HUMAN DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND CO-ORDINATION UNIT STATE PLANNING COMMISSION EZHILAGAM, CHEPAUK, CHENNAI 600 005. DISTRICT HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT DHARMAPURI DISTRICT Department of Economics University of Madras Dr. R. Anandakumar. I.A.S., e-mail :
[email protected] District Collector, Office Phone : 04342-230500 Fax : 04342-230886 Dharmapuri Camp Phone : 04342-232800 Office Fax : 04342-232300 Mobile : 9444161000 FOREWORD Dharmapuri District nestled in the North –Western region of Tamil Nadu, is endowed with rich natural resources and unique human resource. However, this district has for long, remained in the backwaters of development. Past studies have indicated that Dharmpapuri district is quite backward in terms of infrastructure and human development indicators. But during the last few years, the rays of development have seeped in an unprecedented manner and the district has witnessed tangible improvement in its socio-economic profile. Remarkable progress can be now seen in sectors like health, education, employment and connectivity. This report is an attempt to capture and analyze these changes. I am sure that this report will be a valuable resource for administrators, planners and academicians. I congratulate and thank all the scholars and researchers who have worked tirelessly in compiling this report. Collector, Dharmapuri HUMAN DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND CO-ORDINATION UNIT STATE PLANNING COMMISSION EZHILAGAM, CHEPAUK, CHENNAI 600 005. DISTRICT HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT DHARMAPURI DISTRICT Chapter No Chapter Name Page 1 District Profile 1 2 Flow of Government Funds 13 3 Health 17 4 Literacy and Education 37 5 Livelihood 63 6 Environment 85 7 Summary 101 Chapter 1 DISTRICT PROFILE 1.1 Introduction In the last few decades, there is a shift in development paradigm from economic growth approach to human development approach.