CHAPTER - IV

PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

Origin and History of Kanyakumari District

Kanyakumari district has its ancient history dating back to

the ‘Sangam Age’ a ‘Cradle of Civilization’ in this part of India. The

district has a large number of historic monuments and temples. A

series of ‘Kingdoms’ are known to have ruled Kanyakumri, most

important being the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas. Up to

early 50’s of the 20th Century, this region was part of Travancore

Samasthan, present day Kerala State, where the Tamil speaking

majority population struggled much to merge with Tamil Nadu

state and as such Kanyakumari district became part of Tamil

Nadu, after the constitution of the state Re-organising Commission

of 1956. On the recommendations of the Commission, it was

rearranged that Agasteeswaram, Thovalai, Kalkulam, Vilacancode

and Senkottai taluks were given to Tamil Nadu state among which

the first four taluks were grouped to form a new Kanyakumari

district. On Ist November 1956, the present Kanyakumari district

came into existence with its headquarters at Nagercoil. 1

Kanyakumari district lies at the southern most tip of

peninsular India, where the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the

Bay of Bengal embrace one another. By its very location, this

district occupies a unique place among the districts of Tamil Nadu.

One of the most important pilgrim centres of India, Kanyakumari

(Cape Comerin) is very famous for its tourist attractions. Besides,

enjoying with comparatively high rates of rainfall and fertile soils,

the district is also called Nanjil Nadu, legendary for agricultural

productivity. Moreover, one could witness to ‘rare scene’ of the

setting of the sun and the rising of the moon simultaneously on a

full moon day at Cape Commerin in Kanyakumari. 2

Location

Kanyakumari district is situated in the southern tip of the

Indian sub-continent lying between 770-05 and 770-36 of the

eastern longitude and 8o-03 and 8o-35’ of the northern latitude.

Kanyakumari district has an area of 1672 sq.km. It is bounded by

Tirunelveli district in the north and north – east, Kerala State in

the north –west and sea in the west and south.

On the basis of physiography, the district can be divided into

three natural divisions. North-eastern portion of the district

comprises of the eastern portion of the Kalkulam and Vilavancode

taluks. The north-eastern portion of the Thovalai taluk constitutes

a mountainous division with spurs from Western Ghats running

into it. In the extreme west and south west of the district is the sea

coast which is flat and fairly fertile. The land along the sea coast is

called the low lands. In between the mountainous region (high

land) and the sea coast (low land), there exists a strip of undulating

valley (midlands) with a few streams available for cultivation.3 A

geographical map is also depicted in this chapter to correctly locate

the study area.

Population in Kanyakumari District

The total area of Kanyakumari district is 1672 sp.km. Its

population is 1676034, and of this 832269 are males and 843765

are females. The total rural population is 582761 and the urban

1087002. According to 2001 census, the density of population in

Kanyakumari district is 999 per sq.km and total literates are

1308322.

Table 4.1 Area, population literates, SC, ST – sex-wise by blocks and municipalities

Source: Census of India,2001

One important feature of the population of Kanyakumari

district is that the total of females out numbers males. The ratio

between the males and the females is 1000:1012. Of the 13 blocks

Name of the Blocks /Municipalities

Are

a (sq.k

m) Population Literate

Pers

on

s

Ma

le

Fem

ale

Pers

on

s

Ma

le

Fem

ale

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Agastheswaram 133.12 148419 73260 75159 118778 60120 58658

Rajakkamangalam 120.16 137254 68119 69135 108539 55337 53202

Thovalai 369.07 110719 55057 55662 85132 44101 41031

Kurunthancode 106.85 165070 81823 83247 126882 64369 62513

Thuckalay 130.33 167262 82488 84774 131428 66461 64967

Thiruvattar 344.80 161619 80220 81399 122710 62524 60186

Killiyoor 82.70 156387 78663 77724 119931 62173 57758

Munchiri 72.01 177225 89122 88103 131461 68366 63095

Melpuram 271.89 179535 88578 90957 137211 70560 66651

Nagercoil Municipality 24.27 208179 102907 105272 175248 88590 86658

Padmanabapuram 6.47 20075 9967 10108 16282 8372 7910

Colachel 5.18 23787 11996 11791 18008 9275 8733

Kuzhithurai 5.15 20503 10069 10434 16712 8419 8293

TOTAL 1672.00 1676034 832269 843765 1308322 668667 639655

and municipalities, Agasteeswaram block, Melpuram block,

Nagercoil Municipality and Kuzhithurai block, we can find that

females out number males and in all other blocks females are less.

Caste Conditions

The following table, number 4.2 gives a detailed condition of

scheduled caste and tribes in Kanyakumari district.

Table 4.2 Schedule caste and tribes in Kanyakumari district

Blocks / Municipalities

Scheduled Caste Schedule Tribes

Pers

on

s

Ma

le

Fem

ale

Pers

on

s

Ma

le

Fem

ale

Agastheswaram 13397 6577 6820 513 251 262

Rajakkamangalam 7348 3677 3671 55 29 26

Thovalai 11344 5657 5687 487 271 261

Kurunthancode 7866 4029 3837 35 18 17

Thuckalay 5386 2722 2664 19 5 14

Thiruvattar 4510 2247 1384 2237 1121 1116

Killiyoor 2777 1393 3177 61 32 29

Munchiri 6257 3080 3686 143 65 78

Melpuram 7310 3624 3764 1275 630 645

Nagercoil Municipality

7483 3719 1073 342 170 172

Padmanabapuram 2225 1152 308 10 5 5

Colachel 580 272 189 4 2 2

Kuzhithurai 379 190 42 23 19

TOTAL 76863 4.60%

5223 0.31%

Source : Census of India, 2001.

Out of the total population of Kanyakumari district 4.60

percent are scheduled castes and 0.31 percent are scheduled

tribes.

Education

Kanyakumari District is one of the 100 percent literate

districts of India. It is declared as 100 percent literate district in the

beginning of 1990’s.4 The total Number of educational institutions

are 981. The classification is listed in Table, 4.3.

Table 4.3 Educational Institutions of Kanyakumari district

Schools and Colleges Number of Institutions

Arts & Science Colleges 16

B.Ed. Colleges 16

Medicine –Allopthy Indian Medicine

Homeopathy

2 2

2

Engineering 19

College for Special Education 8

Pre-Primary Schools 83

Primary Schools 413

Middle Schools 147

High Schools 120

Higher Secondary 122

Teachers Training Institutes 8

Industrial training institutes 23

Source : District statistical Hand book

Financial Resources

In terms of banking coverage, Kanyakumari district could be

considered as one of the well-banked districts of Tamil Nadu. There

are 114 branches of different commercial banks, spread over 103

centres of the district. Indian Overseas Bank has been considered

to be the lead bank of the district for distributing the necessary

loans and advances to farmers, industrial workers and other

industrial organizations of the district. 5

Soil Condition

Soil in the district is mostly of red loam variety. In the sea

coasts, the sandy type of soil prevails and near the mountain

regions gravelly soil is generally seen. In the lowlands there is

neither white sand nor sandy loam. The mid lands and high lands

contain fairly fertile soil. The valleys in the mid land have loamy

clay soil with high sand content. Generally, in the mid lands the

soil is clay loam of laterite origin with an admixture of gravel sand.6

Different categories of soil and the suitability of crops is

shown in the Table 4.4.

Table 4.4 Types of soil and suitability of crops in

Kanyakumari district

Soil Type

Crops Grown

Irrigated Rainfed

Type Tropopsamments - Coconut

Lithic Ustrothents - Orchard Crops

Lithic Troporthents Banana Rubber

Paralithic Troporthents Banana Rubber

Typic Troporthents Colecrops Orchard crops

Typic Ustropepts Flower and

Colecrops

Tapioca

Typic Eutropepts Colecrops Rubber

Typic Dystropepts Paddy Tapioca

Fluventic Dystropepts - Coconut

Udic Haplustalfs Paddy Pulses

Udic Rhodustalfs Colecrops Cashew

Udic Hapludalfs Paddy Pulses

Typic Tropudalfs Paddy Pulses

Aqure Tropudalfs Paddy -

Aquic Halpudalfs Paddy -

Typic Udipsamments - Coconut

Source: Soil Atlas of Kanyakumari District, Soil Testing Laboratory,

Nagercoil, 2004.

The soil fertility is given in terms of the contents of nitrogen,

phosphorus and potash. The soil in most of the blocks have low

contents of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash while the soil in the

Killiyoor and Agasteeswaram blocks have medium content of

potash. Diverse soils promote cultivation of diverse crops over the

different parts of the district.

Climate

The District has a favourable agro-climatic condition which is

suitable for growing a number of crops. The proximity of the

equator, its topography and other climate factors favour the growth

of various crops. The paddy varieties grown in the second crop

season in Thovalai and Agasteeswaram taluks are grown during the

first crop season in Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks. This shows

that there is distinct variation in the climate conditions prevailing

within the district. Unlike other districts in Tamil Nadu, it has a

rainfall both during the South West and the North East monsoons.

The South West monsoon period starts from the month of June and

ends in September, while the North East monsoon period starts

from October and ends in the middle of December. The average

rainfall is shown in Table 4.5.

Table 4.5 Time series data of rainfall by seasons (last 16 years)

Source: Assistant Director of Statistics, Nagercoil.

Year South West Monsoon

North East Monsoon

Winter Season

Hot Weather Season

Total

% D

evia

tion

(+or-

or

=)fro

m

Norm

al

Norm

al

Actu

al

Norm

al

Actu

al

Norm

al

Actu

al

Norm

al

Actu

al

Norm

al

Actu

al

1993 559.1 5935.0 526.0 927.8 50.2 17.0 321.5 205.5 1456.8 1743.5 +19.68

1994 559.1 492.8 526.0 1039.9 50.2 77.1 321.5 276.7 1456.8 1886.4 +29.49

1995 559.1 595.7 526.0 630.3 50.2 41.2 321.5 509.6 1456.8 1776.8 +21.97

1996 559.1 592.8 526.0 608.0 50.2 19.5 321.5 213.5 1456.8 1343.8 -7.76

1997 559.1 593.0 526.0 646.5 50.2 10.6 321.5 269.2 1456.8 1519.3 +4.29

1997-98

559.1 760.0 526.0 653.4 50.2 2.8 321.5 240.4 1456.8 1656.9 13.74

1998-99

559.1 667.8 526.0 1069.3 50.2 52.7 321.5 458.6 1456.8 2248.4 +54.34

1999-00

559.1 590.4 526.0 602.0 50.2 204.1 321.5 138.8 1456.8 1535.3 +5.39

2000-01

559.1 894.6 526.0 360.3 50.2 73.9 321.5 419.2 1456.8 1748.5 +20.02

2001-02

559.1 650.9 526.0 484.8 50.2 28.2 321.5 341.6 1456.8 1505.5 +3.34

2002-03

559.1 239.8 526.0 769.1 50.2 9.5 321.5 188.6 1456.8 1207.0 -17.15

2003-04

559.1 230.9 526.0 486.2 50.2 10.5 321.5 380.6 1456.8 1108.2 -23.92

2004-05

559.1 603.4 526.0 337.4 50.2 32.8 321.5 461.9 1456.8 1435.5 -1.46

2005-06

327.8 389.3 427.4 549.9 33.4 38.6 217.4 272.1 1006.0 1249.9 +24.2

2006-07

327.8 644.4 427.4 611.5 33.4 7.38 217.4 290.2 1006.0 1553.9 +54.42

2007-08

327.8 803.9 427.4 506.6 33.4 71.7 217.4 413.1 1006.0 1795.3 +78.46

The content of the above table shows that the quantum of

rainfall is subjected to severe fluctuations. The deviations from the

normal ranges from 478.40 % to 23.92%.

In Kanyakumari district, rainfall is distributed over four

seasons. They are south-west and north-east monsoons, winter

and hot weather season.

The south-west monsoon and north-east monsoon are more

effective in the district, contributing to an average of 1369.9 MM as

annual rainfall.

The season-wise distribution of rainfall in Kanyakumari

district shows the availability and flourishment of different crops.

The south-west monsoon extends up to the month of September

from June and the north-east starts in October and ends in

December. Greater concentration of rainfall exists during these two

monsoon seasons. The winter season is in the month of January

and February. In this season, the rainfall is extremely low. The

summer season begins in the month of March and ends in May.

The summer seasons enjoy a higher average rainfall than the

winter but less than in the monsoon seasons. Season-wise

distribution of normal rainfall is given in Table 4.6.

Table 4.6 Season- wise distribution of rainfall

Season Rainfall in MM

South – west monsoon (June-Sept)

North – east monsoon (October-December)

Winter season (January-February)

Summer Season (March – May)

332.5

486.18

0.5

188.6

Source: Live Register, Asst. Director of Statistics, District Statistical Office, 2004.

River Basin

Kanyakumari district is drained into five river basins Viz.,

Tambaraparani river basin in the west, Pazhayar river basin in the

east, Valliyar river basin, the Bamfurivaikkal and Ponnivaikkal

river basins in the middle portion of the district.

The Paraliyar, Kodayar and the Chittar I and II form the

Tambaraparani river basins. It originates from the mountains north

of Mahendragiri hills in Thovalai Taluk. The river Kadar has its

source at the southern extremity of Muthukuzhivayal plateau in

Kalkulam Taluk and proceeding towards south, the river drops 50

feet down forming the Thirpparappu river falls, further the river

joins with Paraliyar at Thiruvattar. The river Chittar I & II has its

source in the mountains in Klamala Reserve Forest near Yeetukani

and Vandiplaavukani. Both the rivers join the river Kodayar near

Alanchola and Thirpparappu village. Pazhayar originates in the

south of Mahendragiri peak surrounded by the Tirunelveli district

in the east, Tambaraparani river basin in the west and by the

Arabian Sea in the south. The Valliyar starts from Velimalai in

Kalkulam Taluk. The river Bomfurivaikkal originates from the hills

located near Valvachakostam Village. The Ponnivaikkal originates

from the Puliyadicheri hills.

Irrigation

Irrigation projects may be in the form of surface flow or

ground water irrigation. Surface flow irrigation covers rivers,

canals, tanks, springs and others and ground water through wells.

An account of these sources is given in Table 4.7.

Table 4.7 Area irrigated by different sources in Kanyakumari district

Name of Source Gross Area

Irrigated in ha

Percentage

A) Surface Flow Irrigation

Canals

Tanks

Springs and others

Total

B) Ground Water Irrigation

Tube wells

Ordinary wells

Others

13,454

24,999

224

38,677

3

1,757

299

33.03

61.37

0.55

94.95

0.01

4.31

0.73

Total 2,059 5.05

Total Area Irrigated (A+B) 40,736 100

Source : ‘G’ Returns, District Statistical Office, Nagercoil, 2004.

The surface flow irrigation is the major source in this district.

Nearly 94.95 per cent of the total irrigated area is covered by the

surface flow irrigation sources and the remaining 5.05 percent by

ground water irrigation sources.

Table 4.8 Development of irrigation in the district

Name of channel Old wet

(acres)

Conversion

(acres)

Total area

(acres)

Thovalai channel

N.P. Channel

Pazhayar

Anandanar system

E.K. Kal system

P.P. Channel system

Thiruvithamcode system

5386

7281

6642

5868

2106

4253

3825

7478

1708

188

4032

4800

339

4377

12864

8990

6830

9901

6907

4592

8202

Total 35364 22925 58284

Source: Ago Stat 2003, Joint Director of Agriculture, Kanyakumari, p.165.

Table 4.8 shows that the construction of the seven irrigation

channels, while helped in the stabilization of 35,364 acres of wet

land, has contributed to the conversion of 22,925 acres of dry land

into wet land. Conversion is followed by a change in the crops

cultivated from coarse cereals and pulses to paddy.

However, variability in the quantum of rainfall in recent times

has led to the conversion of paddy lands into coconut groves. In

the 70s for four consecutive years (1973-76) and in the 90’s for

eight years (1985-92), the rainfall was below normal. The

cultivators were not prepared to gamble with paddy under such

uncertainties, and they turn to the next best alternative of coconut.

Coconut crop is found in the tail-end area of rivers and canals

because of repeated failure of paddy crop especially at the dough

stage caused by inadequate supply of water.

Irrigation Systems

The ancient irrigation works in this district dates back well

over thousand years. The Pandian dam across the river Paraliyar

and the feeding channel known as Pandiankal were constructed by

the ancient rulers about one thousand years ago. Table 4.9 lists

the rivers, dams and the canals of the districts.

Irrigation may be defined as the supply of water by human

efforts for the cultivation of crops. The function of irrigation is to

supplement the supplies of water obtained in the form of rain on

the area to be cultivated during the seasons and to extend required

water for the successful cultivation of crops.

In Kanyakumari district, rivers, dams, channels are the

important sources of irrigation. These sources are shown in

table 4.9.

Table 4.9 Various sources of irrigation

Rivers Dams Channels Thamirabarani

Pazhayar

Valliyar

Ponnaiah Vaikal

Paraliyar

Pandiyan Dam

Puthen Dam

Pechiparai Dam

Perunchani Dam

Chittar Dam I

Chittar Dam II

Pandiyan Kalvai

Thovalai channel

Regulatory Kalvai

Anandhanar channel

Nanchilnadu Puthanar Channel

Padmanabhapuram Puthanar channel

Source: Indian Overseas Bank Annual Credit Plan.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of

Kanyakumari district. The total number of cultivators are 16067

and the agricultural labourers are 81,999. The total area cultivated

in 2003-04 was 94374 hectares and the net area sown was 79713

hectares. The area sown more than once is 14661. The land use

pattern in Kanyakumari district is given in Table 4.10.

Table 4.10 Land use pattern in Kanyakumari district 2003-04

Particulars Area in ha % to Total

Geographical Area

Position

Forests 54,155 32.39 II

Barren and uncultivable land 3,335 1.99 IV

Land put to non agricultural uses

25,435 15.21 III

Culturable waste 2,233 1.33 V

Permanent pastures and grazing land

763 0.04 VIII

Land and miscellaneous trees & groves

611 0.37 VII

Fallow land 1,630 0.97 VI

Net sown area 79,713 47.68 I

Source: Asst. Director of Statistics, Chennai District Statistical Office, Nagercoil, 2003-04.

The area under forests represents both government and

private lands covered by forests. In Kanyakumari district, 39 per

cent of the total area is occupied by forests. The barren and

uncultivable land comprises the land under mountains and

deserts. Such lands are not fit for cultivation purposes. Only 1.99

per cent of the total land has been identified as barren and

uncultivable.

The land put to non-agricultural uses covers the lands used

for the construction of buildings, roads, railways, the area covered

by water and similar other activities. This accounts for 1.21 per

cent. Culturable waste refers to the land which is available for

cultivation but not cultivated during the current year and previous

five years or more. Only 01.33 percent land account for this

culturable waste. Fallow land consists of current fallows and other

fallow lands. Current fallows are the cultivable lands which are

kept fallow after the harvest. This accounts for 0.97 percent.

The net area sown is the area cropped at least once in an

agricultural year. It accounted for 47.68 per cent to the total

geographical area in the year 2003-04.

Kanyakumari district became a distinct unit of administration

in 1956 (November), after states reorganization. Since then the

cropping pattern has undergone some clear changes.

Table 4.11 Cropping pattern trends (in hectares)

Crop 1957-58 Average for 60’s

Average for 70’s

Average for 80’s

Average for 90’s

Average for 2007-

08

Paddy

Tapioca

Banana

Coconut

Rubber

56,686

8,672

1,017

8,129

3,472

58,167

14,619

1,405

10,643

5,517

53,265

13,140

1,842

14,635

9,484

42,124

11,364

2,354

16,878

13,366

38,067

9,362

3,549

20,423

20,636

27,923

7,343

5,087

23,212

18,278

Source: Computed from season and crop reports of Tamilnadu, various years.

The contents of the above table show that there has been a

steep (47 percent) decline in the area under paddy, as against a

phenomenal increase in the areas under banana (5 times), coconut

(3 times) and rubber (5 times).

Technological Change and Agricultural Productivity

In addition to the physical factors, agricultural production, to

a great extent, depends upon the agricultural technology. In

Kanyakumari district, agricultural technology has been developed

in two stages viz., traditional technology and new technology. The

traditional technology was in practice before the introduction of

new strategy of Green Revolution.7

Technological change in agriculture is concerned with the

adoption of new high yielding variety seeds, increased use of

chemical fertilizers, extensive use of plant protection chemicals,

improved agricultural tools and machinery. The adoption of these

components depends upon the factors like irrigation, size of farm

holdings, farm capital, price of produce and agricultural extension

service.

Fisheries

Kanyakumari district is famous for fish production. It has

both inland and coastal fishing centres. It has a long coastal line of

68 km. Fish find a good place in the diet of the people of

Kanyakumari district; a variety of fishes are produced in

Kanyakumari district. It has five coastal blocks and 42 coastal

landing centres. 37,250 tonnes of marine and 3708 tonnes of

inland fishes are produced annually in this district.

Industries

Kanyakumari district is an industrially backward district. It

has only 649 registered working factories. The number of large

scale industries are four and those of medium, small and cottage

industries are 645, 991 and 121 respectively. 8

The District Industrial Centre in Kanyakumari district

classified the existing industrial units into seven main groups.

(1) Agro-based Industries, (2) Forest-based industries, (3) Food-

based industries, (4) Chemical-based industries, (5) Electrical and

electronic industries, (6) Engineering industries and

(7) Miscellaneous industries. An agro-based industry is one which

produces things for the local market and uses agricultural products

as its main raw material. On the basis of this criteria, the District

Industrial Centre has identified nearly 287 variety of industrial

units as agro-based industries in Kanyakumari district. These

industries are located in rural areas and absorb the rural labour

supply for their existence.

THOVALAI TALUK

Thovalai taluk is spread over an area of 359 sq. km. flanked

on the north by the hills of the Western Ghats, on the east by

Tirunelveli district, west and south by Kalkulam and

Agasteeswaram taluks. The highest hill in the district is

Mahendragiri (165 m) of Thovalai taluk.

Population

In Thovalai taluk, there is no urban area and hence the entire

area of the taluk is considered as rural. The total population of the

taluk was 1,10,719 in 2001; out of the total population 55,057

were, males, 55,662 were females; 11.50% of the population

belongs to SC (high ratio in the district) 0.4% ST. The density of

population was only 265 per sq. km. (the lowest in the district). The

literacy rate of the taluk is 76.89 percent. The distribution of male

and female population in the rural and urban areas is shown in

Table 4.12.

Table 4.12 Region wise classification of population

Population Rural Urban

Male

Female

55057

55662

-

-

Source: Census of India 2001.

Education

This taluk has 10 primary schools, seven government high

schools, one government aided high school, seven government

higher secondary schools, one government aided higher secondary

school, six matriculation high schools, two matriculation higher

secondary schools, two schools for the mentally diabled and one

international standard school. In addition to these, there are, two

polytechnics, three industrial training institutes, two colleges of

education, one teacher training institute, two community colleges,

one arts and science college and nine engineering colleges.

Land Utilisation

The total agricultural output depends on the quantity and

quality of land available and its uses. Table 4.13 shows the land

utilization details.

Table 4.13 Land utilization in Thovalai taluk

Classification Area in hectare

Forest

Baren and uncultivable land

Land put under non-agricultural uses

Cultivable lands

Permanent pastures

Land under miscellaneous tree crops

Current fallow

Other fallow

Net area sown

Total cropped area

Area sown more than once

20856

820

3819

99

72

76

1204

1070

8893

13063

4270

Source: District States Hand Book (2000-2001)

Agriculture

Palmyrah topes are on a lesser scale in Thovalai taluk.

Arecanut is grown to some extent in Thovalai taluk. Kolunthu is

cultivated at Thovalai and this has become famous for its aroma.

Wet Transplanted, Semi – dry (April – May) and 3. Wet direct

sown (May-June) are the three methods of cultivation practiced in

channel – fed areas, the second method and the third method are

practiced in places where plenty of water is available. In Thovalai

taluk, there are 59 units under rubber plantation.

Irrigation

Thovalai taluk has 92 rainfed tanks (Manavari) and 118

system tanks (Channel fed). Thovalai taluk has a non-system tank,

namely, Chenbagaramanputhoor Periyakulam and the Ayacut

under the tank is 213.49 acres. 9 Besides, it has 96.8 km. long

canals and 285 wells used for irrigation purpose only.

4.2.11 Banking and Finance

There are 9 commercial banks in 7 villages which are

functioning in Thovalai taluk - in Aralvoimozhi, Bank of Tamil

Nadu Limited and State Bank of India; in Bhoothapandy, Canara

Bank and State Bank of Travancore; Bank of Tamil Nadu Limited in

Thazhakudi, IOB in Thittuvilai; IOB in Thovalai; Canara Bank in

Azhagiapandiyapuram and SBI in Thadikarankonam. The

Kanyakumari District Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Nagercoil

provides crop insurance in Thovalai taluk. In addition to these,

there are nine primary co-operative banks functioning in this taluk

and issuing agricultural credits to the farmers.

AGASTHESWARAM TALUK

Agasteeswaram taluk, spread over an area of 276 sq. km. is

one of the four constituent taluks of Kanyakumari distict. This

taluk is bounded by the three seas: the Indian Ocean, the Arabian

Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It is surrounded on the north by

Thovalai taluk, on the north-east by Tirunelveli district, on the east

by the Bay of Bengal and the west by Kalkulam taluk. It is situated

in the southern most tip of the Indian Sub continent. Nagercoil,

the head quarters town of the distict is located within this taluk.

Population

The total population of Agasteeswaram taluk as per 2001

census was 4,92,714; of the total population, 2,43,831 were males

and 2,48,883 were females. The density of population in

Agasteeswaram taluk is 940 persons per sq.km. The proportion of

female population is high in both rural and urban regions (The

literacy rate of the taluk is 84.96 percent). The distribution of male

and female population in the rural and urban areas is shown in

Table 4.14.

Table 4.14 Regionwise classification of population

Population Region

Total Rural Urban

Male

Female

1,38,173

1,40,967

1,05,658

1,07,916

2,43,831

2,48,883

Total 2,79,140 2,13,574 4,92714

Source: Census of India 2001, pp. 80-81

Education

This Taluk is educationally advanced. There are 36 primary

schools, 11 government high schools, six government aided high

schools, seven government higher secondary schools, 17 governmnt

aided higher secondary schools, 16 matriculation high schools, 23

matricultation higher secondary schools, two schools for the

mentally disabled and one international standard school. In

addition to these, there are two polytechnics, 19 industrial training

institutes, three colleges for education, three teacher training

institute, 10 community colleges, six arts and science colleges (2

for women) and six engineering colleges. Recently, a government

medical college was also opened. In literacy, the taluk stands first

in Kanyakumari district, it has been declared as 100 percent

literate.

Land Utilisation

The total agricultural output depends on the quantity and

quality of land available and its uses. The total cropped area in the

taluk comes to 11,551 hectares. Table 4.15 shows the land

utilization details.

Table 4.15 Land utilization in Agasteeswaram taluk

Classification Area in hectare

Forest

Baren and uncultivable land

Land put under non-agricultural uses

Cultivable lands

Permanent pastures

Land under miscellaneous tree crops

Current fallow

Other fallow

Net area sown

Total cropped area

Area sown more than once

795

583

4221

--

--

--

--

--

8195

11581

3386

Source: District States Hand Book (2000-2001)

Agriculture

This block is fully dependent upon the agricultural sector.

Paddy, pulses and banana are the major food crops in the block,

whereas coconut, vegetables, fruits, cashewnut are the major

commercial crops in the block. An important feature of this block

is the production of off-season mangoes. Of the different crops (in

2003-04), paddy occupied 69% of cropped area, coconut was

calculated over 23% of the area and banana only 9%.

Irrigation

The taluk falls in the higher rainfall zone, where both south-

west and north-east monsoon are active. This taluk receives higher

amount of rainfall from south-west monsoon.

Tanks and channels are the most important sources of

irrigation in this taluk. There are 247 tanks and 26 km. long

canals in the taluk. The area under different irrigation facilities is

furnished in Table 4.16.

Table 4.16 Area under different sources of irrigation in Agasteeswaram taluk

Source Gross area Percentage variation

Tanks

Canals Wells Others

10,502.95

8,184.55 1,573.20 181.70

51.37

40.03 7.69 0.90

Total 20,442.40 100.00 Source: Agasteeswara taluk office, G. return for 2003-04 Nagercoil p.5.

Table 4.16 exhibits that tanks pose the first place by

facilitating irrigation for 10,502.95 hec. (51.37%), canals occupy

the second place in the total area under irrigation, facilitating

8184.55 hec. (40.03%). Wells supply water to 1573 hec. (7.69%) of

the total area. The number of wells has been increasing as a result

of intensive cultivation, frequent monsoon failure and lack of

irrigation facilities as this taluk is the tail end. The other sources

of irrigation supply only 0.90 percent of the total land under

cultivation.

Banking and Finance

Banks are available in plenty in this taluk. The village people

get various types of loans from government and private banks and

they include the scheduled commercial banks, Primary Agricultural

Credit Societies and Co-operative banks. People are getting jewel

loan, agricultural loan and vehicle loan from these financial

institutions. In this taluk, there are 63 commercial banks, six

district central cooperative banks and 15 primary cooperative

banks.

REFERENCES

1. Ibid.,p.1.

2. ‘District Profile’, District Statistical Office, Nagercoil, 2003-04.

3. Ibid.

4. Office of the Assistant Director of Statistics, Kanyakumari

District, Nagercoil, 2003.

5. “Annual Action Plan for Kanyakumari District”, Indian Overseas Bank Bulletin, 2001,p.11.

6. Soil Atlas of Kanyakumari District, Soil Testing Labouratory,

Nagercoil, 2003-04.

7. G. Returns, District Statistical Office, Nagercoil,2003-04.

8. General Manager, District Industrial Centre, Nagercoil 2003-04.

9. Ibid ., P.334.