CHAPTER III PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA 3.1 General Knowledge about the socio-economic profile of the study area facilitates proper understanding of the region. The employment and income level of farmers depend on farming in any region which in turn depends upon the agro-climatic factors such as soil, topography, rainfall, irrigation and other socio-economic and institutional factors prevailing in that region. A brief description of the profile of the study area namely Kalkulam taluk in Kanyakumari District is presented in this chapter. 3.2 District Profile Kanyakumari is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is also sometimes referred to as Cape Comorin. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, it is the geographical end of the Indian mainland. The district in Tamil Nadu where the town is located is called Kanyakumari District. Kanyakumari District is the smallest district in the Southern most part of the State of Tamil Nadu.
3.2.1 Kanyakumari District Kanyakumari district is named after the goddess KANYAKUMARI. It is the smallest district in Tamil Nadu. Even though it is the smallest in terms of area (1672sq.kms), the density of population is the highest in Tamil Nadu next to Chennai. In literacy it stands first. This small district is famous on its vast green stretches of paddy fields, banana fields, coconut groves, rubber gardens and luxurious forests, sea shore and the western Ghat. The area comprising of the present Kanniakumari district was a part of the erstwhile Travancore state before it merger with the state of Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari District was formed on 1 st November 1956, with Nagercoil as its head quarter. It comprises of four taluks namely Agasteeswaram, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode. 3.2.3 Location Kanyakumari is the southern most district of Tamil Nadu. The district lies between 77 o 15 ' and 77 o 36 ' of the eastern longitudes and 8 o 03 ' and 8 o 35 ' of the northern Latitudes. The District is bound by Tirunelveli District on the North and the east. The South Eastern boundary is the Gulf of Mannar. On the South and the South West, the boundaries are the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. On the West and North West it is bound by Kerala. The district is bifurcated into two revenue Divisions namely, Padmanabhapuram and Nagercoil having the headquarters at Thuckalai and 77
Nagercoil respectively. There are four Taluks, Viz., Vilavancode, Kalkulam, Agasteeswaram and Thovalai. This district owns four Municipalities i.e, Nagercoil, Padmanabhapuram, Colachel and Kuzhithurai and nine development blocks. Six blocks namely Melpuram, Munchirai, Killiyoor, Thiruvattar, Thuckalay and Kuruthencode form a part of Padmanabhapuram Development Division and the remaining three Agasteeswaram, Rajakkamangalam and Thovalai come under Nagercoil Development Divisions. There are 56 town panchayats in this district whereas there are only 631 town panchayats throughout the State. 3.2.4 People and Culture The people are the human resource of the District. Their culture, religion, aptitude, habits, beliefs, talents etc have a bearing on how the district presents itself to others. Tamil and Malayalam are the main languages of this district. Hindus and Christians form a sizeable percentage of the population of the district and there are a number of Muslim dominated belts in the district. Rice is the staple food of the rich and the poor alike in the district. Some among the poorer section also use tapioca. Beverages like tea and coffee are widely spread even in the rural area of the district. 78
Thiruvattar Kurunthancode Thuckalay 3.1 Study Area 79
3.2.5 Area and Population The following table explains the area, population, literates, SC/ST and sexwise of the blocks and municipalities in Kanyakumari district. Table: 3.1 AREA, POPULATION, LITERATES IN BLOCKS AND MUNICIPALITIES Sl. No Name of the Blocks/ Municipalities Area (sq.km) Population Literate Persons Male Female Persons Male Female 1. Agastheswaram 133.12 148419 73260 75159 118778 60120 58658 2 Rajakkamangalam 120.16 137254 68119 69135 108539 55337 53202 3. Thovalai 369.07 110719 55057 55662 85132 44101 41031 4. Kurunthancode 106.85 165070 81823 83247 126882 64369 62513 5 Thuckalay 130.33 167262 82488 84774 131428 66461 64967 6 Thiruvattar 344.8 161619 80220 81399 122710 62524 60186 7 Killiyoor 82.7 156387 78663 77724 119931 62173 57758 8. Munchiri 72.01 177225 89122 88103 131461 68366 63095 9 Melpuram 271.89 179535 88578 90957 137211 70560 66651 10. Nagercoil Municipality 24.27 208179 102907 105272 175248 88590 86558 11 Padmanabapuram 6.47 20075 9967 10108 16282 8372 7910 12 Colachel 5.18 23787 11996 11791 18008 9275 8733 13 Kuzhithurai 5.15 20503 10069 10434 16712 8419 8293 Total 1672 1676034 832269 843765 1308322 668667 639655 Source: Census of India 2001 80
3.2.6 Education Kanyakumari District is one of the 100 per cent literate districts of India. The total number of educational institutions is 925. The various statistics regarding educational institutions in Kanyakumari District are listed in Table 3.2. TABLE: 3.2 EDUATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT Sl. No. Schools and Colleges No. of Institutions 1. Arts & Science College 16 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. B.Ed., Colleges Medical colleges i) Allopathu ii) Indian Medicine iii) Homeopathy Engineering Colleges College for Special Education Pre-Primary Schools Primary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Higher Secondary Schools Teacher Training Institutes 1 1 1 2 7 8 83 413 147 120 122 Total 925 Source: Assistant Director of Statistics, District Profile, District Statistical Office, Nagercoil, 2008-09. 4 81
Classification of Workers 3.2.7 Classification of the Industrial and Agricultural Workers Total main workers of the district are 4,54,378 and marginal workers are 93,678. Total workers constitute cultivators, agricultural labourers, households, industrial workers and other workers. 2.45 per cent are cultivators and 10.36 per cent are agricultural labourers. Table 3.3 shows industrial and agricultural the classification of workers. TABLE: 3.3 CLASSIFICATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS (Year 2008-09) District Tamil Nadu Sl. Industrial Category % to % to No. Persons Total Workers Persons Total Workers 1. Total Main Workers 4,54,378 82.91 2,37,57,783 85.22 2. Marginal Workers 93,678 17.09 41,20,499 14.78 3. Total Workers 5,48,056 32.70 2,78,78,282 44.67 a. Cultivators 13,434 2.45 51,16,039 18.35 b. Agricultural Labourers 56,811 10.36 86,37,630 30.98 Household Industry, Manufacturing Processing, Servicing and Repair 23,922 4.37 14,99,761 5.38 c. Other Works 3,60,211 65.72 1,26,24,852 45.29 Total Non-workers 11,27,978-3,45,27,397 - Total Population 16,76,034-6,24,05,679 - Source: Census of India, 2001. 82
3.2.8 Scheduled Castes and Tribes Out of the total population of Kanyakumari District 4.60 per cent are Scheduled Castes and 0.31 per cent are Scheduled Tribes. Table 3.4 gives a detailed listing of the population of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the various blocks and municipalities of Kanyakumari District. Sl. No TABLE: 3.4 SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULE TRIBES IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT Name of the Blocks/ Schedule Caste Schedule Tribes Municipalities Persons Male Female Persons Male Female 1. Agastheswaram 12797 6246 6551 521 247 274 2 Rajakkamangalam 6279 3062 3217 18 10 8 3. Thovalai 12381 6188 6193 690 360 330 4. Kurunthancode 5400 2678 2722 323 166 157 5 Thuckalay 5054 2485 2569 81 36 45 6 Thiruvattar 3449 1736 1713 2597 1275 1322 7 Killiyoor 2412 1208 1204 57 28 29 8. Munchiri 4756 2306 2450 205 98 107 9 Melpuram 4483 2147 2336 523 255 268 10. Nagercoil Municipality 7084 3504 3580 370 177 193 11 Padmanabapuram 2112 1050 1062 7 1 6 12 Colachel 1164 594 570 24 12 12 13 Kuzhithurai 341 161 180 27 13 14 Total 67712 33365 34347 5443 2678 2765 Source: Census of India 2001 83
3.2.9 Health and Medicine Kanyakumari District is blessed with good medical and health facilities, with a number of hospitals, Health Care Institutions, Primary Health Centres and other such institutions. Table 3.5 gives all the relevant information. TABLE: 3.5 STATISTICS ON HEALTH AND MEDICINE IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT (in number) Sl. No. Particulars Modern Medicine Indian Medicine Homeopathy 1. Hospitals including T.B. Hospital 12 10 2 2. Dispensaries 1 3 0 3. Primary Health Centers 30 15 0 4. Health Sub-Centers 267 0 0 5. Other Medical Institutions 0 0 0 6. Beds in Hospitals and Dispensaries 1198 16 0 7. Total Number of Doctors 99 28 2 8. Total number of Nurses 486 0 0 9. Medial College 1 0 0 Source: Assistant Director of Statistics, District Profile, District Statistical Office, Nagercoil, 2008-09. 84
3.2.8 Soil Condition Soil in the district is mostly of red loam variety. In the seacoast sandy type of soil prevails and near the mountain regions gravel soil is generally seen. In the low lands 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. The soil fertility is given in terms of the content of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash. The soil in most of the blocks has low content of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash, while the soil in Killiyoor and Agesteeswaram blocks contains medium content of potash. The ph value of the soil generally ranges from 4.5 to 8.0. Different categories of soil and the suitability of crops are shown in the Table 3.6. 85
TABLE: 3.6 TYPES OF SOIL AND SUITABILITY OF CROPS IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT Sl. No. Soil Type Crops Grown Irrigated 1. Type Tropopsamments - 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Lithic Ustrothents Lithic Troporthents Paralithic Troporthents Typic Troporthents Typic Ustropepts Typic Eutropepts Typic Dystropepts Fluventic Dystropepts Udic Haplustalfs Udic Rhodustalfs Udic Hapludalfs Typic Tropudalfs Aquie Tropudalfs Aquire Hapludalfs Typic Udipsamments - Banana Banana Cole crops Flower and Cole crops Cole crops Paddy - Paddy Cole crops Paddy Paddy Paddy Paddy - Rainfed Coconut Orchard crops Rubber Rubber Orchard crops Tapioca Rubber Tapioca Coconut Pulses Cashew Pulses Pulses - - Coconut Source: Soil Atlas of Kanyakumari District, Soil Testing Laboratory, Nagercoil, 2008-09. 3.2.9 Climate and Rainfall The District has a favourable agro-climatic condition, which is suitable for growing a number of crops. The proximity of 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 86
the first crop season in Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks. This shows that there is distinct variation in the climatic conditions prevailing within the district. Unlike other district 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 temperature details are given in Table 3.7. TABLE: 3.7 DETAILS OF TEMPERATURE IN KANYAKUMARI DSITRICT (in 0 Celsius) Month January 2009 February March April May June July August September October November December Maximum Temperature Minimum Temperature Normal Actual Normal Actual 30.5 31.9 23.6 24.2 31.5 32.0 32.6 32.4 30.7 30.3 30.4 30.6 30.4 30.2 30.0 31.9 33.1 33.5 32.8 30.1 30.7 31.7 30.8 31.3 30.4 31.3 23.7 24.8 25.9 25.9 24.4 23.4 23.8 24.1 24.0 23.8 23.8 24.2 25.6 26.6 26.5 24.7 23.9 24.8 24.4 24.6 24.2 24.6 Average 30.97 24.27 Source: Soil Atlas of Kanyakumari District, Soil Testing Laboratory, Nagercoil, 2008-09. 87
A systematic recording of rainfall in Kanyakumari district was started as early as 1855. Now there are 37 stations to record the rainfall. Out of these 37 stations, 32 are functioning while five are not. The details are given in Table 3.8. TABLE: 3.8 TALUK WISE DENSITY OF RAINGUAGE STATIONS IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT District / Taluk Kanyakumari Agasteeswaram Thovalai Kalkulam Vilavancode Area in sq.km. 6542 1022 637 3444 1439 No. of Rainguage Stations 32 6 5 15 6 Density in sq. km. 52.25 46.23 73.22 39.77 71.95 Source: Live Register, Assistant Director of Statistics, District Statistical Office, Nagercoil, 2008-09. In the hill region the rainfall is uniformly distributed through the monsoons and the maximum rainfall is seen during the months of October and November. The coastal regions receive the maximum rainfall during the northeast monsoon followed by the southwest monsoon periods. On the whole, Kanyakumari District has an overall rainfall of 1369.9 mm. 3.2.10 Cropping Pattern This district produces paddy, tapioca and oilseeds such as groundnut and coconut besides commercial crops like cashew, rubber, fruits and spices. The important feature of this district is the production of off season mangoes. 88
Paddy is the main crop of this district. It is grown in two seasons. First crop is sown in the month of April-June (Kannipoo) and second crop is raised in the month of September-October (Kumba poo). Tapioca is raised as a subsidiary food crop in this district. The main planting season is April-May. In some pockets, September-October planting is also done as second season crop. It is purely raised as rainfed crop in Kalkulam and Vilvancode taluks and as irrigated crop in some area of Agastheeswaram taluk of this district. Coconut is an important cash crop of this district. The main planting season is May to July. Pulses are raised in rice-fallow and as intercrop in Tapioca. The important pulses are blackgram, greengram, horsegram, cowpea and redgram. In the months of April-May and September-October pulses are grown as intercrop with Tapioca. In the months of February- March pulses are raised as pure crop in rice-fallows. Vegetables are cultivated during January-February and July-August. Vegetable is also grown as 3rd crop after the harvest of 2nd crop paddy in some pockets of this district. Banana is cultivated mainly during March-May and September-October. Groundnut is raised during March-April and October-November as rainfed crop in small extent. In addition, pepper, cloves, arecanut, betelvine, cocoa, gingelly, ginger, turmeric, arrowroot etc. are also grown in this district. 89
The existing physical and technical factors have permitted to grow a variety of crops in the study area. The cultivable crops can be broadly classified into the following heads as given in Table 3.9. TABLE: 3.9 CROPPING PATTERN Sl. No. Crops Cultivated Area in HA % to the Cross Cropped Area 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Paddy Pulses Spices and Condiments Sugar Crops Banana Other Fruits and Vegetables Coconut Other Food Oil Crops Non-food Oil Crops Medicinal Crops Manure Crops Flowers Grove Verities Rubber Other Verities 18,186.915 576.320 3,937.71 143.685 12,284.425 5,974.000 25,074.319 20.000 198.233 538.955 943.490 163.760 225.185 20,497.967 23.315 20.48 0.65 4.43 0.16 13.84 6.73 28.24 0.02 0.22 0.61 1.06 0.18 0.25 23.09 0.03 Total 88,788.28 100.00 Source: G Return, District Statistical Office. Nagercoil, 2009. The gross cropped area during 2008-09 in Kanyakumari District is 88,788.28 hectares. Of the gross cropped area 20.48 per cent is used for the 90
cultivation of paddy, 28.24 for coconut, 23.09 per cent for rubber and 13.84 per cent for banana and other fruits and vegetables is cultivated in an area of 6.73 per cent. Thus it is revealed that next to paddy banana cultivation occupies an important place in the study area. 3.2.11 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. 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 season and to extend required water for the successful cultivation of crops. Irrigation projects may be in the form of surface flow, or ground water. Surface flow irrigation covers rivers, canals, tanks, springs and others. The ground water is confined to the exploitation of under ground water through wells. This is given in Table 3.9. The surface irrigation is the major source in the district. Nearly 97.90 per cent of the total irrigated area is covered by the surface flow irrigation sources and the remaining 2.10 per cent by ground water irrigation sources. 91
TABLE 3.10 AREA IRRIGATED BY DIFFERENT SOURCES IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT Sl. No. Name of the Source Gross Area Irrigated in HA A Surface Flow Irrigation B 1. Canals 2. Tanks Sub-Total Ground Water Irrigation 1. Tube Wells 2. Dug Wells 3. Others Sub-Total 13,436.69 22,427.1 35,863.79 201.21 417.87 151.41 770.49 Percentage 36.68 61.22 97.90 0.55 1.14 0.41 2.10 Total Area Irrigated 36,634.28 100.00 Source: G Return, District Statistical Office. Nagercoil, 2009. The second irrigation commission classified the irrigation projects into three categories on the basis of their cultivable command area, or the total area irrigated by the projects. They are major irrigation projects, medium irrigation projects and minor irrigation projects. This is shown in Table 3.11. 92
TABLE: 3.11 MAJOR IRRIGATION PROJECTS Sl. No. Name of the Project Estimated Cultivable Command Area in HA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. A. Major Irrigation Projects Kodayar Project Chittar-Pattanamkal Project B. Medium Irrigation Projects Neyyar Irrigation Project C. Minor Irrigation Project Arruvikkarai Weir System Thirpparappu Weir System Vilathur Lift Irrigation Project Major and Minor Irrigation Tanks Different Forms of Well Other sources 25,900 12,950 3,723 266 358 284 13,115 645 340 Source: Season and Crop Report of Tamil Nadu (Various Issues). 3.2.12 Agriculture Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Kanyakumari District. Total number of cultivators is 16,067 and the agricultural labourers are 81,999. Total area cultivated in 2008-09 is 94,374 hectares and the net area sown is 79,048.93 hectares. Area sown more than once is 9,416.95 hectares. The land use pattern in Kanyakumari District is given in Table 3.12. 93
Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. TABLE: 3.12 LAND USE PATTERN IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT (2008-09) Forests Particulars Barren and Uncultivable Land Land out to non-agricultural Uses Cultivable Waste Permanent Pastures Land and Miscellaneous Trees and Groves Fallow Land Net sown Area Area sown more than Once Kurunth ancode 813.280 131.705 2418.831 - - 89.735 6.000 7743.449 1257.910 (Area in Hectares) Thuckalay Thiruvattar District Total 290.704 3.000 4772.030 709.620 3171.890 - - 11.700 9.344 9486.742 567.824 240.735 2068.688 - - 88.492 10.415 12318.085 4.01 Source: Assistant Director of Statistics, District Profile, District Statistical Office, Nagercoil, 2008-09. 4000.831 28398.884 118.090 103.600 719.040 191.939 79048.993 9416.952 Area under forests represents both government and private lands covered by forests. In Kanyakumari District 4772.030 hectares of the total area are occupied forests. The barren and uncultivable land comprises the land under mountains and deserts. Such lands are not fit for cultivation purposes. There are 4,000.831 hectares of the total land has been identified as barren and uncultivable in the study area. Land not used for agricultural uses covers the lands used for buildings, roads, railways, the area covered by water and other similar purposes and this accounts for 28,398.884 hectares. Cultivable land that remains as waste refers to 94
the land which is available for cultivation but not cultivated during the current year or the previous five years or more. Only 118.090 hectares of land accounts for this cultivable waste. Fallow land consists of fallow lands that are not currently cultivated and other fallow lands. Current fallows are the cultivable lands which are kept fallow after the harvest. This accounts for 191.939 hectares. Net area sown is the area cropped at least in an agricultural year. In the study area, this accounts for 79,048.993 hectares to the total geographical area in the year 2008-09. Thus the highest priority has been given to the net area sown in this district. 3.2.13 Roadways The network of roadways of a country is as essential as the arterial system to the human body. The roads in a big way facilitate advancement in the economy of a country and they simultaneously facilitate communication. In the matter of surface transport, they are almost equal to the railways which connect other parts of the country through its large railway network system. These two transports are not parallel but inter-dependent. The Chennai-Kanyakumari Highway joins the Kanyakumari-Trivandrum road near Aralvoimozhi which passes through Nagercoil touching other important places and terminates at Trivandrum in Kerala State covering a distance of 62.4 km. from Aralvoimozhi to Kerala border. The views on either side of this road can never fail to attract the travelers. 95
3.2.14 Coastal Environment The coastal environment is an interface between land and marine water. This ecosystem is valuable to humans from the dawn of civilisation. Human, biological and social needs are readily met by coastal zone. It has been estimated that by 2000 A.D., 75 per cent of the population of the world will be living in the coastal zone. This is also true in other developing maritime countries. Coastal ecosystem is under threat due to anthropogenic activities, increased human settlement, industrial pollution, etc. 3.2.15 Kanyakumari District and Its Coast Kanyakumari, the smallest District in Tamil Nadu, with a land spread of 1,684 sq. Km. has almost all ecosystem-forests, wetlands, freshwater resources, marine etc. Agricultural resources like plantation crops (Spices, rubber), banana, coconut, paddy, etc. are also produced. Among all this, coastal environment is very important with respect to fish production and fisher folk's employment. The coastal ecosystem of this District comprises 68 Km in length and is studded with 44 coastal fishing villages. Since this District is situated at the extreme south of the Indian subcontinent, the coastline is formed nearly by three seas, namely, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. But the main part of the coast faces the Arabian Sea. 96
3.2.16 Forest The forest in Kanyakumari District is verdant and virgin Forests are said to be of 75 million years old. Of the total district area of 167130 hectares. Government Forests occupy an area of 50486 Hectares which comes to about 30.2 % the total District geographic area. The forests of Kanyakumari District was transferred from Kerala to Tamil Nadu on 1 st November 1956 as a result of the State re-organization. The Forests of this Divisions ie. Boothapandy Mahendragiri R.F. etc. were previously managed by the District Forest Officer, Tirunelveli South Division with Head quarters at Tirunelveli. Consequent on the formation of Kalakad and Mundathurari sanctuary, Kanyakumari Division was formed exclusively to manage the forests of Kanyakumari District with Head quarters at Nagercoil from 01.04.1977 as per G.O.Ms.No. 261 dated 26.03.1977. There are 14 types of forests from luxuriant tropical wet evergreen to tropical thorn forests occur in this District because of diverse locality factors, (according to Champion and Seths classification) Rainfall varies from 103 cm to 310 cm elevation from sea level to 1829 m. The forest area is 30.2 per cent of total district geographical area which is next to Nilgiris district with 59 per cent and Dharmapuri District with 38 per cent in the State. The District is having 52 per cent of its forests as dense forests coming only second to Dharmapuri District with 58 per cent. 97
The forests consist of soaring and lofty trees of Mesua ferrea, Bischofia Javanica, Vitex altissima to smaller trees of Dillini a species festooning climber, shrubs valuable herbs, variety of orchids, two types canes many indigenous palms and cycas. The important timbers are Teak, Rosewood, Vengai and Aini and this District is worth mentioning here for the easy availability and quality of the above timbers. Various types of forest produces like bamboos, reeds, canes soft wood, tamarind, lemon grass, rubber, coconut, Arecanut, Kadukai, Cinna momum bark, Nelli, Cardamom, Mango and many medicinal plants of High value are harvested in this District. The Maruthuvalmalai located among green paddy fields and fluttering coconut palms is famous for valuable medicinal plants. This is the only District in Tamil Nadu, where rubber and clove plantations have been raised in Reserve Forests in an area of 4785.70 hectares and 110 hectares respectively. The District is rich in wildlife with at least 25 types of mammals, about 60 species of birds including 14 species of migratory birds and many species of fishes, reptiles and amphibians listed. In short, these forests are a veritable trove of biological diversion. From Tourism angle, the Forests are highly enhancing with pleasant sholas hill top forests, beautiful grass lands, panoramic valleys, top hillocks, singing streams, vast stretches of rubber plantations valuable teak plantations and excellent climate. No body should miss seeing Mahendragiri, Maramalai, Sea field and Balamore estate area, Ecology farm, Kalikesam, Pechiparai Dam, Perunchani Dam, Upper Kodayar, Maruthamparai and Mukkudal areas for their 98
scenic beauty. All areas in forests are worth seeing in Kanyakumari District only. Various types of forests in Kanyakumari District are given in Table 3.13. TABLE: 3.13 VARIOUS TYPES OF FORESTS IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Types of Forests Southern hill top tropical evergreen forest West vast semi evergreen forest Southern moist and teak forest Southern moist mixed deciduous forest Southern dry mixed deciduous forest Dry savannah forest Southern thorn forest Erratic umbrella thorn forest Southern sub-tropical hill forest Ochlandra reed brakes Source: Soil Atlas of Kanyakumari Dsitrict, Soil Testing Laboratory, Nagercoil, 2008-09. 3.3 Kalkulam Taluk The Kalkulam taluk covers three blocks namely, Kurunthancode, Thiruvattar and Thuckalay. All the blocks are directly linked with every nook and corner of the district by means of a very good net work of roads. 99
3.3.1 Kurunthancode Block A short description of Kurunthancode block is presented in this subdivision. The Kurunthancode block is situated in the south-west of the Kanyakumari District. This block is surrounded in the West and the North by the Munchirai block. Killiyoor block, Thuckalay block and Tiruvattar block, the East by Rajakkamangalam block and the South by the Kerala state. This block consists of 15 revenue villages. This block has a total area of 106.85 sq. kilometers. As per the 2001 census, the population of this block was 1,65,070 out of which the male population was 81,823 and the female population 83,247. The number of SC/ST was 5,723, which was 3.47 percent of the total population. The number of females per 1000 males is 1100. The climate is pleasant from September to December. During summer that is April to June it is hot. There are 20 primary schools, eight middle schools, eight high schools, five higher secondary schools, two matriculation higher secondary schools, two colleges and one ITI. This block has a coir making, ice manufacturing and mineral water processing industries which all come under small-scale industries. Occupational pattern shows that the total number of cultivators is 11,157. Agricultural labourers (15,905) constitute 43.76 percent of the total work force. There are 7,759 male agricultural workers and 8,146 female ones. The total 100
numbers of workers in cottage and household industries are 1,287, which contribute only 3.54 percent of the total work force in the block. There are 391 male and 896 female workers in this category. Workers in other industries are 1,147. The numbers of male and female workers are 105 and 1,042 respectively. They form 3.16 percent of the total work force. Other workers are 6,048 or 16.64 percent of the total work force. The main crops cultivated in the block are paddy, banana, tapioca, rubber, coconut, vegetables and fruits. Kurunthancode block has few infrastructure facilities and the cultivators mainly rely on the channel. The net area sown in this block is 3,851 hectares. Current fallow and other fallow lands account for 2,761 hectares. The area under barren and uncultivated land is 549 hectares. In this block all the 15 villages, 150 hamlets and four towns are electrified. There are 1,686 tube lights and 29 sodium vapours in the streets. 3.3.2 Thuckalay Block Thuckalay block is located on the North East of Thiruvattar and surrounded by Kurunthancode block, Killiyoor block and Munchirai block. There are sixteen revenue villages, seventeen village panchayats and a town panchayats in this block. This block has a total area of 130.33 sq. kilometers. As per the 2001 census, the population of this block was 1,67,262 out of which the male population was 82,488 and the female population 84,774. The total number of literates is 1,31,428 out of which, 66,461 are male and 64,967 female. 101
The total number of work force in the block is 22,287 persons out of which 14,764 are male workers and 7,523 female workers. The percentage of workforce of the total population is 30.91. There are no medium or large-scale industries in this block. Occupational pattern shows that the total number of cultivators is 3,108. Agricultural labourers (5,085) constitute only 22.82 percent of the total work force. There are 4,184 male agricultural workers and 901 female agricultural workers. The total number of workers in the household industries manufacturing factory is 8,675 which contribute 38.92 percent of the total work force in the block. There are 5,905 male and 2,770 female workers in this category. Marginal workers are 2,824. The numbers of male and female workers are 138 and 2,686 respectively. They form 12.97 percent of the total work force. Other workers are 2,595 or 11.64 percent of the total work force. The main crops cultivated in the block are paddy, coconut, banana, tapioca and rubber. In Thuckalay block, the cultivators mainly rely on tanks and canals. The net area sown in this block is 4,022 hectares. Current fallow and other fallow lands account for 3,566 hectares. The area of barren and uncultivated land is 284 hectares. The forest land occupies 5,080 hectares. 3.3.3 Thiruvattar Block A short description of Thiruvattar block is presented in this subdivision. Thiruvattar block is located almost on the northern side of the district. On the 102
northern side, the Kerala state is situated. Thovalai block lies on the eastern side. Munchirai, Thackalay and Kurunthancode blocks are the southern boundary of this block. To its southern side, Melpuram block is situated. There are 31 village panchayats in this block. With regard to education, there are eight pre-primary schools, 17 primary schools, 14 middle schools, five high schools, eight higher secondary schools, an Engineering college, a Teachers Training College, a polytechnic and an Art and Industrial School. This block has a total area of 344.8 Sq. kilometers. As per the 2001 census, the population of this block was 1,61,619 out of which the male population was 80,220 and the female population 81,399. The number of females per 1000 males is 910. The main crops cultivated in the block are paddy, banana, tapioca, coconut and rubber. The Thiruvattar block has few infrastructure facilities and the cultivators mainly rely on the channel. The net area sown in this block is 7,761 hectares. Current fallow and other fallow lands account for 3,843 hectares. The area under barren and uncultivated land is 100 hectares. The forest land occupies 88 hectares. 3.4 An Overview Kanyakumari District is an agrarian society with a high density of population and 100 per cent literacy rate. Some of the notable features of this 103
district are the high mountain ranges, perennial river barins and picturesque sea coast. It is seen that the climate, soil, temperature, rainfall and moisture content prevailing here are suitable for the cultivation of banana. Thus this detailed analysis on the area profile of Kanyakumari District and Kalkulam Taluk proves that it has had a greater positive effect on the continuous growth of banana cultivation for quite a long period of time and the same is expected for the future also. 104