PREFACE The publication viz. “ District Statistical Hand Book ” for the year 2015-16 incorporate multi-various data on the accomplishment made by various Central and State Government Departments, Public and Private sector undertakings, Non-government organizations, etc., relating to the year 2015-16 in respect of The Nilgiris District. The facts and figures furnished in this hand book will serve as a useful apparatus for the planners, policy makers, researchers and also the general Public those who are interested in improved understanding of the District at micro level. I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr.V.IRAIANBU,I.A.S., The Principal Secretary/ Commissioner, Department of Economics and Statistics and The District Collector Dr.P.SANKAR,I.A.S., for their active and kind hearted support extended for bringing out the important publication in the fulfledged manner. I also extend my gratefulness to the District Heads of various Central and State Government Departments, Public and Private sector undertakings and also all others those who were extended their support for bringing out this publication. I am pleased to express a word of appreciation to the district unit of Department of Economics and Statistics for their active and energetic involvement extended towards the preparation and publication of this issue. I welcome the constructive and optimistic suggestions for enriching the future publication. Deputy Director of Statistics, The Nilgiris 2 DISTRICT AT A GLANCE The Sanscrit name “Nilgiris” means BLUE MOUNTAINS and in Tamil it denotes NEELAMALAI. The Nilgiris District is situated in the Western Ghats. It is surrounded by the Coimbatore District, Kerala State and Karnataka State on the eastern, western and the northern side respectively. The Nilgiris District is a celebrated summer resort for the tourists from all of India. Udhagamandalam popularly called as the Queen of Hill Stations in India. Udhagamandalam the capital of the Nilgiris District also has been one of the constituencies of TamilNadu Legislative Assembly. The economic activities of this district are accelerated by the visit of tourists to a considerable extent which increases the income capacity of the people engaged in various fields. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION The Nilgiris Hill forms part of the Western Ghats. The name Nilgiris was due to by the blue haze envelops the range with most distant hills of considerable size. Doddabetta, the highest peak in South India with an altitude of 2,595 Meters lies in this District. The other prominent hills of this District are Elk hills, Devarshola peak, Hulical hill and Cairn hill. There are many waterfalls in this District. Almost between every pair of mountain either river or stream flows. Important among them are the Pykara streams rising on the slopes of Mukkuruthi peak. The Segoor River has an origin near the slopes of Udhagamandalam. The Gathadahalla near Kotagiri and Coonoor is a tributary of river Bhavani. The important among the waterfalls are Kulacombai falls, St.Catherine‟s falls, Upper and Lower Pykara falls, the Kateri falls, Kallaty and the laws falls. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION The geographical area of the district is 2,545 square kilometers. It consists of six taluks namely Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri, Gudalur, Kundah and Pandalur. The up plateau at an altitude of 6,500 feet consists of three Taluks namely Udhagamandalam, Coonoor and Kotagiri while Gudalur Taluk is the oldest plateau at an altitude of 3,000 feet. There are four Panchayat Unions and also four Municipalities viz., Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Gudalur and Nelliyalam located in this district. Apart from 11 special village Panchayats, Wellington is the only Contonment of this district. 3 DEMOGRAPHY The population of the district according to 2011 Census is 7,35,394 of which 3,60,143 is the male population and 3,75,251 is the female population. The decrease in population over 2001 census is 3.51% Density varies from place to place. The density of the district population is 289 per square kilometers. The major town namely Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Gudalur has the population of 88430, 45494, 49535 respectively as per 2011 census. ALTITUDE Natural forest wealth is the one of the main factors adding to the natural beauty and economic importance of this District. Forest area is 1,42,577 hectares. The highest elevation is the peak of Doddabetta, which lies at a height of 2,595 meters from the Mean Sea level. The towns of Kotagiri, Coonoor and Gudalur lie at a height of 1,983, 1858 and 1,117 meters above mean sea level respectively. SEASONALITY AND RAINFALL The general climatic condition in this district is cool. High elevation of this district results low temperature, which is further lowered by excessive moisture content of the atmosphere resulting from the exaltation by the vegetation. The mean minimum Temperature was 5.0o Celsius and the mean maximum was 26.0o Celsius during 2015-16. The total rainfall during 2015-16 was 1357.7mm. CROPPING PATTERN The Gross area under cultivation is 75505 hectares. As per the 2015-16 final estimates, mostly Coffee, Potato and various Vegetable crops including Cabbage, Cauliflower were raised in this district. Cardamom, Pepper and Ginger are the major spices. In view of the escalated cost of cultivation for Potato and other root crops in recent years farmers switched over to plantation crops extensively. 4 In this district, Tea is the main plantation crop. There are more than 200 Tea Manufacturing Industries located in this ditrict both under Private and Government undertakings. The TANTEA in Gudalur block and UPASI in Coonoor block are the main Government undertakings. The Central Government establishments namely, Hindustan Photo Films and Cordite Factory in Aruvankadu are found in this district. TOURISM The main tourist attraction in this district is the Botanical Garden. Besides the Botanical Garden there are several other places attracts tourists. The important among them are the boat house near Bus-stand, the Rose Garden, the Deer Park, and the Doddabetta peak in Udhagamandalam. Sim‟s park, Pasture Institute, Kateri falls, Lamb‟s rock and Dolphin‟s nose are the Important Tourist spots in Coonoor. In Kotagiri block Kodanadu view point and St.Catherine‟s falls are the two main tourist attractions. The main tourist attractions in Gudalur block are Mudumalai wild Life Sanctuary and Theppakadu Elephant camp. 5 THE NILGIRIS DISTRICT MAP 6 SALIENT FEATURES OF THE DISTRICT The Nilgiris Hill forms part of the Western Ghats. The name Nilgiris was due to by the blue haze envelops the range with most distant hills of considerable size. Doddabetta, the highest peak in South India with an altitude of 2,595 Meters lies in this District. The other prominent hills of this District are Elk hills, Devarshola peak, Hulical hill and Cairn hill. There are many waterfalls in this District. Almost between every pair of mountain either river or stream flows. Important among them are the Pykara streams rising on the slopes of Mukkuruthi peak. The Segoor River has an origin near the slopes of Udhagamandalam. The Gathadahalla near Kotagiri and Coonoor is a tributary of river Bhavani. The important among the waterfalls are Kulacombai falls, St.Catherine’s falls, Upper and Lower Pykara falls, the Kateri falls, Kallaty and the laws falls. The main tourist attraction in this District is the Botanical Garden. Besides the Botanical Garden there are several other places attracts tourists. The important among them are the boat house near Bus-stand, the Rose Garden, the Deer Park, and the Doddabetta peak in Udhagamandalam. Sim’s park, Pasture Institute, Kateri falls, Lamb’s rock and Dolphin’s nose are the Important Tourist spots in Coonoor. In Kotagiri block Kodanadu view point and St.Catherine’s falls are the two main tourist attractions. The main tourist attractions in Gudalur block are Mudumalai wild Life Sanctuary and Theppakadu Elephant camp. In this District, Tea is the main plantation crop. There are more than 200 Tea Manufacturing Industries located in this ditrict both under Private and Government undertakings. The TANTEA in Gudalur block and UPASI in Coonoor block are the main Government undertakings. The Central Government establishments namely, Hindustan Photo Films and Cordite Factory in Aruvankadu are found in this District. Bird of paradise 7 STATISTICAL TABLE CONTENTS Table Page Contents No No I District Profile of The Nilgiris 13 1.AREA AND POPULATION 28 Area, Population, Literate, SCs and STs - Sexwise by Blocks 1.1 29 and Municipalities 1.2 Population by broad Industrial Categories of Workers 30 1.3 Population by Religion. 31 1.4 Population by age Groups. 31 1.5 Population of the District Decennial growth 32 1.6 Salient Features of 1991Census - Block and Municipalitywise 33 2. CLIMATE AND RAINFALL 2.1 Temparature at Select Stations 34 2.2 Monthly Rainfall Data 35 2.3 Time series data of rainfall by seasons 37 3. AGRICULTURE 3.1 Soil classification (With illustration by map) 38 3.2 Land Utilisation 40 3.3 Area and Production of Crops 42 3.4 Agricultural Machinery and implements 43 3.5 Number and area of Operational Holdings 44 3.6 Consumption of Chemical fertilisers and Pesticides 45 3.7 Regulated Markets 45 3.8 Crop Insurance scheme 46 3.9 Sericulture 46 4. IRRIGATION 4.1 Sources of Water Supply with Command Area - Block wise 46 4.2 Actual Area Irrigated ( Net and Gross ) by sources 47 4.3 Area Irrigated by Crops 47 4.4 Details of Dams, Tanks, wells and Borewells 48 6 5. ANIMAL HUSBANDARY 5.1 Live stock Population 49 5.2 Veterinary Institutions and Animals treated - Block wise. 49 5.3 No. of Veterinary Hospitals 50 5.4 Dairy Development 50 5.5 Poultry Development 53 5.6 Fisheries Development and Production 53 6.