Sunday, January 8, 2017

Virudhunagar – General Information

Virudhunagar – General Information
Virudhunagar District is an administrative district of Tamilnadu State in southern IndiaVirudhunagar is the district headquarters. Virudhunagar district was formed by the separation of Old Ramanathapuram District on 1987 into Ramanathapuram District, Sivagangai District and the west part as Virudhunagar District. Virudhunagar District was formerly called Karmavirer Kamarajar District. As of 2011, Virudhunagar district had a population of 1,942,288 with a sex-ratio of 1,007 females for every 1,000 males. Virudhunagar District occupies an area of 4288 km².

It is bounded by Madurai District on the north, Sivaganga District on the northeast, Ramanathapuram District on the southeast, Thoothukudi District to the south, Tirunelveli District to the southwest, Kerala state to the west, and Theni District to the northwest. The Head-Quarters of the district Virudhunagar is located at the latitude of 9N36 and 77E58 longitude. Contrary to the popular saying, that 'Virudhunagar produces nothing, but controls everything', Virudhunagar does produce a variety of things ranging from edible oil to plastic-wares. Sivakasi known as 'Little Japan' for its bustling activities in the cracker industry is located in this district.

Virudhunagar was a part of Tirunelveli district before 1910, after which it became a part of Ramanathapuram district. After being grafted out as a separate district during 1985, today it has eight taluks under its wings namely Aruppukkottai, Kariapatti, Rajapalayam, Sattur, Sivakasi, Srivilliputtur, Thiruchuli and Virudhunagar. Virudhunagar, formerly known as Virudhupatti, is a town and the administrative headquarters of the Virudhunagar district in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu.

It is located 506 km (314 mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai and 53 km (33 mi) south of Madurai. Virudhunagar emerged as an important trade centre during the British rule. The town is the birthplace of freedom fighter K. Kamaraj, former chief minister of Tamilnadu, and Bharat Ratna recipient. Located to the east of Kowsika River, Virudhunagar has an average elevation of 102 m (335 ft.) above sea level and is largely flat with no major geological formations. The town has a humid climate and receives 780 mm (31 in) rainfall annually.

History
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Demographics
According to 2011 census, Virudhunagar district had a population of 1,942,288, up from 1,751,301 in 2001, or about an 11% increase. The sex-ratio was 1,007 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929, but down from 1,012 in 2001. A total of 197,134 were under the age of six, constituting 100,827 males and 96,307 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 20.59% and .12% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the district was 72.02%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. The district had a total of 537,748 households. There were a total of 950,158 workers, comprising 52,361 cultivators, 168,174 main agricultural labourers, 30,292 in house hold industries, 603,239 other workers, 96,092 marginal workers, 4,792 marginal cultivators, 40,528 marginal agricultural labourers, 5,006 marginal workers in household industries and 45,766 other marginal workers.
Administration
The district is divided into two revenue divisions - Sivakasi and Aruppukkottai. The district comprises nine taluks: Aruppukkottai, Kariapatti, Rajapalayam, Sattur, Sivakasi, Srivilliputhur, Thiruchuli, Vembakkottai and Virudhunagar. Totally there are 600 revenue villages in this district. This district has nine Town Panchayats - Seithur, Vathirairuppu, Chettiarpatti, Kariapatti, Mamsapuram, Sundarapandiam, Mallankinaru, S.Kodikulam and W.Pudupatti. The Parliamentary Constituency number of Virudhunagar District is 34.
Forest
The forests are found on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Only 6.3% of the total geographical area of the district is under forests. Many rare and endemic varieties of flora and fauna are found along the mountain slopes. A wildlife sanctuary spread over 480 sq. kms was established in 1989 at Shenbagathoppu in Srivilliputtur taluk. This sanctuary is contiguous with the Periyar tiger reserve on the south-western side and the Megamalai reserve forest on the north-western side. The altitude varies from 100m to 2010 m above sea level. The sanctuary is home to the endangered, arboreal grizzled giant squirrel Ratufa macrora. The home range of an individual is between 0.197 hectares and 0.611 hectares.

The sanctuary also hosts a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. Resident and migratory elephants are common. Other animals sighted are tiger, leopard, Nilgiri tahr, (Hemitragus Hylocrius) Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Nilgiri langur, Lion-tailed macaque, common langur, slender loris, bonnet macaque, sloth bear and flying squirrel. Over 100 species of birds have been identified. The rare Great Indian horn bill is also found.

Special steps have been taken to conserve the forest areas in the sanctuary. The annual leases given for the collection of fruit and other minor forest produce has been stopped. Fruit bearing trees and other trees have been planted. This will increase the food sources as well as ensure continuity in the canopy. Soil conservation and water harvesting measures have been undertaken to improve the habitat. The best time to visit the sanctuary is throughout the year except for the months of March, April and May.

The forests of Alagarkoil valley in Srivilliputtur taluk and Sathuragiri are known for rare medicinal plants. The medicinal value of 275 plants has been recorded and reported. The forests host a rich variety of orchids and ferns. 

Economy
Virudhunagar district is leading in the country in the match industry, fireworks and printing, mostly concentrated in and around Sivakasi. Virudhunagar is the main market for oil, chicory, coffee seeds, dry chillies and pulses. There are two trade centres (Godowns) in the District one in Virudhunagar and another in Rajapalayam. Ginning factories, spinning mills, power loom and hand loom industries are also present in the district at Rajapalayam the second big weaving town in the state after Coimbatore. One of the cement plants of Madras Cements Ltd is located in RR Nagar near Virudhunagar another one located at Alankulam of Sivakasi Taluk.

Virudhunagar is a marketing and service town for the surrounding areas. As the administrative headquarters of the district, the economy of the town is based on the service sector, with 93 per cent of the workforce employed there as of 2001. The rest of the workforce is employed in agriculture, mining, quarrying, raising livestock, manufacturing, construction, trade and commerce. In 2001, 5.4 per cent of the workforce was employed in the industrial sector, making it the second-largest sector. There is little agricultural activity in the town on account of weather and irrigation facilities, and the town has a set of oil mills and match factories within the town limits. The major commercial activities are concentrated around Katchery Road, Pullalakottai Road and the main bazaar. In 2001, the percentage of the workforce in the service sector had increased from the previous decade. 

The agricultural output of the town is limited because the local geography and unfavorable climate for growing crops. All major nationalized banks like State Bank of IndiaIndian BankCentral Bank of IndiaPunjab National BankIndian Overseas Bank, and private banks like ICICI BankCity Union Bank and Axis Bank have branches in Virudhunagar. All of these banks have ATMs located in various parts of the town. Virudhunagar is famous for Commission Marketing's of all Kinds of Millets, Cotton, and Edible Oils.
Places of Interest
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Hotels List
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Connectivity
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