“We have the duty of formulating, of summarising and of communicating our conclusions, in intelligence form, in recognition of the right of ‘other’ free minds to utilize them in making ‘their own decisions” -R.A.Fisher (Father of Statistics) “It is easy to lie with statistics. It is hard to tell the truth without statistics”. -Andrejs Dunkels District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 1 PREFACE The publication of “District Statistical Hand Book 2014-15 - Salem” presents the latest statistical data on various Socio- Economic aspects of Salem District. Statistical Tables presented in this book highlight the trends in the development and progress in various sectors of Salem District’s economy. I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. V.Irai Anbu, I.A.S, Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Department of Economics and Statistics, Chennai, Thiru. V.Sampath, I.A.S, District Collector, Salem and Thiru.K.Ravi Kumar, M.A., B.Ed., B.L., M.B.A., Regional Joint Director of Statistics, Salem for their valuable support and suggestions offered for enhancing the quality for this publication. The co-operation extended by various Heads of Departments of State and Central Governments, Public Sector Undertakings and Other organizations in bringing out this book is acknowledged with profound gratitude.It is hoped that this Hand Book will be a useful reference book to Administrators, Planners, Scholars, Statisticians, Economists and to all those who are interested in the Socio- Economic Planning of Salem District. I express my appreciation to all the Officers and Staff of this office for compiling the data relating to this Hand Book. Suggestions for improving future compilations are most welcome. Place: Salem Date: DeputyDirector of Statistics, Salem District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 2 District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 3 District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 4 District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 5 District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 6 SALIENT FEATURES OF SALEM DISTRICT I. PHYSICAL FEATURE Salem is one of the biggest districts and it is centrally situated in Tamil Nadu. It is a Geologist‟s paradise, surrounded by hills and the landscape dotted with hillocks. Salem has vibrant culture dating back to the ancient Kongu Nadu. As a district, Salem has its singinficance in various aspects such as Mango Cultivation, Silver Ornaments, Textiles, Sago industries and Steel production. It has thirteen taluks. During the year 2014-15, Salem West, Salem South and Pethanaikkanpalayam are newly formed taluks in this district. There are many things in Salem that are noteworthy by its virtue of its location and social set-up. II. AREA AND POPULATION Salem district‟s geographical area is 5245 sq.kms. While Salem district occupies the 9th rank among the districts in Tamil Nadu in regard to size, the population of Salem district occupies 5th rank among districts in Tamil Nadu. As per 2001 census 53.65% persons are in rural areas and remaining 46.35% persons are in urban areas. The population of Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes in the district are 15.5% and 3.50% respectively. The density of population as per 2001 census 573. As per the population census 2011, the total population of the district is 34, 82,056 of which 17, 81,571 are males and the remaining 1700485 are females. The percentage of decadal growth rate of population has declined to 15.37 % during 2001-11 from 17.2& of 1991-2001. The sex ratio has gone up to 954 females per 1000 males as per census 2011 when compared to 929 females per 1000 males in 2001 census. It is ranked as 31st among all districts of the State in respect of sex ratio. The population density per square kilometer has increased to 663 in census 2011 from 575 of the pervious census 2001. Salem District has been ranked at 5th place according to the most populous district in the State and its share to the State‟s total population is 4.82%. The overall literacy rate of Salem District as per 2011 census is 73.86% with males‟ literacy rate at 80.24 % and females‟ literacy rate at 65.15%. The corresponding District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 7 literacy rates of combined, males and females were 65.09%, 74.4% and 55.2% respectively in 2001 census. III. CLIMATE AND RAINFALL Rainfall is a single most important factor for success of crops in the farming areas. The district receives the rain under the influence of both southwest and northest monsoons. The northeast monsoon chiefly contributes to the rainfall in the district. Salem district received actual rainfall of 1001.5 mm in the year 2014-15, when compared with the normal rainfall of 997.9 mm. In 2013-14, Salem district has received 902.5 mm of rainfall. i.e. 10.97% of rain fall increased when compared with previous year. IV. THE STANLEY RESERVOIR Stanley Reservoir is one of the largest fishing reservoirs in South India. Its main source of water is the river Cauvery. Three main tributaries such as Palar, Chennar and Thoppar enter into the Cauvery on its course above Stanley Reservoir. An architectural marvel and important land mark in the Mettur Division of Salem, it is the heart that pumps the life giving water to the farmers of the Cauvery basin who suffer the vagaries of Indian monsoons. The Sixteen Gates is an Engineering master-piece and regulates the flow of water released from Mettur Dam to the lower reaches covering the paddy fields in the eight districts of Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Tiruchirapalli, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam. The total length of the dam is 1700 meters. The Mettur Hydro Electrical Power Project is also quite l00arge. Dam, park, major hydroelectric power stations and hills on all sides make Mettur a good tourist attraction. District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 8 V. AGRICULTURE Agriculture continues to be the most predominant sector of the state economy, Nearly 30%of the population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. TamilNadu is India‟s second biggest producer of rice. Most of the available lands in the district are utilized for raising Paddy, Sugarcane and Plantation crops under irrigated condition. Dry crops like Cumbu, Cholam, Varagu, Maize and Samai are cultivated extensively. Cash crops like Groundnut, Sugarcane, Gingilly, Castor and Cotton are raised to a considerable extent. 0 This district is notable for its special varieties of Mangoes such as “ Bangalora, Gundu, Malgova, Nadusalai and Neelam ”. There are 97 coffee estates in Yercaud taluk. The Shevroys is famous for oranges, pears and other hill fruits. Pepper is also grown in small extent in Yercaud while arecanut is cultivated in Attur taluk. Tapioca locally known as Maravalli (or) Kuchi Kilangu (in Tamil) is extensively cultivated by the farmers of Salem district. The tubers are used primarily to produce starch. A variety of food items like chips, fryums, papads, Noodles and vermicelli are also produced from tapioca. Tapioca and castor Research centre functioning in Salem is engaged in Research and Development activities to produce high yielding and disease resistant varieties. District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 9 “District of Salem is known as the land of Sago”. The district offers good raw material, cheap labour, good sun shine for a longer period of the day throughout the year. “District of Salem is known as the land of Sago”. Yercuad is very famous for its coffee and orange plantations and it has preserved most of the forest‟s original species of flora and fauna. Coffee is the main crop grown in Yercuad. Jackfruit, Star apple, fig, Lacota, Water apple, oranges, guava and spices such as black pepper and cardamom are other crops raised on the coffee estates. Sandalwood, teak and Silver Oak tree is abundant as well. VI. INDUSTRY Salem is a major textile centre in TamilNadu, with more than 125 spinning mills, weaving mills and garment units. The handloom industry is one of the most ancient cottages in Salem district of TamilNadu. Saree, Dhoti and Angavasthram are made out of silk yarn and Cotton yarn. The weavers engaged under Handloom are concentrated mainly in Salem, Sankagiri, Edapady and Omalur Taluks. Kondalampatti is a small census town in the district and it is famous for its silk handloom products. Kondalampatti handlooms are well known for the durability of the colours used in the yarn. District Statistical Handbook 2014-15 Page 10 The other thriving Industries are sago manufacturing and power loom cloth production. Mettur has become a powerful industrial center due to the availability of power and water. In Salem taluk there are four major mining engaged in mining of Magnetite. The Salem Steel Plant is a special steels unit of Steel Authority of India Ltd., pioneered the supply of wider width stainless steel sheets / coils in India. The plant can produce austenitic, ferritic, martenstic and low-nickel stainless steel in the form of coils and sheets with an installed capacity of 70,000 tonnes / year in Cold Rolling Mill and 1, 86,000 tonnes / year in Hot Rolling Mill. In addition, the plant has country's first top-of-the-line stainless steel blanking facility with a capacity of 3,600 tonnes of coin blanks and utility blanks / circles. India‟s largest producer of special steel in the long products category, JSW Steels Salem plant mainly caters to the automotive sector. It is environment friendly, zero effluent plant. The Salem plant manufactures various grades of special steel in the long products category, ranging from 5.5 mm to 200 mm. It is the Asian leader for the manufacture of special grade steel used in gears, crank shafts and bearings.