PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA - Shodhgangashodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/5063/13/13_chapter 4.pdf · physiographic divisions of the Kurinji or mountainous region, the Mullai

Empowerment of Rural Women through SHG: A Study in Tiruchirappalli Dt

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CHAPTER - IV

PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

. .

In this chapter, for a better understanding of the readers, it is felt essential to

bring out the qualitative and quantitative profile of the area, background, some key

characteristics of the study area, its features and in general its economy to

understand the background of the district.

The review of literature relating to the development of women self-help

group members in rural areas has given a general idea of their functioning and

problems as well as the challenges faced by them. However, the tools of analysis

employed in the earlier studies and the conclusions arrived at by them may not be

totally applicable to the present study. This is because, the setting of the present

study may differ from that of the previous studies in certain respects. Hence a

detailed profile of the study area as well as its location becomes necessary. An

account of the location of the study area and its physical, demographic and socio-

economic characteristics are given in this chapter.

4.1 HIGHLIGHTS OF INDIA

India is the seventh largest country in the world in terms of area. Its total area

is 3287263 sq. km, which constitutes about 2 per cent of the total land area in the

world. In 2001, the population of India was counted to be about 1027 million

(1,02,70,15,247 persons) of which 528 million (52,82,77,078 persons) are males

and 498 million (49,87,38,169 persons) are females. The density of population is

267 per sq. km that is high by any standard. This is because the size of the

Chapter - IV Profile of the Study Area


156

population is quite staging compared to the area. The female population in relation

to the total population has recorded a slight increase from 48.09 per cent in 1991 to

48.2 per cent in 2001. The sex ratio of female per thousand males has registered a

marginal increase (933) over the last decade (927) mainly due to the decline in

maternal morality. 25.7 per cent of the population live in urban areas and 74.3 per

cent in rural areas. It has been rightly said that India is a rural country.

The rigours of the caste system which is a hierarchical social organisation of

India, are still strong in the rural pockets as a significant proportion of the people in

the rural areas are ignorant, illiterate and isolated without adequate facilities. In

spite of its social, cultural, religious, linguistic and regional universities, India still

remains a unified society. India is a sovereign, secular, socialistic, democratic and

republic country. The constitution of the country has provided for a federal form of

government with a Central and State Governments. Now a third tier of

administration, namely Panchayat Raj, has been introduced. This system is expected

to decentralize the powers and vest more powers with the real authorities known as

panchayat, as development has been understood to start as below (i.e. villages)

where the majority of the population lives. India comprises 28 States and 7 Union

Territories. As the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Pacific Ocean in the south and the

Arabian Sea in the west surround it, it is a Peninsula.

4.2 HIGHLIGHTS OF TAMIL NADU - A BRIEF PROFILE

Tamil Nadu, the South Indian State of India nestles in the southernmost tip

of peninsular India. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka in the north and Kerala in the west

bound the State. The waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean wash the



157

coastal eastern and southern boundaries respectively (Map 4.1). The total

geographical area of the State is 1,30,058 square kilometers divided into 5 major

physiographic divisions of the Kurinji or mountainous region, the Mullai or forest

region, the Palai or arid region, the Marudham or the fertile plains and the Neidhal

or coastal region. The densely forested and wild life filled mountain chains of the

Western Ghats, plateaus, intensively cultivated farmlands, fertile coastal plains are

the geographical features of Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu has a tropical climate with little variation in temperature during

summer and winter. Summer temperatures rise above 40°

in the plain areas. Hill

stations have pleasant climate. The average rainfall ranges between 635 mm and

1,905 mm. The Nilgiris and other hill areas of the State get the highest precipitation

while the arid regions are located in Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli District.

The State is divided into 30 Districts, 2001 Taluks and 385 Blocks. There are

16,317 Villages in the State, out of which 917 are uninhabited. Tamil Nadu is the

sixth most populous state in India having about 6% of the country’s population.

According to 2001 census, the population of State is 62.41 Million as against 55.9

million in 1991 registering a decadal growth of 11.19%, the second lowest rate in

India. The sex ratio is 986 females per 1000 males. The density of population is 478

per square kilometer. About 56% (34.92 Million) of Tamil Nadu’s population lives

in rural areas. The overall literacy percentage is 73.47%. While male literacy is

82.33%, the female literacy is 64.55%. The State ranks third after Kerala and

Maharashtra, both in terms of overall as well as female literacy.



158

Map-4.1

TAMIL NADU MAP



159

Map-4.2

TIRUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT - BOUNDARIES



160

Map-4.3

TALUKS IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT



161

Map-4.4

BLOCKS IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT



162

Tamil Nadu has an educated hardworking and disciplined worked force and

a capable civil service. Among the 15 major states of India Tamil Nadu holds

impressive ranks in general literacy rates, sex ratio, birth rates, infant mortality

rates etc. Tamil Nadu has emerged as the fifth largest economy in India. It has

achieved solid development outcomes with a higher economic growth and a faster

poverty reduction, which is higher than the India average in the 1990s. It is one of

India’s most urbanized states with the third highest Human Development Index

(HDI) among 30 states.

In terms of quality of life, Tamil Nadu was assessed to be the fourth among

the 15 major states of India. However, it is very striking that in terms of rural index,

Tamil Nadu holds a lower 11th rank below the low income sates such as Madhya

Pradesh, Rajasthan and Orissa. Tamil Nadu has an unfurnished development

agenda. The state has a relatively high poverty incidence of about 20 per cent.

The poverty eradication and empowerment of women can be effectively

achieved if poor women could organize into groups for community participation as

well as for ascertaining their rights in various services related to their economic and

social welfare. Moreover, Experiments in various countries also proved that the

poor could be helped by organizing them into small self-help groups. Hence, self-

help groups have become the ray of hope to the development personnel.

Government of Tamil Nadu having realized the power and potential of self-help

groups in alleviating the poverty has started mobilizing the poor women into self-

help groups. It is a unique step the government has taken in mobilizing the poor

women into self-help groups.



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4.3 HIGHLIGHTS OF TIRUCHIRAPPALLI

Tiruchirappalli district is an important region in the State and had been a

centre of activities for many historical events from the days of the early Cholas.

Rock Fort, Thayumana Swamy, Pillaiyar Temple, Teppakulam, the Nawab’s palace,

the Nadir Shah Mosque, Sri Rangam Temple, Thiruvanai Koil, Subramanyaswami

Temple, Upper Anicut and Grand Anicut are some of the important monuments and

temples reflecting the history, culture and traditions of the district. Tiruchirappalli

district is located at the Central part of Tamil Nadu surrounded by Perambalur

district in the north, Pudukkottai district in the south, Karur and Dindigul districts in

the West and Thanjavur district in the east (Map 4.2). It lies between 10° 10' and

11°

20' of the Northern latitudes and 78° 10' and 79°

0' of Eastern longitudes in the

centre part of the Tamil Nadu. The general slope of the district is towards east. It

has a number of detached hills, among which Pachamalai Hill is an important one,

which has a peak up to 1015 m, located at Sengattupatti Rain Forest. Tiruchirappalli

district is one of the important districts in Tamil Nadu and had a population of 25

lakh as per 2001 census (Table 4.1). In terms of urbanisation level, according to the

composition of urban and rural population, Tiruchirappalli district ranked 10th

among

the other districts in Tamil Nadu. Tiruchirappalli district comprises of eight taluks

(Map 4.3) viz. Thuraiyur, Lalgudi, Musri, Tiruchirappalli, Thottiyam M.nallur,

Srirengam and Manapparai, which included 14 blocks (Map 4.4), 408 Village

Panchayats and 1590 Villages. This district consists of four municipalities’ viz.,

Ponmalai, Srirangam, Thuraiyur and Manapparai. Tiruchirappalli is the only

Municipal Corporation which is also the Head Quarters of the District. Agriculture



164

sector provides the major source of income to the population of the district and the

major crops in this district are paddy, cholam, cotton, groundnut, maize etc., In

addition, the other allied sectors like dairy, sheep/goat, sericulture and inland

fishing are the major sectors contributing to the district economy as well as act as a

major source of providing livelihood for improving the income and standard of

living of the people.

Table-4.1

Tiruchirappalli District - Figures at a Glance (2001 census)

Particulars Rural Urban Total

Population:

Male 6,36,558 5,57,575 11,94,133

Female 6,37,958 5,56,740 11,94,698

Total 12,74,516 11,14,315 23,88,831

Decadal Growth Rate:

1991-2001 –3.14 26.54 8.76

Population Density – – 531

Sex Ratio:

1991 994 965 982

2001 1002 999 1000

Literacy Rate:

Male 81.99 93.02 87.19

Female 59.27 84.65 71.19

Total 70.51 88.83 79.16

Source: Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu, Chennai.

Chapter - IV


636558

637958

Male

Population of Tiruchirappalli District (2001 Census)

Rate of Literacy Level in Tiruchireappalli District (2001 Census)

Profile of the Study Area


165

557575

1194133

556740

1194698

Female Total

Chart-3


Rural Urban

Male

87.19

49%Female

71.19

40%

Uneducated

20.84

11%

Chart -4




1194133

1194698





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Salem,

South Arcot districts

Tiruchirappalli

District

Pudukkottai,

Sivaganga, Dindigul

districts

Thanjavur,

Nagapattinam districtsNamakkka,

Karur districts

East West

North

South

4.3.1 Profile of Tiruchirappalli District

Tiruchirappalli District has an area of 4403.83 sq. km Tiruchirappalli district

is located at the Central part of Tamil Nadu surrounded by Perambalur district in the

North, Pudukkottai district in the South, Karur and Dindigul districts in West and

Thanjavur district in the East. It lies between 10° 10' and 11° 20' of the northern

latitude and 78° 10' and 79° 0' of eastern latitude in the centre part of the Tamil

Nadu. The general slope of the district is towards east. It has a number of detached

hills, among which Pachamalai Hill is an important one, which has a peak up to

1015 m, located at Sengattupatti RF. The State of Tamil Nadu bounded by the

districts shown below (Scheme 4.1).

Scheme 4.1: Location of Tiruchirappalli District



167

The district lies:

• At an altitude, 78 m above sea level.

• Between 10.35° C and 11.30° N latitude.

• Between 77.45° and 78.50° E longitude.

• In the Cauvery Riparian region in Tamil Nadu.

• 320 km to the south of Chennai and 128 km to the north of Madurai.

Tiruchirappalli has been a traditional agricultural district and the river

Cauvery flows through the district. The total cultivated area is 1,95,495 hectares.

The numerous other small canals ensure irrigation to the lush green fields. The

district normally experiences a high mean temperature and a low degree of

humidity. The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded are 38.7° C and

32.8° C respectively. The average rainfall is 867.8 mm and the monthly average for

the weather period is 44.66 mm. The normal rainfall during north-east monsoon is

385.2 mm and during the south-west monsoon is 268.9 mm. But the actual rainfall

during north-east monsoon is 437.6 mm and during south-east monsoon is 261.2

mm in the year 2001-02. Tiruchirappalli District is divided into three revenue

divisions, eight taluks and fourteen panchayat unions for administrative

convenience. The details are given in Table-4.2.

Tiruchirappalli city which is the headquarters of the district became a

municipality in 1866. In April 1994, the Tamil Nadu Government formed the

Tiruchirappalli City Corporation amalgamating Tiruchirappalli, Ponmalai and

Srirangam Municipal Councils into one. Since then Srirangam, Ponmalai and

K. Abisekapuram function as three zones of the City Corporation.



168

Table-4.2

Administrative setup of Tiruchirappalli District

Name of Revenue

Division Name of Taluks

Name of Panchayat

Union

№.

Villages

Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli Andanallur 25

Srirangam Manikandam 22

Manapparai Tiruverumbur 24

Manapparai 21

Marungapuri 49

Vaiyampatti 18

Lalgudi Lalgudi Lalgudi 46

Manachanallur Manachanallur 34

Pullambadi 33

Musiri Musiri Musiri 33

Thottiam Thottiam 26

Thuraiyur Thathaiyangarpettai 25

Tiruvelathur Thuraiyur 34

Uppiliapuram 18

Total Numbers: Revenue Divisions: 3, Taluks: 9 and Villages: 408

Source: District Rural Development Agency, Tiruchirappalli

Chapter - IV


22

24

21

49

Administrative setup of Tiruch

irappalli District (N

o. of Villages)


169

49

18

46

34

33

33

26

Chart-5

Administrative setup of Tiruch

irappalli District (N

o. of Villages)


25

34

18

Administrative setup of Tiruchirappalli District (N

o. of Villages)



170

Soil

In Tiruchirappalli District, majority of the area is under Red Sandy soil and

this soil type covers 18% of the total area in the district. Black soil is distributed

along the rivers of Cauvery and Ayacuts near big tanks, this soil type cover 14% of

the total area in the district. The other soil types like Clay, Red Ferruginous, etc.,

are occupying the remaining extent of land cover the district Out of the total area

nearly 93678 hectare of lands are identified as soil problem area with Salinity and

Alkalinity, which is 29% to total area of the district. Moreover, nearly 1,31,785 hect

of lands are identified to be prone to soil erosion in the district The district has been

provided with 463 percolation ponds in order to safeguard the agricultural practices

in the region. Soil conservation practices have been undertaken in about 13934

hectares.

Minerals

Tiruchirappalli district is enriched with several mineral resources. They are

sand, limestone, quartz, gypsum, granite, etc. Of all these, limestone is produced in

huge quantity followed by sand, stone. In Dalmiapuram, many limestone minerals

are found and the Dalmia Cement factory is making use of the same. Apart from

these in Ariyalur, government cement factory is there which is exploiting the

limestone resource available in that area.



171

4.3.2 Agronomic Profile

Land Utilization

The total geographical area of Tiruchirappalli district is 4,40,383 hectares, of

which net sown area occupies 1,78,076 hectares and this accounts for 40% of the

total area in the district. Area under not available for cultivation accounts for 21%

of the total land in the district, i.e. 93,492 hectares. Nearly 26% of the area is

classified under fallow lands and 6% of the lands are under forest coverage. The

remaining lands are classified under groves and orchards category.

The sources of irrigation available in Tiruchirappalli District are summarized

in Table 4.3.

Table-4.3

Source of Irrigation

S. № Source Total №

1. Government Canals 31920

2. Private Canals 0

3. Tanks 6337

4. Tube Wells 10281

5. Other Wells 43011

Total Net Area Irrigated (hectares) 91549

Gross Area Irrigated (hectares) 103792

Source: District Statistical Office, Tiruchirappalli.



172

The important crops cultivated in this district and crop area pertaining to

each crop are furnished in Table 4.4.

Table-4.4

Cropping Pattern in Tiruchirappalli District

S. № Name of the Crop Crop Area cultivated

(‘000 hectares) Percentage

1. Paddy 72426 70.89

2. Grains 1039 1.02

3. Pulses 1682 1.65

4. Sugarcane 4772 4.69

5. Groundnut 7825 7.69

6. Sesame 782 0.76

7. Cotton 1777 1.74

8. Chilly 2257 2.21

9. Turmeric 143 0.14

10. Onion 3252 3.19

11. Castor 41 0.04

12. Coconut 3144 3.09

13. Sunflower 522 0.51

14. Other food crops 2374 2.33

Total All the Crops 102036 99.95

Source: District Statistical Office, Tiruchirappalli.

The horticulture crops have been introduced purely for commercial purposes.

The crops mentioned in Table 4.5 have potential export marketing and there is well

connected road and rail facility, which enable the farmers to market their

horticultural products easily.



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Table-4.5

Horticulture Crops Cultivated in Tiruchirappalli District

S. № Name of the Crops Crop Area cultivated

(in hectares) Production in

Metric Tonne

1. Fruits 11672 405759

2. Vegetables 8014 244643

3. Perfume Crops 5489 10285

4. Flowers 713 5704

5. Hilly Crops 1048 6025

Source: District Statistical Office, Tiruchirappalli

4.3.3 Social Infrastructure

Schools

Literacy is the ability of a person to read and write and communicate with

the outside world where as education is the systematic instruction, schooling or

training given to young persons in preparation for the work and life. The facilities

available for the education of the people in the district are shown in Table-4.6.

Table-4.6

Educational Institutions in Tiruchirappalli District

S.

№ Name of Institution

№ of

Inst.

Student Strength № of

Teachers Boys Girls Total

1. Higher Secondary School 121 80432 83492 163924 3835

2. High School 89 14432 23721 38153 1184

3. Middle School 273 53339 52246 105585 3817

4. Primary School 1054 72884 70207 143091 3934



174

Hospitals

Tiruchirappalli city has numerous hospitals. A primary health centre is

functioning in each village. Government general hospitals are functioning at the

district and taluk head-quarters. Apart from the government hospitals, several multi-

facility hospitals function in the city. The district’s health department is one of the

best in terms of implementing government-initiated healthcare schemes. Rare

surgical procedures have taken place in some of the hospitals in the city. The polio

eradication programme is heavily assisted by various NGOs and clubs in the city. It

also has many sidhdha/unani/ayurveda/homeopathic clinics.

4.3.4 Economic Infrastructure

Transportation

Tiruchirappalli District is well connected with major cities in Tamil Nadu by

rail and road network. By virtue of its central location, Tiruchirappalli City has

become the meeting place of transportation lines (both road and rail) from north to

south and east to west while travelling across the State. Tiruchirappalli, Srirangam

and Ponmalai are parts of Tiruchirappalli urban agglomeration and also developing

as regional metropolis, extending its influence over the entire Tiruchirappalli and

Thanjavur districts. The influence of Tiruchirappalli extends upto Cuddalore,

Villupuram, Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, Erode, Dindigul and Pudukottai Districts.

Tiruchirappalli City is one of the progressive industrial areas of the State.

Tiruchirappalli, Manapparai, Srirangam (part of Tiruchirappalli City Corporation),

Thuraiyur and Ponmalai (part of Tiruchirappalli City Corporation) are the important



175

urban centres in the district and are well connected by roads. The important roads

traversing in the region are:

• The Madurai road (Nation Highway - NH)

• The Pudukottai road (NH)

• The Thanjavur road (NH)

• The Coimbatore road (NH) and

• The Dindigul road (NH).

Tiruchirappalli district has a well-developed system of transportation

network. Nearly 105.4 km of National Highways and 172.03 km of State Highways

are being maintained by Highways Department. The local bodies maintain 2816.92

km of roads under the classification of major and other district roads.

Railways

Tiruchirappalli is an important railway junction and is also a divisional head

quarters of the Southern Railways. There are four broad gauge lines radiating from

Tiruchirappalli Junction to Chennai, Madurai, Thanjavur and Rameswaram and

another broad gauge line linking Erode, Coimbatore and Bangalore. Tiruchirappalli

junction is the main station for passenger as well as goods movement

Airways

Tiruchirappalli has an international airport and is located on the Pudukottai

road at a distance of 6 km from Tiruchirappalli railway junction. Airline services

are being operated to Chennai, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Sri Lanka,

Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai etc.



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Post and Telegraph Services

The number of post offices doing postal business alone is 358 and the post

offices doing post and telegraph business is 152 and the district has 134,955 number

of telephones in use and the number of public local call offices is 11,301.

Banking

There are 250 bank branches in the district. Among them 132 are urban

banks, 39 semi-urban banks and 79 are rural banks. The Indian Overseas Bank is

the lead bank with 47 branches in the district.

4.3.5 Industrial Profile

Industrial Development and Environmental Status

Sugar factory, distillery, tannery, engineering units, cement industries and

automobile service units are the predominant industries in the district. SIDCO has

established three industrial estates and SIPCOT has established one industrial

complex in the district. In terms of discharge of industrial effluents by the

industries, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has identified three major industries

in red category, viz.

• Tiruchirappalli Distilleries and Chemicals.

• Cauvery Sugars and Chemicals.

• M/s. Adams Chennai Manufacturing Company

Sixty five per cent of India’s power plant equipments are made at

Tiruchirappalli only. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) which is in

Tiruchirappalli is ranking among the leading power plant manufacturers in the



177

world. BHEL was set up in the year of 1963. Cethar Vessels Limited, Ponmali

Railway Workshop, Tiruchirappalli Distilleries & Chemicals Ltd, Tiruchirappalli

Steel Rolling Mills, Dalmia Cements, EID Parry Sugar Factory are some the

factories in Tiruchirappalli adding boost to Tiruchirappalli’s economy.

Economy of the District

Located in a central position in Tamil Nadu, Tiruchirappalli town has been a

trade centre from ancient times. Roman pottery and coins have been excavated in

the vicinity of the city indicating its commercial importance in the ages past.

Woraiyur continues to be an important handloom textile-manufacturing centre.

Mayilam Shandy, the wholesale as well as retail market is famous for its marketing

functions from the days East India Company. The wholesale market namely Gandhi

Market located in the heart of the city is known for jaggery trade.

Industries in the District

Though the district is essentially an agricultural one, several industries big

and small have come up in recent years. There are 682 working factories registered

in the district. Particulars of industries in the district are as follows: The beedi and

cigar industry is very popular in this district. The synthetic gem (Rangoon

Diamond) industry set up here in the 1930 is the biggest trade in terms of the

varieties of synthetic diamonds which are cut, polished and exported: Gold coated

jewellery making and leather tanning are other important local industries.

Modern industry came to Tiruchirappalli town with the establishment of the

railway workshop at Golden Rock in the last decades of the eighteenth century. The

workshop has grown to be the biggest railway workshop in India. The Bharat Heavy



178

Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) a public sector company, manufacturing heavy boilers is a

post-independence addition to the industrial scene. The Small Arms Factory and

HAPP are the other important public sector enterprises which are directly under the

control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India; Kavery Engineering

Works, Tiruchirappalli; Steel Rolling Mills and Tiruchirappalli Distilleries and

Chemicals are important medium scale industries in the private sector. Many

ancillary units have sprung up around these major industries and in the industrial

estates promoted by the Tamil Nadu Government.

The district is ranking second in implementing the State Government

Development Programmes. Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) is one

of the programmes implemented in the district. The programme is intended to help

women Self-Help Groups in the district.

4.4 PROFILE OF BLOCKWISE DETAILS (STUDY AREA)

The investigation is pertaining to five Panchayat Unions of Tiruchirappalli

District, namely, Andanallur, Manachanallur, Lalgudi, Manikandam and

Tiruverumbur.

4.4.1 Andanallur

Andanallur Panchayat Union comprising Andanallur Panchayat and twenty

five village panchayats, is situated in the western part of the district along the

Tiruchirappalli-Karur Road, 8 km away from Tiruchirappalli City Corporation. The

taluk headquarters Srirangam is at a distance of 15 km from Andanallur. This

panchayat union is bordered by Manachanallur, Kulithalai, Manikandam and

Tiruverumbur as shown in Scheme 4.2.



179

Manachanallur

Andanallur

Manikandam

TiruverumburKulithalaiEast West

North

South

Scheme 4.2

Location of Andanallur Panchayat Union

Agriculture is the main occupation of the population in the region. The main

crops grown during 2000-01 are paddy, banana, coconut and sugarcane. Being

situated on the banks of the River Cauvery, there is no scarcity of water throughout

the year. The crops are irrigated by flow irrigation. In addition they are

supplemented by water from private tube-wells. There are 11 commercial banks and

two non-governmental organisations (NGO) rendering supportive services to the

Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

4.4.2 Manachanallur

Manachanallur Panchayat Union includes Manachanallur Panchayat and 33

village panchayats. It is located in the northern part of the district along

the Tiruchirappalli-Thuraiyur Road, 10 km away from the City Corporation

(Scheme 4.3).



180

Alathur

Manachanallur

Andanallur

LalgudiKulithalaiEast West

North

South

Scheme 4.3

Location of Manachanallur Panchayat Union

It has 43 rice-mills and is one of the major rice processing centres in Tamil

Nadu. Manachanallur Panchayat Union gets water for irrigation from three channels

of Cauvery namely Peruvalai, Panguni and Pullambadi. The temples at

Samayapuram, Thiruvallarai and Thiruvasi are ancient and famous. There are also

mosques and churches. It has one of the biggest markets for agricultural

commodities in Tamil Nadu. The supply of water from Mettur Reservoir is a boon

to agricultural sector. The water supply is sufficient for initiating both kuruvai and

samba paddy. In this block, there are cottage industries such as gem cutting industry

and coir industry which are giving employment to people living in the villages.

4.4.3 Lalgudi

Lalgudi Panchayat Union is in the north-east of the district. It is bounded by

Perambalur taluk in the north, river Coleroon in the south. Ariyalur taluk in the east

and Musri taluk in the west.



181

Perambalur

Lalgudi

Tiruverumbur

AriyalurMusiriEast West

North

South

Scheme 4.4

Location of Lalgudi Panchayat Union

The major source of irrigation is the River Cauvery which runs eastward and

forms the southern boundary of Lalgudi. So many canals irrigate as much as 73.78

per cent of the net irrigated area. Paddy, groundnut, banana and sugarcane are major

crops. The agro processing sector has tremendous scope in the district, more

particularly, sugar, banana and milk products.

4.4.4 Manikandam

Manikandam Panchayat Union is one of the 14 blocks in Tiruchirappalli

District. It is situated in Srirangam taluk to the east of Tiruchirappalli City

Corporation, 21 km away from it (Scheme 4.5). It includes apart from Manikandam

Town Panchayat, 21 village panchayats. This block is considered to be in a

backward position in agricultural as well as industrial development. The main crops

of the block are paddy, cholam and banana. The larger portion of the cultivated area

is rainfed.



182

Andanallur

Manikandam

Viralimalai

TiruverumburKulithalai and

Manapparai

East West

North

South

Scheme 4.5

Location of Manikandam Panchayat Union

There is a network of 8 banks (6 commercial banks + 2 cooperative banks)

and one NGO rendering financial support and skill training to the SHGs.

4.4.5 Tiruverumbur

Tiruverumbur block is one of the 14 blocks in Tiruchirappalli District. It is

situated on the southern bank of the River Cauvery. Andanallur and Manikandam

are on the western and northern side. The southern boundary is formed by

Kunnandar Kovil Block in Pudukkottai District. The eastern boundary is formed by

the Buddalur block in Thanjavur District. The headquarters of the Tiruverumbur

Block is 12 km away from Tiruchirappalli town on Tiruchirappalli-Thanjavur main

road. This block with 339.88 sq. km geographical area consists of 49 revenue

villages and 24 village panchayats.



183

Manikandam

Tiruverumbur

Kunnandar Koil

BuddalurAnthanallurEast West

North

South

Scheme 4.6

Location of Tiruverumbur Panchayat Union

The highlights of the five Panchayat Unions are furnished in Table-4.7.

Chapter - IV



184

Table-4.7

Highlights of the Five Panch

ayat Unions

S.№

Particulars

Andanallur

Manach

anallur

Lalgudi

Manikandam

Tiruverumbur

1.

Tota

l G

eogra

phic

al a

rea

(hect

are

) 14401

37149

15431

21414

33988

2.

Tota

l Popula

tion

85431

144625

132462

109486

726019

Mal

e 43254

72452

66342

54975

364295

Fem

ale

42177

72233

66120

54511

3642724

3.

Liter

ate

s:

Mal

e 29498

48841

46148

42185

22175

Fem

ale

19592

32645

33056

18121

18192

4.

№. Pan

chay

at

25

37

43

22

12

5.

Agricu

ltura

l Laboure

rs

15489

24252

23383

12025

18216

6.

Non-a

gricultura

l la

boure

rs

9277

16066

8740

12943

1500

7.

Tota

l №

. R

esid

ential

House

s 19042

20248

19233

16315

8.

Tota

l №

. H

ouse

hold

19075

20791

19271

20175

9.

Tota

l №

. Sch

edule

d c

aste

s

21144

28065

28951

17743

21357

10.

Tota

l №

Sch

edule

d tribes

17

106

122

195

22

11.

Tota

l №

Reven

ue

Villa

ges

33

46

33

33

29

12.

Net

are

a so

wn (hec

tare

) 7206

16029

15431

7497

4075

13.

Gro

ss a

rea

sow

n (hec

tare

) 7961

17816

18687

8074

13988

14.

Net

are

a irrigat

ed (hect

are

) 6540

6513

16461

6877

5970

15.

Gro

ss a

rea

irrigat

ed (hec

tare

) 6753

8300

9128

6931

5970

Chapter - IV



185

S.№

Particulars

Andanallur

Manach

anallur

Lalgudi

Manikandam

Tiruverumbur

16.

Tota

l №

wel

ls

426

5427

4982

1317

573

17.

Tota

l №

liv

esto

ck

56945

108790

129786

95224

18418

18.

Tota

l №

poultry

85206

49747

68464

34788

15

19.

№ C

om

merc

ial Banks

9

12

12

6

8

20.

№ P

olice

Sta

tions

2

4

4

6

10

21.

№ P

rim

ary H

ealth C

entres

3

6

10

2

23

22.

№ P

ost

Offic

es

10

38

36

26

12

23.

№ P

re-p

rim

ary

Sch

ools

18

12

22

36

69

24.

№ P

rim

ary S

chools

53

89

98

66

26

25.

№ M

iddle

Sch

ools

21

15

31

22

24

26.

№ H

igh S

chools

18

8

12

1

4

27.

№ H

igher

Sec

ondar

y Sch

ools

3

6

8

2

14

28.

№ S

tuden

ts in a

ll inst

itutions

26713

33058

35678

17366

18166

29.

Tota

l №

Tea

cher

s in

all inst

itutions

645

986

1012

595

612

30.

Norm

al R

ainfa

ll (m

m)

780

924

10.1

5

963

920

31.

Dis

tric

t C

oopera

tive

Ban

ks

–

2

1

2

10

32.

Prim

ary

and D

evel

opm

ent B

anks

–

–

1

–

2

Source: D

epartm

ent of Sta

tistic

s, C

ollec

tora

te, Tiruch

irappal

li.

Documents

PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA - Shodhgangashodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/5063/13/13_chapter 4.pdf · physiographic divisions of the Kurinji or mountainous region, the Mullai