NATURAL RESOURCES DATA BANK THIRUVANANTHAPURAM KERALA STATE LAND USE BOARD VIKAS BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 33 2013 CONTENTS PAGE NO. 1. GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................................... 1 2. ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY .......................................................................... 15 3. LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY...................................................... 19 4. DEMOGRAPHY................................................................................................... 21 5. METEOROLOGY ................................................................................................ 33 6. GEOLOGY & GEOMORPHOLOGY ................................................................... 41 7. PHYSIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................ 69 8. SOIL .................................................................................................................... 75 9. WATER RESOURCES ....................................................................................... 83 10. MINERALS .......................................................................................................... 95 11. LAND USE ........................................................................................................ 105 12. BIODIVERSITY ................................................................................................. 153 13. FORESTS......................................................................................................... 155 14. AGRICULTURE ................................................................................................. 159 15. PLANTATION ..................................................................................................... 181 16. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY ....................................................................................... 185 17. FISHERIES ....................................................................................................... 191 18. WETLAND ........................................................................................................ 197 19. WASTE LAND ................................................................................................... 215 20. WATERSHED ................................................................................................... 227 21. IRRIGATION (MINOR & MAJOR) ...................................................................... 247 22. POWER ............................................................................................................ 265 23. MISCELLANEOUS ............................................................................................ 273 N.B:- Related Maps are provided in each Chapter. GENERAL INFORMATION Thiruvananthapuram the Southernmost district of the coastal State of Kerala in South India came into existence on 1st November 1956. The city gets its name from the word “Thiru-anantha-puram” meaning the “Abode of Lord Anantha”. Being capital of Kerala often known as “God’s own country”, Thiruvananthapuram is also called “God’s own capital”. The district has an area of 2192 sq.km consisting of 11 blocks, 4 municipalities and one corporation. The district is part of South Kerala coast and is divided into three submicroregions. Geographically district can be divided as highland, midland and lowland regions. Thiruvananthapuram lies between North Latitude 8017’ and 8051’ and East Longitude 76041’ and 77017’. District has a sea coast which is about 75kms long and also suited for backwater fishing due to the presence of continuous stretch of lakes and backwaters. The largest forest reserves favourably affect the climate and include more rain in the district. The part “Agasthyarkoodam” mountain which is the second highest peak in the Western Ghats lies in the district. Agriculture has been the primary occupation of the district and stands in the second position in tapioca cultivation. The soil of the district is generally classified as alluvial, peaty and laterite. This is the first city along the path of the South-West monsoon. Humidity is huge and rises to about 90% during the South West monsoon. Animal health has been taken care of by the department by establishing a network of veterinary institution at different level. Various industrial promotional agencies plays an important role. City houses several central and State Government Offices and Organisations. Apart from being the political nerve centre of Kerala it is also major academic hub and is home to several educational institutions. Thiruvananthapuram is also a tourist hot spot for both domestic and international tourists. The main rivers in the district are Neyyar, Karamana and Vamanapuram. All the revenue villages and towns are electrified and power is there almost every nook and corner of the district. HISTORY The name, Thiruvananthapuram, means the abode of the sacred snake god Ananthan, on whom Vishnu, the god of Preservation, is believed to be reclining. The old name, Trivandrum, is an anglicised form of the word - Thiruvananthapuram. - 1 - Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala State and the District head quarters came into existence as a result of linguistic Reorganisation of States on the 1st November, 1956. The history of the District is intertwined with the history of the princely State of Travancore. Trivandrum remained as the Capital of this princely State for over two centuries. There is little knowledge about the pre-history of the District. Though no Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) man lived in this region, some pre-historical antiquities of the Neolithic (new stone age) culture and megalithic monuments have been discovered in the District. The archaeological remains of the pre-historic period which comprises of natural or artificial caves were discovered when the Varkala Tunnel was bored. There are a number of archaeological antiquities particularly inscriptions in the District. Almost all the inscriptions and sculptures are found in the various temples located in the District. As in the case of other Coastal Districts, the District had also commercial contacts with many parts of the world. The famous book of ‘Periplus of Erythrean Sea’ mention about Varkala Hills. Upto the beginning of the 10th Century A.D., the Ays were the leading political power in the area. The disappearance of the Ays as a major political power in the 10th Century A.D. synchronized with the emergence of the rulers of Venad. In 1684, during the regency of Umayamma Rani, the English East India Company obtained a sandy pit of land at Anjengo (Anchuthengu) on the sea coast about 31 kms. North of Thiruvananthapuram with a view to erect a factory and to fortify it. The place had earlier been frequented by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch. It was from here that the English gradually extended their domain to the other parts of Travancore. The modern history begins with Marthanda Varma who is generally known as the ‘Maker of Modern Travancore’ (1729-1758A.D). Thiruvananthapuram was known as a great centre of intellectual and artistic activities in those days. The accession of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal (1829-1847 A.D) ushered in an epoch of cultural progress and economic prosperity. The beginning of English education was made in 1834 by opening an English School at Thiruvananthapuram. In 1836, an observatory and a charity hospital were established at Thiruvananthapuram. During the reign of Ayilyam Thirunal (1860-1880 A.D), a fully equipped Arts College was started at Thiruvananthapuram besides several English, Malayalam and Tamil Schools for boys and girls all over the - 2 - State. A large Civil Hospital and a Lunatic Asylum were also established. In 1873, the present University College of Thiruvananthapuram was opened. During the period of Sree Moolam Thirunal (1885-1924 A.D) a Sanskrit College, an Ayurveda College, a Law College and a Second Grade College for women were opened at Thiruvananthapuram. A department for the preservation and publication of oriental manuscripts was also established. One of the significant measures associated with his reign was the inauguration of the Legislative Council in 1888. In 1904, the Sree Moolam Assembly came into being. The activities of the Indian National Congress echoed in Thiruvananthapuram and other parts of Kerala during the reign of Sree Moolam Thirunal. In 1938, a political conference of the Congress was held in the city under the presidency of Dr.Pattabhi Sitaramaiah. The period, since the Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma took the reign of administration in 1931, witnessed multifaceted progress. The promulgation of the Temple Entry Proclamation (1936) was worth mentioning. In 1937, a separate University for Travancore was started. This was later re-designated as University of Kerala, following the formation of Kerala State in 1956. With the accession of Travancore to the Indian Union after independence, the policy of the State Government underwent radical changes. The first popular Ministry headed by Sree Pattom Thanu Pillai was installed in office on March 24, 1948. Consequent on the recommendation of the State Reorganization Commission, the four Southern Taluks of Thovala, Agastheeswaram, Kalkulam and Vilavancode were merged with Tamil Nadu. The Kerala State came into being on the 1st November, 1956. Source:- Census of India, 2001. - 3 - KERALA AT A GLANCE Location : North Latitude between 8018’ and 12048’ East Longitude