CHAPTER IV

PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA: THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT

Thoothukudi is a special grade Municipal town and headquarters of newly formed

Thoothukudi District and facing 'Gulf of Mannar' (Bay of Bengal) at the eastern side.

"The Government of Tamilnadu in their G.0.Ms.No. 535/Revenue Department

dated 23.04.1986 have ordered the formations of a new district viz., Thoothukudi

District, which is named after the freedom fighter Shri. V.0. Chidambaram Pillai, who

was born in this district. Thoothukudi District was inaugurated on 19.10.1986 by the

Chief. Minister of Tamilnadu and started functioning as the 201h District with effect from

20.10.1986 with at Tuticorin".

In the history of India's freedom struggle Thoothukudi District enjoys an unique

place. It was Veerapandia Kattabomman the Pelingal of Panchalankurichi waged a bitter

fight against East India Company, V.0. Chidambaram PilIai, a man of immense courage

plunged himself in to the Swadeshi movement and launched the movement of boycott of

the British goods and had the guts to take in the British when he launched his Swadeshi

steam company. Nobody would forget the fiery Bard Subramaniabharathi who in the

history of Tamil Poetry has left such an indeliblement. Another illustrious freedom

fighter from Chidambamar District was Subramania Siva who was a close associate of

V.0. Chidambaram Pillai one of the musical trinities Sr. Muthusamy Dikshitar as well as

the poet Umarupulavar were born at Ettayapuram in this District.

59

THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT

rousT cENTh?-S

RAMNAD DISTRICT

VIRUDH1JNAGAR 0

Pudur

DISTRICT

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Kovilpatli

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Vilaihikularn

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) P .rA\c1Q.tc\ ,O!tapidaratn Fo2?,/'

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flRLVELITuticori.':DISTRICT

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GULF OF MANN AR

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Taluk

Block

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4e.

The district covers an extent of 4621 sq.km in the Eastern portion of Tamilnadu

and it is rectangular in shape. It is bounded by Kamaraja and Ramanthapurani districts in

the north, Kanyakumari district in the South, Gulf of Mannar in the east, and Thirunelveli

district in the west.

POPULATION

The district has an area of -4635 sq.km and the total population of this district as

2001census is 1565743. The density of population per sq.km is 315 as against 428 for

the state. The sex ratio is 1049 females for every 1000 males. The percentage of literacy

is 72%. Out of the total population of 1565743 in the district 903811 live in rural areas.

The district has got a schedule caste population of 250071 which represents 17% of the

total population. Schedule tribes are also found in small members in this district. The

total number of schedule tribes is 3174 which represents 0.21 of the total population.

The population of Thoothukudi town is related from 28048 in the year 1901 to

1565743 in the year 2001. The growth of population for each decade from 1901 to 2001

is given in the following table.

60

Table 13

POPULATION OF THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT SINCE 1901

Year Population Variation

% of Variation

1901 28048 -

1911 40185 12137

43.27

1921 44522 4337

10.79

1931 60395 15873

35.65

1941 75614 15219

25.20

1951 98816 23252

30.75

1961 124310 25364

25.65

1971 155310 3100

1981 192949 37639

24.23

1991 1455920 1262971

654.56

2001 1565743 109823

7.54

Source: Perspective plan of Thoothukudi Municipality, 2001

This was one of the urban towns in the state that had a population of above

15 lakhs.

Density of Population

The density of population has increased from 73 hectare to 1162 hectare during

the period from 1951 to 2001. The density of population of Thoothukudi town is given in

the following table.

61

Table 1.4

DENSITY OF POPULATION OF THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT

Year Area in I Population Density ofHectare Person/hectare

1951 1347 98816 73

1961 1347 124230 92

1971 1347 156310 116

1981 1347 192949 143

1991 1347 1455920 1080

2001 1347 1565743 1162

Source: Perspective plan of Thoothukudi Municipality, 2001.

Administrative Set up

Chidambaranar District

Head quarters - Thoothukudi

Revenue Divisions

Thoothukudi - Kovilpatti - Tiruchendur

TALUK

1. Thoothukudi

2. Tiruchendur

3. Sattankulam

4. Srivaikuntam

5. Kovilpatti

6. Ottapidaram

7. Vilathikulam

62

BLOCKS

1. Thoothukudi

2. Aiwarthiunagari

3. Tiruchendur

4. Udangudi

5. Sattankulam

6. Srivaikuntam

7. Karunkulam

8. Kovilpatti

9. Ottapidaram

10. Kayathar

11. Pudukottai

12. Vilathikulam

This district has three revenue divisions, seven taluks, 12 development blocks as

shown above.

Further the district has 20 panchayats, 2 municipalities and 465 revenue villages.

The district could be termed as industrially advanced with a majority of the industry

located in and around Thoothukudi.

The Municipality consist of Revenue villages, namely, Meelavittan, Thoothukudi

and Sankaraperi with a total extent of 13.47 sq.km . It is also located south east of'

Tirunelveli at distance of 52 km and 133 km from Madurai. This town with a population

of 1565743 (as per 2001 census) is an ancient one with sound Historic backgrounds and

having scope towards east".

63

GEOLOGY

Being a hinter town most of the land has sady surface. The southern part of the

town has gravel soil. A channel is running through the town towards east and has

confluenced with the sea.

Table 1.5

LAND UTILISATION

[AREA IN HECTARES (YEAR 1998-99)1

Sl.No. Classification I Thoothukudi

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Forest

Barren & Uncultivable uses

Land put to Non agricultural uses

Uncultivable waste

Permanent pastures and other grazing land

Land under miscellaneous Tree crops and Grocer notincluded in net area sown

Current fallows

Other fallows of land

Net area sown

Geographical Area according to village papers

Total Cropped Area

Area sown more than once

486

1349

9247

2148

1970

1465

1975

7996

7759

34395

7837

78

Source: 'G' Return 1998-99

64

CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE

The climate is generally hot and dry in the district except in coastal area. The

mean maximum temperature ranges from 29.6 0 to 41.3 0c and the mean minimum

temperature varies from 18.50 to 26.70c. The highest temperature was recorded between

the months of May and August and the lowest during December and January.

Table 1.6

MONTHLY CAPITAL DATA - STATION WISE WITH MAINTAININGDIRECTORATE PARTICULAR: (1998-99) (IN MILLIMETERS)

Period Normal Rainfall Actual Rainfall(1) (2) - (3)

1. South west MonsoonTotal 59.9 152.4June 98 6.1 0.9July 98 10.0 83.0August 98 18.5 38.3September 98 - 25.3 30.2

2. North east MonsoonTotal 429.4 525.6October 98 150.7 54.0November 98 184.7 235.4December98 94.0 236.2

3. Winter period MonsoonTotal 62.0 69.1January 99 38.9 10.2February99 23.1 58.9

4. Hot weather periodTotal 110.9 17.5March 99 30.5 0.8April 99 54.3 8.9May 99 26.1 7.8AmountTotal, 662.2 764.7

Source: Assistant District of statistics, Thoothukudi.

65

SOIL AND MINERALS

Black loan, red sandy and alluvial soils are found in the district. Kovilpatti,

Vilathikulam and Ottapidaram taluks have black loamy soil. Red sandy soils are found in

Sattankulam and parts of Tiruchendur Taluks alluvial soil is available. Acid alkaline and

saline soils are also found. Acidic soils are found (1 - 15%) in Thoothukudi,

Srivaikundam and Aiwarthirunagari block. Alkaline soils are found predominantly in

Tiruchendur block, Kovilpatti and Ottapidaram blocks.

AGRICULTURE

The main food crop in the district is paddy. Out of the total area of 450954

hectares, 206889 hectares are brought under the cultivation of different crops which

works out to 46% of total area of the district.

The important food crops in the district are paddy, banana, cholam, cumbu, ragi

varagu and commercial crops like cotton, chillies, sugarcane and groundnet are also

cultivated.

IRRIGATION

There are 89 P.W.D. Tanks with an Ayacut of 7183 Ha, 453 M.I. tanks 52 system

tanks with an Ayacu of 13.194 Ha, 54 canals with 5466 Ha as Ayacut. There are 29,022

wells 9473 Electric motors and 1444 oil Engines used for irrigation purposes. River

Tamirabarani, the life line of Thoothukudi district is the main source for system tanks as

well as for drinking and industrial purposes.

66

/

Table 1.7

AREA AND PRODUCTION OF CROPS (YEAR 1998 - 99)

SI. Area Production Productivity% to the

No.Crops '000' hec 1000' tonnes kgfhec

total areasown

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

1. A. Food Grainsa) Cereals & Millets

Paddy 21.7 96.9 4462 10.99Cholam 8.7 7.90 906 4.41Cumbu 18.18 32.93 1811 9.21Ragi 0.44 1.11 2549 0.22

b) PulsesBlack Gram 14.78 4.27 288 7.49Green Gram 7.32 2.25 308 3.70

2. B. Oil SeedsCotton 17.45 13.90 135 8.84Groundnut 2.76 5.45 1974 1.40

Gingelly 3.35 1.27 379 1.70

Sunflower 1.78 0.95 537 0.90

3. C. Other CropsChillies 24.34 10.71 440 12.33

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics Chennai.

LIVESTOCK POPULATION

According to the livestock census 1982, the district has a live stock population of

816910 contributing 3.11% to the state livestock population Livestock population

consisting of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs and other account for 28%, 11%, 22%,\

3%, 23% and 13% respectively. The cattle population is high in Tiruchendur, Kovilpatti

and Srivaikuntam taluks. Kovilpatti taluk ranks first in sheep population.

67

I-I

COMMUNICATION

The district is provided with 413 post offices serving 3270 persons per post office

average area covered by one post office is 11.22 sq.km . They established 6 telegraphic

offices are serving an average population of 14522 per office. Each radio set in the

district is serving 31 persons.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

The district has educational institutions with primary, middle, high and higher

secondary schools numbering 1020, 306, 51 and 46 respectively. Technical education is

provided in 2 industrial training institutes and 2 polytechnics. There are 3 teacher

training colleges, besides 11 arts and science college in the district.

Educational facilities are available in Tulicorin from primary to post grtcs

level. Technical institute both engineering and fisheries are also available.

BANKING INSTITUTIONS

The district has adequate number of Bank branches and cooperative credit

societies. There are 17 branches of state bank group, 64 branches of nationalised banks

28 branches of regional rural bank, 40 branches of cooperative banks, 28 branches of

private sector banks. Investment cooperation (TICC) and 150 primary agricultural

cooperative credit societies altogether there are 311 branch offices including the PACS

catering to the needs of the people in providing financial assistance.

68

The total number of banks/financial institutions operating in the district. The

district has 180 branches of public sector, private sector Regional Rural and co-operative

Banks of which, 50 are urban, 60 are semi-urban and 70 are rural in nature.

SALT PRODUCTION

Thoothukudi block is one of the major salt producing place in the south. There

are about 2208 salt producing units in the district and achieved a total production of 17.12

lakh tonnes at salt during 1999 - 2000. More than 100 units the engaged in iodised salt

productions. 4 refined free flow iodised salt manufacturing units are also functioning and

produces 10,000 MT per annum. Total salt pan extent in the block 22, 949 acres.

FISHERIES

The district is endowed with a coast line oil 35 kms and marine production during

1997 - 98 was over 6,400 tonnes. There is no appreciable increase in marine production

for the past 5 years. There are 130 vallams, 248 catamarans and 700 mechanised fishing

boats. 23,749 persons are engaged in fishing.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

The district constitutes 70% of the total salt production of Tamilnadu and meets

30% of the salt requirement of our country. There are two industrial estates, one at

Kovilpatti with 11 units and the other at Tuticorin with 20 units. The former is managed

by SIDCO and the latter by SIPCOT. Small scale industries such as match industries,

food based and metal based industries are generally concentrated in Kovilpatti and

Tuticorin Taluks. There are 1925 SSI units registered in the district. Major industries

69

numbering 12 are established in the district. They are engaged in the production of

cotton and stable yarn, caustic soda, PVC, Rexin, fertilizes, soda ash, carbon-di-oxide gas

in liquid etc. The important major industries are southern petrochemical industries

corporation Ltd., Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals, Dharangadhara Chemical Works, Loyal

Textiles Ltd., Madura Coats Ltd., and Lakshmi Mills. The public sector undertakings are

thermal power unit (620 MW), Heavy Water Plant and Port Trust. The small scale

service institute has set up a branch office at Tuticorin which is catering to the needs of

SSI industrialists in Ramnad, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts. Two research

centre viz., (i) Research centre for Marine salt and (ii) Salt and marine chemical research

centre have been established at Thoothukudi by the central and state governments

respectively. The district has a coastal line of 135 km is also an important occupation.

20% of the total population depend on fishing in the sea near the town for their livelihood

and for export puposcs. Salt pans around Thoothukudi for production of ordinary salt

for human consumption and for trade purposes. Thoothukudi is one the main centres for

production of salt in this country. This paves the way for salt-based industry. Pearl and

Chunk fishing from deep sea around Thoothukudi is rare and unique incidents in this

country. Pearl and chunk fishing are widely prevalent in the deep sea near the town.

Hence, this town is otherwise known as "Pearl city".

There are large number of private coconut oil mills within the town. On account

of the phenomenal growth of industrialisation in this part of the town, and its environ

large scale employment opportunities have become available. This had helped the

economic growth of people in this town by providing means of their livelihood.

70

TOWN EXTENT

The town is divided into 12 survey wards i.e. I to 8 and A to D. The total extent

of the town is 13.47 sq.km . Out of the total area of 13.47 sq.km the developed area

accounts to 1120 hectares, which constitutes 83.5% of total area. The non-urban uses

which include the area under water land. Agricultural and salt pan, cover 227 hectare and

accounts for 16.85% of land.

The national highway is not maintaining any road within the municipal limit. But

7 roads are being maintained by the state highways. There are two railway stations within

the municipal limit. They are Melur and Keelur (Thoothukudi).

II

71

Table 1.8

WORKERS AND NON-WORKERS OF THOOTHUKUDI BLOCK

(in thousands)

SI.No. Category No. of Persons

A. Total main workers

1. Cultivators

2. Agricultural labourers

3. Livestock, forest and fisheries

4. Mining and quarrying

5. Manufacturing and processing in householdindustries

6. Manufacturing and processing

7. Other construction works

8. Trade and commerce

9. Transport and communication

10. Other services

TOTAL

B. Marginal workers

Non workers

5742

11123

5142

505

2048

23863

4920

19021

12326

18883

103573

2848

216055

Source: Census of India, 1991.

National Informatics Centre, Thoothukudi 1993.

The above table explains the occupational pattern of the working population in

Tlioothukudi block. This table shows that main workers involved in various workers are

103673, marginal workers constitute more than workers, i.e. 216055.

72

THOOTHUKUDI PORT

Thoothukudi port is the 10th major port of the country functioning with seven

cargo berths and three bulk jetties. Thoothukudi port is situated at Latitude 8 degrees 45'

N and Longitude 78 degrees 13' E on the East Coast of India about 540 km south west of

Chennai. The port is well sheltered from the fury of storms and cyclonic winds. It is

strategically located very close to the major international sea routes. One of the main

problems with the port is the low depths which was recently improved by the dredging

project at a cost of Rs.202 crores to cater the needs of vessels having draught upto 10.7

meters. Port has adequate space and godowns. Thoothukudi port is the first Indian port

to win the quality certificate under ISO - 9002.

73