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Home , Alwarthirunagiri, Ettayapuram, Karungulam, Kovilpatti taluk, Ottapidaram, Ottapidaram taluk

THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT

1 DISTRICT

1. Introduction

i) Geographical location of the district

Traditionally known as “ ” on account of the prevailing Pearl fish in the past in the area, Thoothukudi has a fascinating history. On 20 th October 1986 a new district, carved out of the erstwhile district was born in and named after V.O.Chidambaranar, a great National leader.

Since 1997 as in the case of other districts of Tamil Nadu, this district has also been named after its headquarters town Thoothukudi. is situated in between latitude 0.8 o and 45 o and longitude 78 o and 11 o with an area of 4,621 sq.km. ii) Administrative profile The details on taluks, blocks, village panchayats and town panchayats are illustrated below:

Tiruchendur, Srivaikundam, , I Taluks : , Thoothukudi, , &

Thoothukudi, Ottapidaram, Srivaikundam, , , Alwarthirunagari, II Blocks : , Sathankulam, Kovilpatti, Kayathar, Vilathikulam & Pudur

480 III Revenue villages :

408 IV Village panchayats :

V Town panchayats : 19

2 iii) Meteorological information ii) Agriculture and horticulture

Its maximum temperature is 41 oC Agriculture is the main occupation on and the minimum is 26 oC. The climate is which 70% of the people depend on .The conducive for agriculture and horticulture. main food crop in this district is paddy. Out Thoothukudi comes under low rainfall of the total area of 4,70,724 ha, 1,78,623 ha region. The normal rainfall of the district is are brought under the cultivation of different 662.2 mm. South west accounts for crops which is nearly 38% of total area of 9%, north east monsoon for 65%, winter the district. The important food crops in the being 9% and summer being 17% of total district are paddy, cholam, cumbu, ragi, rainfall. Thoothukudi depends mainly on varagu, samai and commercial crops like north east monsoon rains, which are brought cotton, chilly, sugarcane and groundnut. by the troughs of low pressure developing in south between October and a. Total Cultivated Area ha : 1,83,075 December. b. Net area sown (ha) : 1,78,623

2. Resources-availability c. Area sown more than once (ha): 4,452 i) Land resources d. Area and production of area (ha) (2011- 2012) The major soil types found in the Production principal crops area district include montmorillonitic, Vertisols, Alfisols, Inceptisols and kaolinitic. Deep i. Paddy 20,278 89.44 fine, montmorillonitic, vertisols occupies a ii. Millets and 52,850 187.19 major area of 1,14,817.11 ha The types of other cereals soil and the area are listed in Table, below. iii. Pulses 62,274 12.91 Common soils types and locations in iv. Groundnut 1,183 1.15 Thoothukudi district v. Gingelly 1,905 0.30 Sl. Places in Type of Soil No. District e. Agricultural Land Holdings (2010-11) 1. Red loam Udangudi, i. Holdings : 1, 95, 435 Kayatar, ii. Area ha : 2, 33,688.8 Sattankulam iii. Average size of holdings (ha): 1.19 2. Lateritic soil Srivaikundam, Tiruchendur iii) Forest resources

3. Black soil Kovilpatti, Total forest area of the district is 11,010 ha Kayatar, A. Forest Area (ha) Vilathikulam, Thoothkudi, a. Reserved forests : 7,121 Ottapidaram b. Reserved lands : 3,889

4. Sandy coastal Tiruchendur Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is alluviam located in Vallanadu village of 5. Red sandy soil Udangudi, Srivaikundam taluk on Tirunelveli – Sattankulam, Thoothukudi road at a distance of 18km Srivaikundam, from Tirunelveli. The Vallanadu Blackbuck Karungulam, sanctuary is located in an isolated hillock Ottapidaram, with scrub forest.

Vembar

3 Islands of Tuticorin region i) Mineral resources Rock types found in the area belong Four of the 21 islands of Gulf of to the Khondalite and Charnockite groups Mannar occur along Tuticorin coast. These and Migmatite Complex of Eastern Ghats islands are surrounded by a thick coral and Super group, which are unconformably seagrass cover. Erosion has been severe in overlain by Tertiary and Quaternary these islands because of coral mining sediments. Garnet-biotite-sillimanite gneiss, activities which happened before 2004 quartzite, calc-granulite and limestone of Indian Ocean tsunami. Khondalite group with epidiorite, occurring Van island as narrow linear bands. Charnockite group is represented by acid variants. These rock Van island is locally called as Church types occur as xenoliths within the Island. The island forms part of Keela Migmatite Complex occupying a major part Arasanadi village of . The of the area, comprising medium grained area of the island was 16 ha and 56 acres but hornblende-biotite gneiss and garnet-biotite it has currently shrunk to 5.7 ha according to gneiss. Grey and pink granite represent the the new reports. Moreover, island has split last phase of granitic activity and occur as into two parts because of a narrow channel in concordant intrusive bodies. between. The erosion in the island is attributed to rampant coral mining which Fine grained marine, calcareous happened in this region until 2004 tsunami. sandstone and limestone and gritty sandstone This island is situated at a distance of 6 km intercalated with a pebble bed of Mio- from the shore. Pliocene ( sandstone) unconformably overlies the Archaean. The Kasuwar island pebble bed generally marks the contact It is also called as Kasuwar island. It between the sandstone and gneiss. An is located at a distance of 7km from interesting assemblage of fossils such as village of Ottapidaram taluk. lamellibranches, gastropods, corals and Its area is 19.5 ha according to the 1986 foraminifera is found in the sedimentary report. It is included in Tharuvaikulam of rocks. The beds are more or less horizontal Ottapidaram taluk. or dip gently towards the east.

Karaichalli island Quaternary sediments occur along the

This island is located 10 km off the river valley and the east coast. They are shore of Pattanamarudur village of grouped into fluvial-marine, Aeolian and Ottapidaram taluk. This island is the most marine. Calcareous sandstone and siliceous diverse island among the four islands. limestone of Quaternary age uncomfortably overlies the Tertiary sediments marked by a Vilanguchalli island conglomerate. The calcareous sandstone is

This is the farthest island from the interbedded with limestone. The rocks are shore in the district. It forms part of coarse grained, poorly consolidated and Pattanamarudur village and is located at the friable with recent marine shells of which distance of 12 km off the shore of the Ostrea sp . is the most common. A village. This island got submerged under the conglomerate bed is noticed at the base of water because of severe coral mining these sediments in contact with Archaeans. activities. Kankar and tuffaceous occur in number of detached outcrops. The rocks occur as

4 massive beds of sheet tufa resulting from Mica segregation of lime bleached out of the underlying garnet gneiss. Thick alluvium ENE of Kovilpatti, Pegmatite shows occurs along the banks of Tamirabarani and incidence of mica. The limestone is available in the following areas: Vaippar rivers and along the coast. Red ‘teri’ sands represent Aeolian deposits. They occur 1. Arasur, in Sattankulam taluk as small dunes and cappings. 2. Semma Pudur in Ettaiyapuram taluk Ilmenite-garnet sand

It occurs the mouth of Vaippar and 3. Usilankulam in Kallar rivers. they extend over a length of 4. , Meenakshipuram, K.Kumara 3.2 to 48 km and a width of 122m. Red reddiyarpuram in . garnet sands occur between the south of Ovari and Mavaladi. The proportion of 5. Kankar deposit is available in garnet is 75% in the rich Kodambakkam Maniyakkaranpatti, Vilathikulam taluk in tank, . Good purchase of Thoothukudi district. ilmenite sand occurs at Thiruvaikunlam, Minor minerals which extend over 3.2km The belt containing good concentrates varies from 1.5 Rough stone, jelly, sand, gravel, clay, to 30.5m in width. earth and granite are the minor minerals and leases are granted for quarrying of the said Lime Shell minerals in Thoothukudi District. Rough Lime shell with 50-55% CaO is stone, jelly is used for construction of known from the coastal tracks of buildings, road, etc. Clay and earth are used Thoothukudi and Srivaikundam taluks. for manufacturing bricks and filling

Gypsum and Salt materials. Gravel is used to form the road and filling purpose. Gypsum associated with Kankar has been reported from a few localities. Gypsum v) Water resources is a by-product in the salt pans, located along the east coast between Veppalodai and Tamiraparani river which rises in Ayyanapuram. Agasthiyamalai of the , flows Salt pan through Srivaikundam and Thiruchendur taluks and joins the sea at Punnakayl in Srivaikundam taluks. Pambayar and Manimuthar are the chief tributaries of Tamiraparani, which pass through the district. The Malattar and Uppodai flowing in Kovilpatti taluk are drainage courses. Tamiraparani and are the catchment areas of river basins, which have their place of origin in the Pothigaimalai. The former has a length of 120 km and the latter has a length of 98 km Pabanasam dam, Manimutharu dam and Eppodumvernam dam are built in the district.

5 vi) Fisheries production Thiruchendur a. Length of coastal line (km) : 163.5 Thiruchendur is one of the major b. No. of coastal blocks : 8 pilgrim centres of South . This Temple is situated at a distance of 40 km from c. No. of coastal centre’s : 24 Thoothukkudi. The sea-shore temple d. Marine fish production (tone) : 39,170 dedicated to Lord Muruga is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga. (Arupadi e. Inland fish production (tone) : 1,276 Veedu).The nine storied temple tower of 157

th The fishermen of Thoothukudi are ft. belongs to 17 century AD. Visiting Valli mostly using gillnets and trawl nets in the Cave, taking sea-bath, and bathing in motorized country craft and trawl boats, Nazhikkinaru are treated as holy ones. It is respectively. The trawling method of fishing well connected by bus service from all over over the years has led to the depletion of the TamilNadu and train services are there from Tirunelveli and . fishing resources and destruction of the sea bed. In Thoothukudi all FRP/wooden Manapadu vallams and catamarans are motorized and Manapadu is a coastal village totally there are about 4,200 traditional crafts situated at a distance a distance of 70 km altogether. The fishing methods followed is from Tirunelveli and 18 km south of mostly gill netting only. Thoothukudi being Tiruchendur. This place was visited by St. a major export hub consists of one major Francis Xavier in 1542. The Holy Cross port and fishing harbour. The fish landings church built on a cliff attracts thousands of consists of important fishes like seer fish, pilgrims throughout the year and during the lobsters, prawns, snappers, groupers etc., month of festival (1 st September to 14 th which are considered to be export varieties. September) number of tourists assemble vii) Heritage resources here.

Manapadu village

6 Kulasekaranpattinam viii) Biodiversity It is a historical fact that even before Kulasekaranpattinam is situated on Christian era, the and chanks obtained the way to from Tiruchendur. from coast enjoyed a It is 20 km from Tiruchendur and 65 km position among the import and export from Kanyakumari. This village is famous commodities to various parts of the world. for the Mutharamman temple, which is Since Tuticorin was famous for pearl fishing located on the shore of Bay of Bengal. This it is called Pearl City. The Gulf of Mannar temple is nearly 150 years old. The Dhasara Marine National Park area of Thoothukudi Festival is celebrated in a grand scale every district includes estuaries, mudflats, beaches year during October. Folk dance artists from and forests of the near shore environment. throughout Tamil Nadu perform variety of It also includes marine components such as programmes. coral reefs, seaweed beds, sea grasses, salt Kazhugumalai marshes and mangroves. Mangroves occur

Kazhugumalai Jain temple is situated in Tuticorin mainland, Vaipar, Pazhayakayal at a distance 60 km from Tirunelveli and 21 and Punnakayal areas. The diverse nature of km from Kovilpatti. In this temple we can ecosystems in the Gulf of Mannar supports a see the images of Adinatha, Neminatha wide variety of significant species including Mahaveera Parvanatha, Bahubali. There is 117 species of corals, 13 species of also a monolithic temple called Vettuvan seagrasses, 641 species of crustaceans, 731 Kovil. This is the only one of the monolithic species of molluscs, 441 species of finfishes Pandya temple that still survives. and 147 species of seaweeds apart from the seasonally migrating marine mammals like Meignanapuram whales, dolphins, porpoises and turtles.

It is 13 km from Tiruchendur and is 3. Impacts an ancient village. The Pari Pauvlin church here was built in 1847. It is 110 ft long, 55 i) Urbanization ft wide with steeple in the front soaring into Among the urban areas, Thoothukudi the sky for a height of 192 ft This is one of municipal town accounts for a greater share the biggest churches with the tallest steeple of urban population when compared to the in India. other urban areas within the district. Surface

Sinthalakkarai water is the major source for protected water supply both in and in town Sinthalakkarai is a pilgrim centre panchayats. The estimated sewage where Goddess Sri Vetkaliamman of 42 ft generation is 155 lakh litres among height blesses the devotees. It is situated on municipalities and 84 lakh litres among town the road from the Thoothukudi to . panchayats. The municipalities and the town The Statue of Mahavishnu of 72 ft length panchayats have complete open drainage with Rajasayanam on the snake in system. The solid waste generation of Thiruparkadal is also there. municipalities and town panchayats is to the

Vanathirupathi tune of 35.10 tonnes and 23.45 tonnes

This temple is about 45km from respectively. The solid waste collection in Tirunelveli and around 20 km from municipalities and town panchayats is Tiruchendur. The nearest railway station is claimed to be 82.5%. It was observed that Kachanavilai on the Tiruchendur to 10% of rubber and leather, 11% of plastics, Tirunelveli section. 52% of compostable matter, 6% of wooden

7 matter, 9% of glasses, 6% each metal and maximum value of these indicators is far bricks & stones are the composition of beyond the set standards causing concern. municipal solid waste in the district. iii) Thermal power generation ii) Industrial development There has been an improvement in The industries found in this district the power generation sector. Non can be classified under three categories viz. conventional and renewable energy sources household industries, small scale, and of utilisation are not very much identified. medium and large-scale industries. Safety Thermal power station at 5 km from matches, weaving & processing and Thoothukudi town and DCW Ltd and heavy manufacture of palm fibre and articles from water plant are the red category industries. palm trees are the main household industries. Effluent discharge happens from these Safety matches are manufactured mainly in industries into the land and sea respectively. Kovilpatti taluk. Manufacture of articles from palm tree is mainly found in iv) Natural hazards Thiruchendur, Srivaikundam and Sattankulam taluks where larger areas are Erosion has been severe along the covered by palmyrah trees. coastline of Thoothukudi district. The boundary of the sea keeps increasing and There are many small-scale industries entering in to the land gradually. Sea level in this district, which are mostly engaged in rise is a global problem as it occurs in the manufacturing of chemical products, and Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar. One food products. The items produced by large- of the four islands of Gulf of Mannar has scale industries are salt, cotton yarn/textiles, submerged because of the combined effect of chemical and chemical products. The rampant coral mining and sea level rise. spinning mills are located in Thoothukudi Another island, Van, is also on the verge of taluk. There are many major rice mills for submergence as it has decreased in area production of rice from paddy. Salt considerably and recently split into two parts manufacturing is one of the very important by a narrow channel in between. Sea surface industries found in this district. There have temperature is also increasing as a been 17 Red category industries and 9 consequence of global climate change. Orange category industries under large-scale Corals in the Gulf of Mannar are facing industries in the district. However all the annual bleaching because of the elevated sea industries of the district are found to be surface temperature. having the emission rates well under the set v) Natural disaster prone areas standards. It has been ascertained from the Air pollution is the major component available information that 3 taluks were of atmospheric pollution, which affected by flood during 1992 - 1993 years. instantaneously affects human health and No significant drought and cyclone in the thus is an environmental hazard. As far as district have been recorded in the recent the urban air quality status is concerned, the years. The banks along the Thamiraparani average SPM values and average NO x values river are prone to occasional floods. 2004 of commercial and industrial categories seem Indian Ocean tsunami did not make huge to be within the standards. However, the damage in Thoothukudi district as the coastal zone is protected by natural resources like corals and seagrasses.

8 4. Government initiatives ii) Coastal protection initiatives i) Initiatives to improve fisher folk Islands of the Tuticorin region act as livelihood bio shields in this village along with the coral and seagrass beds. The impact of Schemes Implemented In Thoothukudi tsunami was comparatively less in this District district. Moreover, manual protection by making sea walls has been done in several • National Savings- cum- relief scheme areas noticeably in Thirespuram. for marine fishermen Savings- cum- iii) Awareness initiatives relief scheme for marine fisherwomen

One day workshop was conducted on • Enhanced Financial Assistance of tsunami at Government Polytechnic on Rs.2000/- to marine fishermen families 19.07.06. Quality testing of various types of during fishing ban period. materials used in construction and practical sessions were conducted. Various awareness • Special allowance of Rs.4000/- for programs on coastal resources and fishermen families during non-fishing conservation have been conducted by period. various government and private sectors. Coral miners stopped coral mining after • Conversion / Upgradation of fishing 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami due to increased crafts into tuna liners @ 25% subsidy. awareness.

• Group accident insurance scheme for iv) Bio diversity fisher-folk. Successful coral restoration has been • Fishermen personal accident insurance done by Suganthi Devadason Marine scheme. Research Institute around Tuticorin group of islands and in mainland Punnakayal patch • Motorisation of traditional grafts. reef. Very good results were obtained. • Cash awards to 10 th and +2 students Artificial reefs have also been deployed in belonging to fishermen community. various areas along Tuticorin coast. Initiatives have been taken to do the seagrass • Payment of daily relief to the missing restoration also. Mangrove restoration has fishermen family while conducting been done by the forest department near fishing into the sea. Punnakayal and Pazhayakayal areas.

• Fishermen welfare board schemes. 5. Summary / Conclusion

• Fishermen free housing scheme • Thoothukudi district is situated in • Scheme for creating employment between latitude 8.8100°N, opportunities to educated fishermen 78.1400°E with an area of 4621 youth through up gradation of skills in sq.km Maritime Education and Nautical Sciences. • The major soil types found in the district include montmorillonitic,

9 vertisols, alfisols, inceptisols and • Tamiraparani, the only river of the kaolinitic. Deep fine, montmor- district. It originates from rises in illonitic and vertisols occupy a major Agasthiyamalai of the Western area of 1,14,817.11 ha Ghats, flows through Srivaikundam and Thiruchendur taluks and joins • Agriculture is the main occupation the sea at Punnakayl in and 70% of the people depend on it. Srivaikundam taluk.

• Out of the total area of 470724 ha, • The district has a wide coastal length 178623 ha are under the cultivation of 163.5 km of different crops which is nearly 38% of total area of the district. • The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park area of Thoothukudi district • The important food crops in the includes estuaries, mudflats, beaches district are paddy, cholam, cumbu, and forests of the near shore ragi, varagu, samai and commercial environment. crops like cotton, chilly, sugarcane and groundnut. • Coral restoration, seagrass restoration and mangrove restoration • Four of the 21 islands of Gulf of activities are carried out Mannar occur along Tuticorin coast. successfully in this district. These islands are surrounded by a thick coral and seagrass cover which act as a bio shield.

• Erosion has been severe in these

islands because of coral mining activities which happened before 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamialong with sea level rise.

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