Theni district

This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Theni.
Theni district
தேனி மாவட்டம்
District

Bullock Cart Race
Nickname(s): GATEWAY TO TOURISM , THE HIDDEN PARADISE IN EARTH

Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 10°00′32″N 77°28′12″E / 10.009°N 77.47°E / 10.009; 77.47Coordinates: 10°00′32″N 77°28′12″E / 10.009°N 77.47°E / 10.009; 77.47
Country  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Theni
Established July 07, 1996
Headquarters Theni
Talukas Periyakulam, Theni, Andipatti, Uthamapalayam, Bodinayakanur
Government
 • Collector & District Magistrate N.Venkatachalam IAS[1]
Area
 • District 2,889 km2 (1,115 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
 • District 1,245,899
 • Density 430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
 • Metro 591,841
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 625531
Telephone code 04546
ISO 3166 code [[ISO 3166-2:IN|]]
Vehicle registration TN-60
Coastline 0 kilometres (0 mi)
Largest city Theni
Sex ratio M-50.5%/F-49.5% ♂/♀
Literacy 71.58%%
Legislature type elected
Legislature Strength 5
Precipitation 833.5 millimetres (32.81 in)
Avg. summer temperature 40.5 °C (104.9 °F)
Avg. winter temperature 15 °C (59 °F)
Website www.theni.nic.in

Theni District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in South east India. The city of Theni is the district headquarters. The district is divided into two natural divisions: The hilly areas constituted by parts of the three taluks Periyakulam, Uthamapalayam and Andipatti with thick vegetation and perennial streams from the hills on the western side and Cumbum valley which lies in Uthamapalayam taluk.[3] As of 2011, Theni district had a population of 1,245,899 with a sex-ratio of 991 females for every 1,000 males.

History

Theni District was formed by the bifurcation from erstwhile Madurai District as per G.O. Ms. No. 679 Revenue Department Dated July 7, 1996. Consequent to the bifurcation, one new Revenue Division with headquarters at Uthamapalayam and two new Taluks at Theni and Bodinayakanur were also created with effect from January 1, 1997. Theni Municipal town was only a firka headquarters until December 31, 1996. Consequent to the formation of the new District, Theni Municipal Town was upgraded as the Taluk and District headquarters on January 1, 1997.[4]

The region covered by present-day Theni District was scarcely populated before the 1900s. In 1886 Mullaperiyar dam project brings some part of water from Periyar River downhill to Cumbum Valley and merge into Mullayar River. This project helped more people to settle down in Cumbum Valley. Also to be noted that Theni is itself a small and less-known town by the 1900s. After the Mullay-Periyaar merger project lots of people from nearby dry arid regions (Sivakasi, Kovilpatti, Virudhunagar, Sattur and several nearby towns) settled in Cumbum-Valley (present day Theni District). So there was influx of people by the 1890s to 1920s. Bodi and Periyakulam are famous places at that age. Later Theni developed in rapid pace due to lots of business activities.

Geography

Manjalaru Dam.
Cumbum Valley.

The 2,889 km2 (1,115 sq mi) district lies at the foot of the Western Ghats between 9' 39' and 10' 30' North latitude and between 77' 00' and 78' 30' of East Longitude. Central location: 10°04′N 77°45′E / 10.067°N 77.750°E / 10.067; 77.750. The district is bounded by Dindigul District to the north, Madurai District to the east, Virudhunagar District to the southwest, and Idukki district of the Kerala State to the west. The district is home to Theni, Periyakulam, Bodinayakanur, Cumbum, Uthamapalayam, Kombai, Gudalur, Chinnamanur, Andipatti, Thevaram,Pottipuram,Ramakrishnapuram, Telugu dominant Lakshmipuram Ambasamudram,Govindanagaram,Srirengapuram,Venkadachalapuram and several other small villages likePathirakalipuram, SukkangalPatti, sadaiyalpatti, Meenatchipuram, Melasindalaichery, Kottur or Pallavarayan Patti a popular village in Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Kamatchipuram. It is diversified by several ranges and hills. A range of hills which runs parallel to Western Ghats from north to south separate it from the neighboring state of Kerala.[5]

Climate- In the plains, the temperatures range from a minimum of 13 °C to a maximum of 39.5 °C. In the hills the temperatures can range from as low as 4-5 °C to 25 °C. The district is known for its salubrious climate, hills and lakes.

Rivers and dams- The Vaigai River, Kottagudi River, Suruliyar River, Varaganathi River, Manjalar River and Varattaru River flow through the district. The important reservoirs in the district are Vaigai Dam, Manjalaru Dam, Sothuparai Dam, Sanmughanathi Dam, Manalaru Dam and Melmanalaru Dam.

Economy

Paddy fields across the backdrop of the Western Ghats

Its economy is mostly agricultural. Utilisation of land area for cultivation in Theni district is 40.33%.[3][6] The principal crop production (in tonnes) in 2005-2006 was: sugarcane 1,201,221, cotton 95,360 (561 bales of 170. kg lint each), rice (paddy) 66,093, millets and other cereals 57,081, pulses 6,677, groundnut 4,021 and gingelly 325.[7] Silk, Banana, Coconut, Tea, Coffee, Cardamom, Grapes and Mangoes are other main produce of the district.[8]

Cumbum Valley is a major centre for grape production with 4,000 small farmers producing over 90,000 tonnes of Muscat grapes, locally known as panneer dhrakshai, and about 10,000 tonnes of Thomson seedless grapes. The unique feature here is that the grapes are harvested throughout the year, while in most grape growing centres elsewhere the season ends with summer.

Grapes Cultivation.

Cotton Spinning Mills and Sugar Mills are the major industries in this district. In Andipatti Taluk Handloom weaving and power looms are flourishing. In Uthamapalayam Taluk, the Highwavis Estate produces an important amount of Tea. Bodinayakanur is a major market place for cardamom, coffee, tea and black pepper. This city is also called "Cardamom City" because of the large quantity of cardamom trade in this area. It has an auction centre for cardamom.[5]

The Periyar and Surliar Hydro Power Stations and the Vaigai Micro Hydro Power Station have 181 MW installed capacity and actual power generation of 494 MW in 1996 in this district.[3][9] Theni is one of the active business hubs in the western side of Tamil Nadu, inviting more industries to its locality. The district currently has 41.09 km of Metre gauge track serving 3 Railway Stations which connect to Madurai.[3][6]

Forest resources

Meghamalai Falls.

The forest area in Theni district is about 33.70%. There are 27 forest areas in Theni district constituting a total area of 795.81 km2 (307.26 sq mi). 19 areas fall under the Reserve Forest category with 255.44 km2 (98.63 sq mi), 8 areas under Reserve Land category with 540.37 km2 (208.64 sq mi). Total area of forest under green cover classification was 806.86 km2 (311.53 sq mi). Dense forest and Sparse forest are 292.81 km2 (113.05 sq mi) and 22.43 km2 (8.66 sq mi) respectively. There is no Unclassed Forest type in the district. About 44.65 km2 (17.24 sq mi) of Man Made Forest Area are cultivated in the district. Wattle, Softwood, Fuel wood, Cashew, Neem, Tamarind are the main forest plantation species in Theni district.[3]

There has been no conservation of biological resources in the district. The information of wild life census in Theni district is yet to be made available.[3]

Demographics

According to 2011 census, Theni district had a population of 1,245,899 with a sex-ratio of 991 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.The district has diverse ethnic group majority being Tamils[10] A total of 119,661 were under the age of six, constituting 61,873 males and 57,788 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 20.72% and .15% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the district was 69.84%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[10] The district had a total of 338,112 households. There were a total of 591,642 workers, comprising 36,371 cultivators, 275,585 main agricultural labourers, 12,714 in house hold industries, 205,921 other workers, 61,051 marginal workers, 1,996 marginal cultivators, 39,576 marginal agricultural labourers, 2,225 marginal workers in household industries and 17,254 other marginal workers.[11]

Tourism

Bodinayakanur, Periyakulam, Cumbum, Uthamapalayam and Theni are charming towns in the district. Resounding cascades, silver-lined clouds resting a top billiard green hill tops, sheer rock faces and temples of antiquity distinguish these places.

Places of interest-

Vaigai Dam
  1. Vaigai Dam (~10 km from Theni)
  2. Suruli falls (~50 km from Theni)
  3. Manjalar Dam(~35 km from Theni)
  4. Meghamalai Hill (~57 km from Theni)
  5. Peyathevar Canal,Gudalur Hill (~50 km from Theni)
  6. Bodi Mettu Hill (~40 km from Theni)
  7. Kumbakarai Falls (~15 km from Theni)
  8. Sothuparai Dam (~20 km from Theni)
  9. Shanmuganathi Dam (~50 km from Theni)
  10. Chinna Suruli falls (~15 km from Theni)
  11. Ramakkal Mettu(~30 km from Theni)
  12. Kurankani (~20 km from Theni)
  13. HighWeaves (~70 km from Theni)
Shanmuganathi Dam

Nearest Places in Kerala

  1. Thekkadi (~ 55 km from Theni)
  2. Munnar (~ 80 km from Theni)
  3. Kumily (~55 km from Theni)
Thousand Lingam Temple, Suruli Falls.

Festivals

Bullock cart race held in Theni district

References

  1. ↑ "Theni District". Theni District. 2014-12-28. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "2011 Census of India" (Excel). Indian government. 16 April 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 National Environmental Information System (India). "Environment Profile for Theni district" (PDF). ENVIS. pp. 1–29. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  4. ↑ M.Subramani M.A., M.Phil., P.G.D.J & M.C., D.L.L & A.L.,. "History of Theni District.". thenitimes.sitesled.com. pp. history p1/2. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  5. 1 2 M.Subramani M.A., M.Phil., P.G.D.J & M.C., D.L.L & A.L.,. "History of Theni District.". thenitimes.sitesled.com. pp. history p2/2. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  6. 1 2 p.29
  7. ↑ Collectorate staff (2006–2007). "District Profile Theni District" (PDF). District Collectorate, Theni. pp. 1–15. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  8. ↑ Collectorate staff (2006–2007). "District Statistical Handbook 2006-2007 Theni District" (PDF). District Collectorate, Theni. pp. 1–47. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  9. ↑ p.15
  10. 1 2 "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Theni district". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.

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