37

CHAPTER - 2

PROFILE OF KANYAKUMARI

DISTRICT

38

AREA PROFILE

2. 1 PROFILE OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

Kanyakumari is the southern – most district of the peninsular

India,the seventh largest country in the world. In Kanyakumari, the Indian

ocean, the Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal embrace one another.

Kanyakumari district comprises of four taluks of the erstwhile

Travancore – Cochin state. The present Kanyakumari district was formed

on the first of November 1956, as a result of the reorganization of states

on linguistic basis.

This district is the smallest in the state of Tamil Nadu (with the

exception of the district of Madras) lying at the southern most tip of the

country. As in the case of the rest of the districts in the state of Tamil

Nadu, the economy of this district is also agriculture - based. However, it

is endowed with a lovely coastline and rich mineral resources like ilmenite

and retile.

Kanyaumri district is named after the goddess, “Kanyakumari”.

The district headquarters is at Nagercoil, endowed with all kinds of natural

resources from land, sea, forest, and mountains. This district is by nature

and heritage, predominantly agrarian with 68 percent of the land utilized

for agricultural purposes. This district is blessed with its vast stretches of

green paddy fields, rich forests, coconut groves and coast line. This

district has a coastline of about 68 km.

39

2.2 HISTORY

Kanyakumari has a hoary past in ancient history dating back to

the Sangam age and was a cradle of civilization. The Tamil culture which

had its origin in the Zumaurian continent, of which Kanyakumari was a

part. The district has a large number of historic monuments and temples.

A series of kingdoms under famous kings are known to have existed in

Kanyakumari, the most important being the Chera, Chola and Pandia upto

the early fifties of this century. This region was part of Travancore

samasthanam, the present day Kerala, where the Tamil speaking

population treated as second class citizens struggled to merge with Tamil

Nadu. As per the recommendations of the state re – organizing

commission, the regions of Agasteeswaram, Thovalai, Kalkulam and

Vilavancode were grouped to form the “Kanyakumari district”. On

November 1, 1956, Kanyakumari district of TamilNadu state came into

existence with Nagercoil as its Head quarters, which crowned the struggle

for separation from Kerala and merger with Tamilnadu

2.3 LOCATION AND ORIGIN

Kanyakumari is situated between 770 - 05` and 77

0 – 36` of

eastern longitude and 80- 03 and 8

0-36 of the northern latitude, occupying

a total area of 1672 sq. km. It is bordered with Tirunelveli district in the

north and north east, Kerala in the northwest and by the Indian Ocean and

the Bay of Bengal in the south and western sides respectively1.

1 District statistics Hand Book of Kanyakumari District 1991-92.P.1

40

2.4 POPULATION

According to 2001 census, the district had a total population of

16, 69, 763 which comprised of 8, 56, 542 males and 8,40,221 females.

The density of population was 999 per sq. km. The details of population,

literates and sex are given in Table No. 2.1

TABLE NO : 2.1

AREA – WISE AND SEX WISE POPULATION IN

KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT IN 2001

Population Literates

Persons Male Female Persons Male Female

Rural 582761 2901772 290172 452832 231718 22114

Urban 1087002 539370 547632 867732 443221 424511

Total 1669763 829542 840221 1320564 674949 645625

Source : District statistical Handbook – 2005, Kanyakumari District.

2.5 POPULATION OF SC AND ST

Of the total population of Kanyakumari district, 4.60 percent

belong to the scheduled caste and 0.31 percent to scheduled tribes. Table

No. 2.2 gives a detailed account of the population of scheduled caste and

scheduled tribes in various blocks and municipalities of Kanyakumary

district in 2001

41

TABLE NO. 2. 2

SCHEDULED CASTE AND SCHEDULED TRIBES IN

KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT IN 2001

Sl..

No.

Block/ Scheduled caste Scheduled tribe

Municipalities Person Male Female Person Male Female

1. Agesteeswaram 13397 6577 6820 513 251 262

2. Rajakamangalam 7348 3677 3671 55 29 26

3. Thovalai 11344 5657 5687 487 271 216

4. Kurentencode 7866 4029 3837 35 18 17

5. Thuckalay 5386 2722 2664 19 5 14

6. Thiruvattar 4510 2247 2263 2237 1121 1116

7. Killiyoor 2777 1383 1384 61 32 29

8. Munchirial 6257 3080 3177 143 65 78

9. Melpuram 7310 3624 3686 1275 630 645

10. Nagercoil 7483 3719 3764 342 170 172

11. Padmanabapuram 2225 1152 1073 10 5 5

12. Colechel 580 272 308 4 2 2

13. Kuzhithurai 379 190 189 42 23 19

76862 5223

Source : Census of India, 2001.

42

Kanyakumary has people belonging to different castes, such as,

Brahmins, Vellalas, Nadars and a sizeable number of SC/ST people. From

the table it is clear that Agstheeswaram block has the maximum number of

SC people the total number being 13397. It is followed by Thovalai block

with 11344. As far as ST people are concerned Thriruvattar block has the

maximum of 2, 237 persons. In total there were 76,862 SC persons and

5,223 ST persons as per the 2001 census.

2.6 RELIGION

Tamil Nadu has people belonging to Hinduism, Islam and

Christian religion with a sprinkling of saints. As elsewhere in the state,

the district consists of Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others. However,

Christain population is the largest in number in the district. Among

Hindus, there is a separate religious sect known as “Ayya vazhi” based on

the precepts propounded by “Ayya vaikundar”3.

2.7 LANGUAGE

Kanyakumari is a bilingual state. Tamil and Malayalam are the

two languages spoken in this district, though Tamil is the official

language.4

2.8 ADMINISTRATION SET UP

This district has been divided into two revenue divisions

consisting of two taluks each, ie, Padmanabhapuram revenue division

consisting of Vilavancode and Kalkulam taluks and Nagercoil revenue

division consisting of Agasteeswaram and Thovalai taluks. There are four

3 District statistical Hard Book in Kanyakumari - 2002

4 Districl Staistics Hand Book, Kanyakumari. 2003

43

municipalities Nagercoil, Padmanaphapuram, Colachel and Kuzhithurai.

For the purpose of better administration the district has been divided into 9

community development blocks, 155 panchayats (56 town panchayats

and 99 village panchayats ) and1207 hamlets in 2001.5

2.9 EDUCATION

Kanyakumari district ranks first in literacy level in Tamil Nadu

and boasts of 100 percent literacy. The total number of educational

institutions was 933 in 2005. The various statistics regarding educational

institutions in Kanyakumary district are listed in Table No: 2.3.

TABLE NO: 2.3

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF KANYAKUMARY

DISTRICT IN 2005

Sl. No. Institutions Number of

Institution

1. Arts and Science Colleges 16

2. B.Ed colleges 7

3. Medicine – Allopathy 1

Indian Medicine 1

Homeopathy 2

4. Engineering 7

5. College for special education 8

6. Pre – primary school 83

7. Primary schools 413

8. Middle schools 147

9. High schools 120

10. Higher secondary school 122

11. Teacher Training Institute 6

Total 933

Source : District Statistical Handbook, Nagercoil.

5 District Statistical Handbook of Kanyakumari P.O

44

Recently there has been a mushrooming of many engineering

colleges and colleges of education. From table 4.4 it can be easily inferred

that women are almost at par with men as regards the number of persons

who had registered. The total number of unemployed male persons was

121616 while the number of women who had registered was 117419. The

largest number of them were those who had completed matriculation level

of education and the number was 174733. Once again, it is evident from

the table that the number of men and women belonging to this category

were almost equal. The total number of youth who had registered with

Higher Secondary education was 31883. Here women exceeded men. I.T.I

holders came last with just 462 registered candidates. It has the largest

number of professional and educational institutions

2.10 LITERACY

Next to Ernakulam in Kerala , Kanyakumari achieved the

enviable status of 100 percent literacy. In Kanyakumari district the

literacy rate is very high. In this district the total number of literate

persons is 13, 20, 564 out of which 6, 74, 939 are males and 6, 45,625 are

females in the year 2001. Similarly the literacy rate has gone up from

82. 06 in 1991 by 88.16 in 2001.

2.11 UNEMPLOYMENT

The district has been producing many educated persons. The

educated youth duly register themselves in the Employment Exchange.

The number of unemployed youths, who have registered their names in

the Employment Exchange, exceeded two lakhs in 2001. The details of

registered unemployed persons in Kanyakumari district are given in the

following table.no.2.4

45

TABLES NO. 2.4

REGISTERED UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN

KANYAKUMARY DISTRICT IN 2001

Category Male Female Total

Below Matriculates 13056 10697 23753

Matriculates 88828 85905 174733

Higher Secondary 15404 16479 31883

Diploma holders in Engineering 3866 3522 7388

I.T.I. holders 462 816 1278

Total 121616 117419 239035

Source : District Statistical Handbook, Nagercoil

2.12 AGRICULTURE

The district economy depends mainly upon agriculture and

its allied activities. The most important crops raised here are paddy,

tapioca, coconut, banana, rubber, cashew nut, mango pineapple and

pepper. Agriculture is the main source of income. The total area of land

under cultivation has been estimated at 91507 hectares in this district in

2005. The net area sown, area sown more than once, and total area

cultivation in this district for the past five years are given in the Table

No.2.5

46

TABLE NO: 2.5

AREA UNDER CULTIVATION IN KANYAKUMARI

DISTRICT IN 2005

Item 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

1. Net area sown 80820 80944 79713 78829 78536

2. Area sown more

than once

17628 17380 14661 8975 12971

3. Total area cultivated 98448 98324 94374 87804 91507

Source: Season and crop report of Tamil Nadu – 2005.

2.13 LAND USE PATTERN

The total land in Kanyakumari district is 1672. 67 hectares,

of which 48.9 per cent is under cultivation, 32.2 per cent is forest and the

remaining 18.5 per cent is occupied by dams, canals, roads and buildings.

Total area cultivated in 2003 – 2004 is 94, 314 hectares and the area sown

is 79,713. Area sown more than once is 14, 601 hectares. The land use

pattern in Kanyakumari district is given in Table No. 4.6 in 2003 – 04.

47

TABLE NO: 2.6

LAND USE PATTERN IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

IN 2003 – 2004

Sl.

No. Particulars

Area

(in hectares)

Percentage to the

total geographical

area

1 Forests 54155 32.39

2 Barren & uncultivated

land 3335 1.99

3 Land for non – agri.

Uses 25435 15.21

4 Cultivated waste 2233 1.33

5 Permanent pastures and

grassy 72 0.04

6 Land and miscellaneous

trees and groves 611 0.37

7 Fallow land 1630 9.97

8 Net area sown 79713 47.68

Source : District statistical Handbook, Nagercoil.

2.14 OCCUPATIONAL PATTERN OF PEOPLE

The main occupations of the people in the district are

agriculture, fishing, weaving, brick making, coir marking, cashew

processing, and rubber tapping. The total number of workers in this

district is 5, 45, 605 out of which 16, 067 are cultivators, 81, 099 occupy

48

32.39 percent of the total geographical area in this district. It is followed

by 15.21 percent of area of non – agricultural land used as permanent

pastures and grass lands by the agricultural labourers. 38, 514 people

work in household industries and 3,13,487 are other workers of whom

95,538 are marginal workers6.

2.15 CLIMATE AND RAINFALL

Unlike other districts in Tamilnadu, Kanyakumari district has

the unique advantage of good rain fall during the South west and

Northeast Monsoons. The period of North east Monsoon is from June to

September while that of Southwest Monsoon is from October to

December. The annual rainfall ranges between 90 and 160 cm and the

average is 140 cm. The Monsoon winds, the proximity of the sea and

mountains and forests of the Western Ghats greatly influence the climate

of this district. The summer is not very hot ; and the winter is also not very

cold. The details of the rainfall form the year 2000 to 2004 are given in

Table No.2.7.

6 S.P.Anand. op.cit P-42-43

49

TABLE NO : 2.7

RAIN FALL IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT DURING

2000 – 2004

North east monsoon

June to September

Southwest monsoon

October to December

Year Normal Actual Normal Actual

2000 526.0 864. 6 559. 1 360.8

2001 526.0 650.9 559.1 484.8

2002 526.0 239.8 559.1 768.38

2003 526.0 769.1 559.1 239.8

2004 526.0 526.0 559.1 559.1

Source : District statistical Handbook, Nagercoil.

The district has had the good fortune of having more than normal

monsoon rains . except during 2002 from north east monsoon .

2.16 SOIL CONDITION

In Kanyakumari district there are three main soil groups. They

are laterite type, which occurs in the Blocks of Thiruvattar, Munchirai,

Kurnthencode, Rajakkamangalam, Killioor, Thuckalay and Melpuram.

The mixed type of red loam and coastal alluvial soil is found in

Agasteeswaram and Thovalai blocks.7

7 Socio-economic Review of Kanyakumari.

50

2.17 SOURCES OF IRRIGATION

As Kanyakumari is an agrarian district, and as paddy is the

main crop, cultivation depends mainly on irrigation. In Kanyakumari

District rivers, dams and channels are the important sources of irrigation.

The important rivers, dams and cannels are given in the table below.

TABLE NO. 2.8

SOURCES OF IRRIGATION IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

2002 – 03

Rivers Dams Channels

Thamiraparasni Pandhiyan dam Pandhiyan karai

Pazhayar Puthendam Thovalai channel

Pooniavaikal Pechipparai dam Regulatory kalavi

Paraliyar Perunchani dam Anandarnal channel

Chittar dam – I Nanchinad Puthanar - Channel

Chittar dam – II Padmanabhapuram Puthanar channel

Source : Indian Oversears Bank, Annual credit plan 2002 – 03.

Among the various sources of irrigation on which the

cultivation of crops depends, tanks come first which, irrigate the largest

area of 15794 hectares ,followed by canals which irrigate 11114 hectares.

Compared to these two major sources of irrigation, wells also irrigate an

area of 1420 hectares.

Land irrigated by various sources are illustrated in Table No. 2.9

51

TABLE NO : 2.9

LAND IRRIGATED BY VARIOUS SOURCES IN 2000

Sl. NO. Type of irrigation Area irrigated (in hectares)

1. Canals 11, 114

2. Tanks 15.794

3. Wells 1420

4. Othersources 480

Total 29,071

Source : DRNA – Kanyakumari District Annual Report 2000 – 2001

2.18 LIVESTOCK RESOURCES

Kanyakumari district offers a good agro – climate for the

development of animal husbandry. Livestock resources along with

dairying offer a more stable and sustainable income to the rural

households of the district. The livestock population of the district in 2001

is furnished in Table No. 2.10.

52

TABLE N0:2.10

LIVESTOCK POPULATION IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

IN 2001

Sl. No. Types of livestock Numbers

1. Milch animal 136520 (15. 91%)

2. Goat 62484 (7. 28 %)

3. Poultry 648598 (75. 58%)

4. Sheep 1570 (0.18%)

5. Pigs 3642 (0.42%)

6. Ducks 5384 (0. 63%)

Total 848195 (100)

Source: Gazetters of India, Kanyakumari district, 2001.

From the values given in brackets, it is easily understandable

that poultry and milch animals jointly constitute 91.49 percent. Poultry

alone forms 75.58 percent, while milch animals contribute only 15.91

percent.

53

2.19 FISHERIES

Kanyakumari district is famous for fish production. It has

both inland and marine fishing centers. It has a long coastal line of 68

kms. Fish has a prominent place in the diet of the people of Kanyakumari

district. There are five coastal blocks and 42 coastal landing centers. In the

district, the fish production has decreased from 49951 tons in 2001 – 02 to

16, 308 tons in 2004 – 05. The total inland fish production has also

decreased from 2,870 tons in 2001 – 02 to 2, 159 tons in 2004 – 058

2.20 INDUSTRIES

Though the districts is educationally forward industrially it is

backward. It has only 649 registered working factories. There were 645

large scale industries, 991 small scale industries and 121 cottage

industries, which promote the development and welfare of the rural as

well as the urban people of the district in 2004. Thus compared to other

districts in Tamilnadu, Kanyakumari has very few industries.9

2.21 WIND MILLS AND ENERGY

Kanyakumari is famous for its windmill and wind energy.

Windmills are localized in and around Aralvoimozhi in Thovalai taluk.It

can boast of the largest wind mill farm in Asia. It produced 226.950 M.V

of electricity in 2003 – 2004. The total hydropower generalized in this

district is 154. 230M.V. in 2003 – 2004. There is no thermal plant in this

district.10

8 Socio-economic Review of Kanyakumari (2001-2002)

9 Kanyakumary District Annual plan for 1987 , P-31s

10 Annual Credit Plan 92-93

54

2.22 MINERAL RESOURCES

As far as mineral resources are concerned the district is in a

satisfactory position. Limestone deposites are there in Thovalai and

Agesteeswaram blocks, while granite is available in Tiruvattar, Thuckalay,

Kurunthocode and Agasteewaram blocks.

Manavalakurichi, a coastal area, is naturally blessed with rare

earth minerals like brown, ilmenite, monazite, rutile, garnet, silumerite

and zircon. M/s Indian Rare Erath Ltd. Manavalakurichi, a Central

Government Enterprise, is engaged in the separation of these minerals.

Some minerals are exported to Japan and other countries from Colachel

coast. This has secured Kanyakumari district a place in the map of the

world. There is also a demand for setting up a Titanium factory.

The annual production and the end use of the major minerals of

the district are given in Table No. 2.11 in 2001.

55

TABLE NO. 2.11

PRODUCTION, VALUE AND END USE OF MAJOR

MINERALS DURING 2001

Source: District statistical Handbook 2001

2. 23 FOREST RESOURCES

Forest occupied an area of 54155 hectares in 2003–2004 which

forms 32. 4 percent of the total geographical area of Kanyakumari district.

The major portion of the forest area lies in Thovalai, Thiruvattar and

Melpuram blocks. The elevation of the Forest Range from the sea level is

estimated at 1850 m. Forest in Kanyakumari district has about 606 species

of gigantic timber trees and 350 other plants many of which have high

economic value. In the forest area the plantation crops such as coffee, tea,

rubber, pepper and cardamom are grown in plenty.11

11Kanyakumari District Annual Action plan for 1987, P-31.

Sl.

No.

Name of the

mineral

Production

(in tons)

Value

Rs. In ‘000 End use

1 Ilmenite (Block

sand) 90700 2380875 White paint

2.

Monazite

(Radioactive

material)

3100 9000 Atomic Energy

3. Zircon 9650 1737000 Atomic Energy

4. Rutile (Titan oxide) 4000 126000 Welding

electrodes

5. Garnet (Silicon

carbon) 6540 16350

Abrasives and

grinding wheels

56

2. 24 TRANSPORT IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

Roadways connect the entire Kanyakumari district. There

are no airports and seaports in this district. The total length of roads and

railways is given in Table No. 2.12.

TABLES NO. 2. 12

TRANSPORT IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT IN 2005

Source : District Statistical Hand Book – 2005, Kanyakumari district.

SL. NO.

PARTICULARS LENGTH IN KM

1. Road length

a) National Highways

b) state Highways

c) Corporation and Municipalities

d) Pancheyat union and Panchyat road

E) Town Panchyat road

f) Others (forest road)

84.37

1185.947

295. 619

1766. 346

2015. 66

36. 88

2. Railways

a) Railways length broad gauge 78

57

2.25 BEE – KEEPING INDUSTRY

The development of Bee – keeping industry is primarily taken

up through 27 State KVI Boards and 192 Registered Institutions and Co –

operative Societies directly financed by KVIC. KVIC has launched a

national programme for three years on Bee – keeping.12

2.26 AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUND OF THE DISTRICT:

The district depends entirely on agriculture for its income.

Various agricultural commodities are cultivated in the district. In the

Western Ghats, plantation crops like tea, coffee, rubber, spices and

tobacco are raised. Where as in the plains paddy, banana, coconut and

vegetables are grown .

Agriculture is the main source of income . There are about

three thousand small scale industries in Kanayakumari district. There are

about ninety different types of industries .Commercial banks play a vital

role in catering to the financial needs of farmers and industries .Co-

operative Housing Societies have also started functioning in different

localities for providing loan to different crops, which are stated in the

following table.

12 Census of India 1981, P-13

58

TABLES NO. 2. 13

LAND USE PATTERN OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT IN

KANYAKUMARY DISTRICT.

Crops cultivated Area cultivated

Paddy

Coconut

Other crops

Tapioca

Banana

Black gram

Rubber

Arec nut

Black pepper

8332

2796

1771

1765

1264

655

303

173

10

Source : District Statistical Hand Book, Kanyakumari district.

The table clearly exhibits the area used for different types of

agricultural crops. Among the agricultural crops, paddy stands first with

8332 hectares of land. It constitutes 49% of the total area. Coconut stands

second with 2796 hectares. It is also noted that very little area is used for

the cultivation of black pepper.

2.27 FISHERIES

This district has a coastline of 68km spread over the west

coast and east coast .About 8000 fishermen are actively engaged in

fishing. An area of one lakh hectare is reported to be suitable for marine

fishing .One of the richest fishing ground in the world, namely Wedge

Banks, lies 88km south of Kanyakumari and extends to about 56km on

either side of Cape comorin.

59

2.28 BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES , POSTOFFICES, AND

OTHER INSTITUTIONS:

Kanyakumari district is endowed with a very good network of

Post Offices, Commercial Banks and other insurance companies.

Commercial Banks play an important role in providing finance both to the

agricultural and industrial sector. Indian Overseas Bank and its branches

operate in most areas. State Bank of Travancore occupies the second

position with 24 branches.

2.29 TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

The district has a metalled road length of 2621.70kms, and 167

post offices to take care of the present transport and communication needs.

All the villages are connected by road and transport system. The head

quarters of the district, Nagercoil is well connected with other major cites

of the State both by Express Bus routes and Rail.

2.30 CONCLUSION

It is clear that Kanyakumari district is equipped with rich

infrastructure like Educational Institutions, Industries, Fishing, and Tourist

centers. It shows highly developed agricultural situations. The

improvement in the agricultural sector shows that there is ample scope for

the industrial development in this district with the help of the Bee Keeping

industry.