in 48,595 households. Density of the population worked out is

5927 persons per square kilometer.

The observed sex ratio is 1,019. In the total population, schedule

castes and tribes accounts for nearly 9 per cent. Literacy rate in this

area is relatively high and is nearly 80 per cent. Only 31 per cent of the

total population comes under workforce and remaining are non-

workers. Among the total workers 96 per cent is main workers and the

remaining are marginal workers. In the main workers, cultivators and

agricultural workers account for less than 5 per cent, household

workers accounts for 6 per cent and the remaining 89 per cent is

workers in other sectors. Marginal workers are also distributed more

or less in the above said manner.

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Total geographical area of the municipality is 36.33 square

kilometers and the number of wards is 51. In the total geographical

area, 56 per cent is occupied by residents, 27 per cent by farm lands,

and 17 per cent by common land.

Some of the basic infrastructure of the municipality is discussed

below. Total road length of the municipality is 268 kms. There are 50

educational institutions ranging from elementary schools to

universities. Thirty-seven hospitals of various types are serving for the

needs of not only peoples of this municipality but also rest of the

district and adjacent districts.

3.8. Demographic details of the Urban and Semi-Urban Areas

(in Nos.)

Particulars Thanjavur Municipality

Vallam Town

Panchayat

Urban Aggregate

Total Number of Households 48,595 3,102 51,697

Total Population 2,15,314 14,816 2,30,130

Male Population 1,06,625 7,199 1,13,824

Female Population 1,08,689 7,617 1,16,306

Sex Ratio 1,019 1,058 1,022

Scheduled Castes Population 18,541 1,401 19,942

Scheduled Tribes Population 695 17 712


8.93 9.57 8.97

Number of Literates 1,70,356 10,725 1,81,081


79.12 72.39 78.69

Number of Illiterates 44,958 4,091 49,049


20.88 27.61 21.31

Number of Workers 67,511 4,803 72,314

Main Workers 64,871 4,000 68,871

Main Cultivators 651 460 1,111

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3.9 Land Area of Urban Study Locations

(Area in Ha.)

Particulars Thanjavur

Municipality Vallam Town Panchayath

Urban Aggregate

Total Geographical Area 3,633 760 4,393

Net Cultivable Area 996 32 1,028

Common Land 624 213 837

Residential Area 2,013 515 2,528

Number of Wards (in Nos.) 51 15 66

Source: Commissioner of Thanjavur Municipality, Thanjavur; and Administrative Officer of Vallam Town Panchayat, Vallam.

Main Agricultural Labourers 2,259 798 3,057

Main workers in Household Industries

4,103 44 4,147

Main Other Workers 57,858 2,698 60,556

Marginal Workers 2,640 803 3,443

Marginal Cultivators 26 30 56

Marginal Agricultural Labourers 179 542 721

Marginal Workers in Household Industries

264 20 284

Marginal Other Workers 2,171 211 2,382

Non-workers 1,47,803 10,013 1,57,816


68.65 67.58 68.58

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Fifteen number of banks belong to government, private and

cooperative sectors are functioning in the municipal area limit.

Further, four markets are selling various agricultural and fisheries

products, and products of small manufacturers to some extent.

The Puduvaru, a branch of Cauvery flows across Thanjavur

municipality for a distance of 8 kms. One canal, Grand Anaicut canal

also flows within the limit of the municipality. There are 27 tanks, 32

ponds, and 115 wells coming under the municipality limit.

The municipality has 18 over-head tanks in 51 wards. The

capacity of each tank is 2 lakh liters, which is 5 to 7 times bigger than

such tanks in rural areas. Water stored in these tanks is supplied to

the households through street stand-posts and house-service

connections. Number of street stand-post in the municipality area is

1,100. It is understood that, the number households covered per street

stand-post is 44. Number of house-service connections in the

municipality limit worked out is 26,124. House-service connection is

provided to every 1.86 households. We can state it alternatively, 54 out

of every 100 household get the house-service connection. Apart from

the street stand-posts and house-service connections, water is also

supplied through the small motorized pumps. Number of such pumps

in operation is 72. These are the important water supply sources in the

municipality area.

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3.10 Water Resources and Sources in Urban Areas

(in Nos.)

Particulars Thanjavur

Municipality Vallam Town Panchayat

Rural Aggregate

Water Resources

River (in kms) 8 - 8

Canals 1 - 1

Tanks 27 2 29

Ponds 32 6 38

Wells 115 45 160

Drinking Water Sources

Over Head Tanks 18 3 21

Small Motorized Pumps

72 16 88

Street stand-Posts 1,110 130 1,240

House-Service Connection 26,124 2,187 28,311

Source: Commissioner of Thanjavur Municipality, Thanjavur; and Administrative Officer of Vallam Town Panchayat, Vallam.

Vallam Town Panchayat

Vallam Town Panchayat is a semi-urban area under the study.

Total population of the Town Panchyat is 14,816 persons, residing as

3,102 households. Density of the population is 1949 persons per

square kilometer, and the sex ratio worked out is 1058. In the total

population, percentage of schedule castes and tribes is nearly 10.

Nearly, three-fourth of the population is literate. One-third of the total

population comes under workforce and others are dependent. In the

total workforce 83 per cent is main workers and remaining are

marginal workers. Thirty-one per cent of the main workers are either

cultivators or agricultural workers. Only one per cent of the workers is

67

engaged in household industries. More than 67 per cent of the main

workers are engaged in other sectors. Marginal workers exhibit a

similar pattern of employment as in the case of main workers.

Total geographical area of the town panchayat is 7.6 square

kilometer, which is divided into 15 wards. Cultivable area of the town

panchyat accounts for 4 per cent and residential area occupies 68 per

cent of the total geographical area. Common lands of the town

panchayat is 28 per cent.

Total length of road of various types of roads of the town

panchayat is 36 kms. Number of educational institutions functioning

the area is 18. Only one hospital is available to take health care of the

people of the town panchyat. There are 4 banks functioning within the

town panchayat limit. There is one vegetable market available for the

people.

Regarding the water resources, there is no river or canal flowing

across the town panchayat area. Two tanks and six ponds support the

water needs of the people. Apart from this, there are 45 wells providing

water sources for the households of the Vallam Town Panchayat. There

are three over-head tanks constructed under organized water supply

scheme. As per the data furnished by the officials of the town

panchayats, water is supplied to the households through 130 street

stand-posts and 2,187 house-service connections. Number of

households covered per street stand-post worked out is 24. Seventy

out of 100 households get house-service connections in the town

panchayat. Above discussions are essential to understand water supply

status of both rural and urban areas of the study district.

profile of the study area - shodhgangashodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/9541/13/13_chapter...

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