Krishnagiri district
Krishnagiri District (கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாவட்டம் in Tamil) is a district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The city of Krishnagiri is the district headquarters.
Name
'Krishna' refers to 'black' and 'giri' refers to 'hill'. Thus, 'Krishnagiri' refers to 'Black Hill'. This district is gifted with black granite hillocks and named as 'Krishnagiri'. Also, the region came under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya and hence it might also have been named after him.[1]
Location
Krishnagiri District is bounded by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai Districts in the East, Karnataka state in the west, Andhra Pradesh in the north and Dharmapuri District in the south India
Taluk H.Q | Latitude (N) | Longitude (E) |
---|---|---|
Krishnagiri Taluk | 12o 32’ 44” | 78o 13’ 36” |
Pochampalli Taluk | 12o 20’ | 78o 22’ |
Uthangarai Taluk | 12o 15’ | 78o 33’ |
Hosur Taluk | 12o 48’ | 77o 50’ 23” |
Denkanikottai Taluk | 12o 02’ | 77o 47’ |
History
Krishnagiri District has a prehistoric importance. Archaeological sources confirm the presence of habitats of man kind during Paleolithic, Neolithic and Mesolithic Ages. Various rock paintings and rock carvings of Indus Valley civilization and Iron Age seen in this district support the historical significance of this district. The heart of Krishnagiri,Kaveripattinam,Hosur and Uthangarai were known as 'Eyil Nadu', 'Murasu Nadu' and 'Kowoor Nadu' respectively. During the Chola period, Krishnagiri region was called 'Nigarili Chola Mandlam' and 'Vidhugadhazhagi Nallur'. Under the Nulamba rule it was popular as 'Nulambadi' according to historical sources. Hero stones were erected for those whose lost their lives in pursuit of adventure. There was a tradition of erecting memorial stones for people who sacrifice their lives for the sake of their kings since Sangam age. These memorial stones were called 'Navagandam'. Plenty of memorial stones available in this district speak volumes about the valour and virtues of the people.
Part of Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Mysore were together named as Thagadur Nadu in Sangam age. Krishnagiri was once ruled by Adhiyaman and hence also known as Adhiayaman Nadu. Adhiayaman, considered a noble king, offered 'Karunelli' (Goose Berry) to the great Tamil poetess "Avvaiyar", who adorned his court for her long life. This region was ruled by Pallavas, Gangas, Nulambas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijaya Nagar Emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Wudayars of Mysore and Nayaks of Madurai. The region of krishnagiri served as gateway of Tamil Nadu and a protective barrier for Southern region defending onslaughts from barriers with motives of imperialism and exploitation. Twelve Forts in this region were popularly known as 'Bara Mahal' Forts. These forts have withstood many attacks by the Mysore and Andhra rulers. Amongst them, Krishnagiri Fort became the first and forth most defensive place. The majestic fort built on the Krishnagiri hill by the Vijayanagar Emperors, stands as testimony even now. Kundani, a place in Krishnagiri District was once the head quarters of the Hoysala King Veera Ramanathan in the 13th Centuty AD. Jagadevarayan, a Hoysala king made 'Jagadevi' (one of the 'Bara Mahal' forts) as his capital.
During the I Mysore War the British troops passed through Krishnagiri to attack Hyder Ali's Forces at Kaveripattinam. The British army was defeated here. In the II Mysore War the entire region of Salem and Karnataka came under Hyder Ali's control. Hyder Ali fought bravely against the English at Krishnagiri. In the II Mysore war, after the Treaty of Srirangapattinam, the entire region of Salem and Bara Mahal were surrendered to the British. In 1792 AD, Captain Alexander Reed became the first District Collector of this region. Under the diplomacy of Robert Clive, the then Governor of Madras Presidency, Krishnagiri became the headquarters of Bara Mahal. A mint was established at krishnagiri in 1794 AD. Gold, silver and copper coins were forged here. Rayakottai, once a strong hold of the British, lost its importance for defense by 1880 AD. Many soldiers from krishnagiri region took part in the World War and lost their lives. Even today a large number of youth from this district are in the services of the Indian army. Krishnagiri district had its fair share of freedom fighters in the Indian freedom struggle. Prominent amongst them was Dr. C. Rajagopalachari, who, from a small village in this district rose to become the first Governor General of independent India and also the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Till the year 2004 Krishnagiri was a part of the Dharmapuri district. It was then separated from Dharmapuri district and formed as the 30th district separate district of Tamil Nadu in 2004.
Geography & Climate
Krishnagiri district covers an area of 5143 km². Krishnagiri district is bound by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai districts to the East, State of Karnataka to the west, State of Andhra Pradesh to the North and Dharmapuri District to the south. This district is elevated from 300m to 1400m above the mean sea level. It is located between 11º 12'N to 12º 49'N Latitude, 77º 27'E to 78º 38'E Longitude. It basically has a mountainous terrain. The flatlands are irrigated by the South Pennar River.
The eastern part of the district experiences hot climate and the western part contrastingly has a pleasant climate. The average rainfall is 830 mm per annum. March - June is the summer season. July - November is the Rainy Season and during December - February winter prevails.
Year | Rain fall (in mm) |
---|---|
2001-2002 | 825.700 |
2002-2003 | 521.600 |
2003-2004 | 1075.600 |
2004-2005 | 230.620 |
2005-2006 | 1262.800 |
Net Cultivated, Irrigated, Double , Multiple Cropped, Cultivable Wasteland, Water land and Forest
Classification | Geo. | Extent (Ha) |
---|---|---|
Forest | 202409 | 39% |
Banner and uncultivable waste | 24194 | 5% |
Land put to non agricultural uses | 21466 | 4% |
Cultivable waste | 6341 | 1% |
Permanent pastures and other grassing lands | 7378 | 1% |
Divisions
Krishnagiri district comprises five taluks.
- Krishnagiri
- Hosur
- Pochampalli
- Uthangarai
- Denkanikotta
ten panchayat union
- Kelamangalam
- Thali
- Krishnagiri
- shoolagiri
- Vepanapalli
- Hosur
- Kaveripattinam
- Bargur
- Mathur
- Uthangarai
Basic Infrastructures
The following major roads pass through Krishnagiri
Highways
roadway | NH | kilometers |
---|---|---|
Kanniyakumari – Kashmir | 7 | 70.185 |
Krishnagiri – Ranipet | 46 | 21.400 |
Pondichery – Krishnagiri | 66 | 58.969 |
Krishnagiri – Kuppam | 219 | 19 |
Sarjapur – Bagalur – Hosur | 207 | 19 |
Railways
Salem, Bangalore Broad gauge line run through Hosur. A railway line between Jolarpet and Hosur (Via) Krishnagiri will pave way for further improvement of industrial growth in Hosur. This will link Chennai city and its port facilities with the growing town of Hosur, which is also a hub for horticulture crops. However this will take some time for realization.
Irrigation (Canal, Tube Wells, Wells, Tanks) etc
The Public Works Department and Panchayat union tanks, ponds and supply channels plays an important role in the irrigation of Krishnagiri district. But they have to be desilted and strengthened. New Check Dams and flood protection walls have to be constructed for water conservation.
Rural Electrification
Street lighting in rural areas is vested with the Panchayat Administration. The panchayats looks after the erection of new streetlights in the hamlets, payment of current consumption charges from the panchayat funds. Also the Procurement of tube lights, sodium vapor lights and other electrical appliances are done by the connected Panchayats itself. Now solar lights are also being utilized to cut down on consumption cost. Overall, 95% of the hamlets are covered under Rural Electrification.
Power Supply Position
Generally power supply position in Krishnagiri District is normal. But in some areas low voltage problem is felt, especially in the hamlets in ghat section. To minimize the current consumption charges in the Panchayat, efforts were taken to utilize solar power lights as an alternate and renewable source in Krishnagiri District.
Educational and Vocational Training Institutes etc
There is a Community Polytechnic run by the Government in Krishnagiri District. Also, the TAHDCO (Tamilnadu Adi Dravidar Housng Development Corporation) offers Nursing and Catering Training under Vocational Training courses through private training institutions to people belonging to SC / ST communities. Also skill training is given to scavengers under NSLRS scheme by TAHDCO. The Government as well as private organizations in Krishnagiri District run the following schools and training institutions.
Education centers | no. |
---|---|
Primary Schools | 988 |
Middle schools | 107 |
High schools | 113 |
Hr. Sec. Schools | 72 |
Industrial Training Institutions | 5 |
Music school | 1 |
Teachers Training School | 1 |
Polytechnic | 4 |
Engineering College | 2 |
Arts & Science College | 5 |
Demographics
The district has a population of 15,46,700. It has a literacy of 58.11%, one of the lowest in the state. It is only 16.42% urbanised as per Census 2001, while Tamil Nadu state is the most urbanized state in India.
Demographic of Krishnagiri district - Census 2001[1]
Parameter | Figure / Percentage(%) |
---|---|
Total Population | 15,61,118 |
Population Male | 8,10,136 |
Population Female | 7,50,892 |
Urban Population | 2,45,430 |
Rural Population | 13,15,688 |
Density of Population per Sq. Km. | 301 |
Sex Ratio | 944/1,000 |
Birth Rate | 21.5% |
Death Rate | 4.1% |
Infant Mortality Rate | 38.2% |
Literacy Rate | 58.11% |
Literacy Rate Men | 67.11% |
Literacy Rate Women | 48.62% |
The district exhibits the confluence of different languages and religions. Three languages namely Tamil, Telugu and Kannada are predominantly spoken in this district. Major religions are Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
Economy
- Krishnagiri district is famous for Mangoes. Krishangiri district is also famous for the Granite Industry with quarries and processing units spread around the district. Hosur, one of the most industrialized places in the state is located in this district.
- Krishnagiri is considered a backward district in the state wherein the whole revenue is generated from Hosur situated in krishnagiri district.
Agriculture
The important crops of Krishnagiri District are Paddy, Maize, Ragi, Banana, Sugarcane, Cotton, Tamarind, Coconut, Mango, Groundnut, Vegetables and Flowers. The district has an excellent scope for agri business. Regional Agricultural Research Center of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is functioning efficiently at Paiyur in Kaveripattinam union since 1973 AD. This center is functioning in 18.5 hec. of land. It helps the peasants to develop and adopt the modern technique of cultivation. It has developed hybrid seeds by research which yields more tonnage and good quality.
production | area(hectares) |
---|---|
paddy | 20,687 |
ragii | 48,944 |
other minor crops | 11,937 |
pulses | 48,749 |
sugarcane | 4,078 |
Mangos | 30,017 |
Coconut | 13,192 |
Tamarind | 1,362 |
Other Crops | 43,199 |
Mining and Forestry based activities
Mining In Krishnagiri District, quarry leases are being granted for granite in Patta lands and rough stone and earth quarry leases are being granted in Government and patta lands under Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1959. Public works Department (WRO wing) is operating sand quarry in riverbeds. A state owned corporation called Tamil Nadu Metals and Mineral Ltd is also earning quarry / Mining grants etc in Government lands. The total mineral revenue realized during the year 2006-07 is Rs. 7.45 crores. It is ascertained that nearly 7,000 workers are being engaged in quarry activities.
Forestry based activities As Krishnagiri District has 2,02,409 hectares of forest land which constitutes 39% of the total geographical area, there are abundant produce rom the forest areas. Bamboo products, honey collection and tamarind production are the forestry land activities found in Anchetty, Denkanikotta, Thally and Berigai areas. This has generated employment opportunities to thousands of rural people in these areas.
Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
Fisheries
Details about the revenue in Fisheries up to 15.07.2007
Name of the Reservoir | Target(MT) | Achievement | Revenue Collection (Rs) | Fishermen benefited / Amount |
---|---|---|---|---|
Krishnagiri Dam | 51.0 | 6.810 | 4844 | 23/4844 |
Pambaru Dam | 30 | 2.018 | 13570 | 16/13570 |
Kelavarppalli Dam | 29.0 | 15.110 | 95387 | 30/95387 |
Barur Lake | 284.0 | 17.600 | 124600 | 37/124600 |
Chinnaru Dam | 6.8 | 0.931 | 10410 | 5/10410 |
Mayil Ravanan Lake | 3.0 | 0.164 | 820 | 1/820 |
Ramanayakan Lake | 4.0 | 0.273 | 2305 | 1/2305 |
Animal Husbandry
In Krishnagiri District the annual income in the Animal Husbandry Sector as follows for the year 2006-07.
Classification | Income received |
---|---|
Milk | 24,94,926 |
Egg | 3,88,192 |
Pork | 1,54,496 |
Sale of livestocks | 4,21,578 |
Miscellaneous | 13,55,244 |
Artificial Insemination | 5,79,898 |
LN 2 (Liquid Nitrogen) | 1,27,819 |
Total income | 55,22,153 |
References
External links