67-620: Kudankulam is a town in the Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu , India . It is 20 km northeast of Kanyakumari , 30 km from Nagercoil , 70 km from Tirunelveli and about 105 km from Thiruvananthapuram . The town is notable as the construction site of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant . It is also the location of hundreds of windmills used for power generation, eight of which are on
134-514: A 2010 report, following is the distribution of faunal species in the Western Ghats apart from more than 6,000 insect species. The Western Ghats region has one of the highest tiger population, estimated at 985 in 2022. The Western Ghats ecoregion has the largest Indian elephant population in the wild, with an estimated 11,000 individuals across eight distinct populations. Other mammals include endangered and vulnerable species such as
201-408: A 2014 report, at least 227 species of reptiles are found in the Western Ghats. The major population of the snake family Uropeltidae is restricted to the region. Several endemic reptile genera and species occur here, with the region having a significant population of mugger crocodiles . The amphibians of the Western Ghats are diverse and unique, with a high proportion of species being endemic to
268-774: A large agricultural area. Tirunelveli is the Administration centre of Tirunelveli District. It is a part of the Tirunelveli Lok Sabha constituency. Tirunelveli Revenue Division : Tirunelveli , Palayamkottai , Manur Cheranmahadevi Revenue Division : Cheranmadevi , Ambasamudram , Nanguneri , Radhapuram , Thisayanvilai New Proposals for taluks Since, Tenkasi District was bifurcated from Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli District has only one Lok Sabha constituency and seven Assembly constituencies. Tirunelveli Lok Sabha constituency : According to 2011 census , Tirunelveli district (undivided) had
335-720: A large number of devotees from the neighbouring villages. With the kind permission of the HRE department of the State Government, the Melaseval Bhaktha Jana Seva Trust maintains the temple with daily rituals and regular poojas. The Uriyadi festival during Krishnashtami is an important event in this small village. Western Ghats The Western Ghats , also known as the Sahyadri , is a mountain range that stretches 1,600 km (990 mi) along
402-454: A large number of different species of flora and fauna, most of which are endemic to this region. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats. The region was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The name Western Ghats derives from the word ghat and the cardinal direction in which it is located with respect to the Indian mainland. Ghat , a term used in
469-404: A population of 1,636,438. Bifurcated Tirunelveli district has 823,277 males and 813,161 females for a sex ratio of 988 females per 1000 males. 906,471 (55.39%) of the population lived in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 276,814 (16.92%) and 6,614 (0.40%) of the population respectively. Tamil is the predominant language, spoken by 98.34% of the population. The district
536-432: A population of 3,077,233 with a sex-ratio of 1,023 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929. A total of 321,687 were under the age of six, constituting 164,157 males and 157,530 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 18.51% and 0.33% of the population, respectively. The average literacy of the district was 73.88%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. The district had
603-537: A school to teach girls lace-making at Idyangudi. The Government of Tamil Nadu set up a State Board of Technical Education and Training and a separate Directorate of Technical Education, effective 1 October 1957. Since then, the Directorate of Technical Education has assumed the administration of both engineering colleges and polytechnics. The Government College of Engineering was established in October 1981 to fulfill
670-425: A total of 815,528 households. There were a total of 1,436,454 workers, comprising 107,943 cultivators, 321,083 main agricultural labourers, 215,667 in house hold industries, 626,714 other workers, 165,047 marginal workers, 7,772 marginal cultivators, 58,680 marginal agricultural labourers, 23,997 marginal workers in household industries and 74,598 other marginal workers. After the bifurcation, Tirunelveli district had
737-464: A unique type of stunted tropical montane forest found in the valleys between the mountains. Earlier sources indicated about four to five thousand vascular plant species of which nearly one-third was endemic to the region. Later studies and publications have recorded 7,402 species of flowering plants occurring in the Western Ghats of which 5,588 were described as indigenous, 376 are naturalized exotics, and 1,438 species are cultivated or planted. Among
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#1732791512464804-609: A year, the sun's rays fall straight on the Lingam in the morning. Annual festivals are conducted at both these temples by people to whom the deity is kuladeivam (family deity). Dolotsavam utsavam on every month, on the day of Star ROHINI at the Navaneethakrishnan temple is quite familiar, and many childless couples take part in this pooja. Garuda Sevai is conducted on all four Saturdays of the Tamil month of Purattasi and attracts
871-579: Is a coastal district, Tirunelveli is also involved in fishery development and production. For the period 2005–2006, the total inland fish catch was 1,874 tonnes, and the total marine fish catch was 7,014 tonnes. India Cements Limited is the third largest cement company in India, and began at Sankarnagar in Tirunelveli in 1949. The district is also rich in minerals, with a total of 407 mines and quarries. Limestone , granite and garnet sand are some of
938-631: Is around 1,200 m (3,900 ft). The Western Ghats form one of the major watersheds of India, feeding many perennial river systems that drain almost 40% of the land area of the country. Because of the higher elevation of the Deccan plateau on the west, most rivers flow from eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal , resulting in chiselled eastern slopes and steeper western slopes facing the Arabian Sea . The Western Ghats play an important role in determining
1005-482: Is just 38 kilometres (24 mi) away. About 35 species of birds visit this calm but congenial village for breeding. The painted storks are coming from North India and East European Countries to this place. Similarly the flamingoes which flew in mainly from the Rann of Kutch have hatched and reared their young in the village. The Nellaiappar Temple is located at Tirunelveli . It is rooted in tradition and history, and
1072-483: Is known for its musical pillars and other sculpted figures. The nearest airport is Tuticorin Airport (TCR) at Vagaikulam , a 30-minute drive (32 km) from Tirunelveli. The Navaneethakrishnan Temple at Melasevel Village, 16 km (9.9 mi) from Tirunelveli Town on the road leading to Ambasamudram, is around 730 years old. Adhithyavarneshwar Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva is also famous in this village. Twice
1139-589: Is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state in India . It is the largest district in terms of area with Tirunelveli as its headquarters. The district was formed on 1 September 1790 by the British East India Company (on behalf of the British government) and comprised the present Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi , Tenkasi and parts of Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram district . As of 2011,
1206-400: Is one of the major producers of wind energy in the state. The Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant project is being undertaken (with Russian aid) at the village of Koodankulam , 24 kilometres (15 mi) north-east of Kanyakumari. Koodankulam also has windmills used for power generation with installed capacity of 2,000 MW. Tirunelveli district has a literacy rate of 76.97%, which is above
1273-400: Is well-connected by a network of roads and railways. Tirunelveli city serves as the main junction. It has no airports; the nearest airports are at Tuticorin (32 kilometres (20 mi) away), Madurai (150 kilometres (93 mi)) and Thiruvananthapuram (158 kilometres (98 mi)). The district has a total of 27 railway stations. The tables below list the lengths of roads and railways in
1340-624: The Cyprinids (72 species), hillstream loaches (34 species; including stone loaches , now regarded a separate family), Bagrid catfishes (19 species), and Sisorid catfishes (12 species). The region is home to several ornamental fishes like the Denison (or red line torpedo) barb , melon barb , several species of Dawkinsia barbs, zebra loach , Horabagrus catfish, dwarf pufferfish and dwarf Malabar pufferfish . The rivers are also home to Osteobrama bakeri , and larger species such as
1407-484: The Eastern Ghats at Nilgiris before continuing south. The Western Ghats have many peaks that rise above 2,000 m (6,600 ft), with Anamudi (2,695 m (8,842 ft)) being the highest peak. The Western Ghats form one of the major watersheds of India, feeding many perennial rivers. These major river systems drain almost 40% of the land area of the country. The major river systems originating in
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#17327915124641474-552: The Government Law College, Tirunelveli was established. Tirunelveli Medical College and its teaching hospital are located at Palayamkottai. It was established in 1965 and affiliated with the University of Madras. The Government Siddha Medical College was established at Palayamkottai on 30 November 1964. Technical education in the district dates to 1844, when Mrs. Caldwell, wife of Bishop Robert Caldwell began
1541-766: The Indian subcontinent , depending on the context, could either refer to a range of stepped hills such as the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats, or a series of steps leading down to a body of water or wharf . As per linguist Thomas Burrow , the word Ghat was derived from similar words used in various Dravidian languages such as kattu (mountain side, ridge, or dam) in Tamil , katte (dam), gatta (mountain), and gattu (bank or shore) in Kannada , and katta (dam), and gatte (shore or embankment) in Telugu . The ancient name for
1608-467: The Indomalayan realm , with the northern portion of the range generally drier than the southern portion. These include the following: Other types of ecosystems include dry deciduous forests on the leeward rain shadow region, scrub forests at the foothills, peat bogs , and swamps . Montane grasslands are found in high altitude locations in the south Western Ghats interspersed with sholas ,
1675-667: The Malabar snakehead , and Malabar mahseer . A few are adapted to an underground life, including some Rakthamichthys swamp eels, and the catfish Horaglanis and Kryptoglanis . 97 freshwater fish species were considered threatened in 2011, including 12 critically endangered, 54 endangered, and 31 vulnerable. The reservoirs in the region are important for their commercial and sport fisheries of rainbow trout , mahseer , and common carp . There are more than 200 freshwater fish species including 35 also known from brackish or marine water. Several new species have been described from
1742-534: The University of Madras . Upon the creation of Madurai Kamaraj University in 1966, they were affiliated with MKU from 1966 to 1990. In 1990, their affiliation transferred to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University . The Regional Directorate of the Collegiate Education in the district was formed on 10 September 1979 to regulate colleges in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts . In 1996,
1809-448: The crimson-backed sunbird . There is a higher fish species richness in the southern part of the Western Ghats. There are 13 genera entirely restricted to the Western Ghats ( Betadevario , Dayella , Haludaria , Horabagrus , Horalabiosa , Hypselobarbus , Indoreonectes , Lepidopygopsis , Longischistura , Mesonoemacheilus , Parapsilorhynchus , Rohtee , and Travancoria ). The most species-rich families are
1876-431: The lion-tailed macaque , Nilgiri tahr , leopard , Nilgiri langur , dhole , and gaur . The endemic Nilgiri tahr, which was on the brink of extinction, has recovered and had an estimated 3,122 individuals in 2015. Smaller endemic species include the Malabar large-spotted civet , Nilgiri marten , brown palm civet , stripe-necked mongoose , Indian brown mongoose , small Indian civet , and leopard cat . As per
1943-447: The tropical rainforests of India . New frog species have continued to be discovered in the 21st century. Frogs of the genera Micrixalus , Indirana , and Nyctibatrachus , toads like Pedostibes , Ghatophryne , and Xanthophryne , arboreal frogs like Ghatixalus , Mercurana , and Beddomixalus , and microhylids like Melanobatrachus are endemic to this region. There are at least 19 species of birds endemic to
2010-586: The western coast of the Indian peninsula . Covering an area of 160,000 km (62,000 sq mi), it traverses the states of Gujarat , Maharashtra , Goa , Karnataka , Kerala , and Tamil Nadu . The range forms an almost continuous chain of mountains along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau , from the Tapti River to Swamithoppe in Kanyakumari district at the southern tip of
2077-503: The 334 Western Ghats butterfly species, 316 species have been reported to occur in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve . The Western Ghats are home to 174 species of odonates (107 dragonflies and 67 damselflies ), including 69 endemics. Most of the endemic odonate are closely associated with rivers and streams, while the non-endemics are typically generalists . There are several species of leeches found all along
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2144-665: The Ambasamudram Taluk and is situated 50 km (31 mi) from Tirunelveli. The site is popular for its tourists attractions such as the Thamirabarani River, Agasthiyar Falls , the Shiva Temple, Papanasam dam and the hydroelectric power plant. A tiny village in the far south, Koonthankulam in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli District is emerging as a new favourite of the migratory birds. It
2211-541: The Arabian Sea is known as the Western Coastal Plains . The mountains can be roughly divided into three parts: the northern section with an elevation ranging from 900–1,500 m (3,000–4,900 ft), the middle section starting from the south of Goa with a lower elevation of less than 900 m (3,000 ft), and the southern section where the altitude rises again. The Western Ghats meet with
2278-471: The Government of Tamil Nadu decided to name each district according to the name of the headquarters town, so the region's name changed from Tirunelveli-Kattabomman to Tirunelveli . On 18 July 2019 the district was again bifurcated to form a new Tenkasi district with Tenkasi as its district capital. The district is located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. It has borders with Tenkasi district to
2345-499: The Indian peninsula. The Western Ghats meet with the Eastern Ghats at Nilgiris before continuing south. Geologic evidence indicates that the mountains were formed during the break-up of the supercontinent of Gondwana . The mountains came along the west coast of India somewhere in the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods when India separated from the African continent. The mountains can be roughly divided into three parts:
2412-991: The Manimuthar Dam and the Manimuthar Water Falls, the Manjolai area comprises tea plantations, small settlements, the Upper Kodaiyar Dam and a windy view point called Kuthiravetti. The whole of the Manjolai Estates and the tea plantations are operated by The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd on forest land leased by the Government of Tamil Nadu. There are three tea estates within the Manjolai area: Manjolai Estate, Manimutharu Estate and Oothu Estate. The Estates are located at elevations ranging from 700 metres (2,300 ft) to 1,300 metres (4,300 ft). The 900 square kilometres (350 sq mi) Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
2479-653: The US. The state government is planning light manufacturing, design and assembly facilities, modern infrastructure facilities and amenities in this SEZ to attract a workforce from around the world. Located between 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) of elevation, the Manjolai area is set deep within the Western Ghats within the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Tirunelveli District. Located on top of
2546-523: The Western Ghats are the Godavari , Kaveri , and Krishna . Most rivers flow eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal owing to the steeper gradient moving from east to west, and many smaller streams drain the region, often carrying a large volume of water during the monsoon months. The streams and rivers give rise to numerous waterfalls in the region. The rivers have been dammed for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes, with major reservoirs spread across
2613-510: The Western Ghats including the endangered rufous-breasted laughingthrush , the vulnerable Nilgiri wood-pigeon , white-bellied shortwing , and broad-tailed grassbird , the near threatened grey-breasted laughingthrush , black-and-rufous flycatcher , Nilgiri flycatcher , and Nilgiri pipit , and the least concern Malabar (blue-winged) parakeet , Malabar grey hornbill , white-bellied treepie , grey-headed bulbul , rufous babbler , Wayanad laughingthrush , white-bellied blue-flycatcher , and
2680-852: The Western Ghats were severely fragmented due to clear-felling for plantations. The introduction of non-native species threatened the rare endemic species and habitat specialists, which depleted faster than other species. Complex and species-rich habitats like the tropical rainforests are much more adversely affected than other habitats. The primary threats to fauna were not only from habitat loss , but also from overexploitation , illicit grazing , mining , poaching , and introduced species . The Government of India has established many protected areas , including two biosphere reserves , 13 national parks to restrict human access, several wildlife sanctuaries to protect specific endangered species, and many reserve forests . The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve , comprising 5,500 km (2,100 sq mi) of
2747-563: The Western Ghats, but the actual number is likely higher. This includes 28 endemics. Among the threatened freshwater molluscs are the mussel species Pseudomulleria dalyi , which is a Gondwanan relict, and the snail Cremnoconchus , which is restricted to the spray zone of waterfalls. According to the IUCN, four species of freshwater molluscs are considered endangered and three are vulnerable. An additional 19 species are considered data deficient. There are roughly 6,000 insect species. Of
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2814-443: The Western Ghats. Historically, the Western Ghats were covered in dense forests. which formed the natural habitat for wildlife along with the native tribal people . Its inaccessibility made it difficult for people from the plains to cultivate the land and build settlements. After the establishment of British colonial rule in the region, large swathes of territory were cleared for agricultural plantations and timber. The forests in
2881-416: The climate and seasons in India. It blocks the rain-bearing monsoon winds flowing eastward from the Arabian Sea, resulting in rainfall along the western coast. By the time the air rises above the mountains, it becomes dry, forming a rain shadow region with very little rainfall on the leeward side towards the interior of the Deccan plateau. The Western Ghats region is a biodiversity hotspot . It contains
2948-633: The district. Canals, wells, tanks and reservoirs are the sources of irrigation in the district. As of 2005–2006, the district had a total of 151 canals with a length of 499 kilometres (310 mi), 85,701 irrigation wells, 640 tube wells , eight reservoirs and 2,212 tanks. The district also has 21,776 wells used for domestic purposes. Electricity is provided by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The district has hydroelectric power plants and windmills, with an installed capacity of 1,089.675 megawatt-hours (3,922.83 GJ); it
3015-458: The equator receive lower annual rainfall and have rain spells lasting several months in a year. The Western Ghats region is a biodiversity hotspot . It consists of nearly 30% of all the species of flora and fauna found in India, most of which are endemic to this region. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats consist of four tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf terrestrial ecoregions of
3082-659: The forests, forms the largest contiguous protected area in the Western Ghats. In August 2011, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), appointed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to assess the biodiversity and environmental issues of the Western Ghats, designated the entire region as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and assigned three levels of Ecological Sensitivity to its different regions. Subsequent committees formed have recommended various suggestions to protect
3149-433: The grounds of the nuclear plant. These wind turbines have a total capacity of 2000 MW and represent one of the largest wind farms in India. Since the beginning of 2011, Kudankulam has been embroiled in a nuclear plant controversy over fears of the plant safety. 8°11′24″N 77°42′01″E / 8.19013°N 77.700248°E / 8.19013; 77.700248 Tirunelveli district Tirunelveli district
3216-555: The indigenous species, 2,253 species are endemic to India and of them, 1,273 species are exclusively confined to the Western Ghats. 645 tree species were recorded with a high endemic ratio of 56%. There are 850 – 1000 species of bryophytes including 682 species of mosses (28% endemic) and 280 species of liverworts (43% endemic), 277 species of pteridophytes and 949 species of lichens (26.7% endemic). The Western Ghats are home to thousands of species of fauna, including at least 325 globally threatened species . As per
3283-544: The majority of the rainfall to the plains up north. Climate in the mountains shows variations with altitude across the range. Due to its physical proximity to the equator and the Arabian Sea, the region experiences a warm and humid tropical climate throughout the year. Mean temperatures range from 20 °C (68 °F) in the south to 24 °C (75 °F) in the north. Subtropical or temperate climates, and occasional near-zero temperatures during winter are experienced in regions with higher elevations. The coldest period in
3350-538: The minerals mined or produced in the district. Major industries include textile, food and forestry products. A Special Economic Zone ( SEZ ) was introduced at Nanguneri in 2001. A pharma park and windmill spare-parts and television-manufacturing factories have been planned in this SEZ. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has planned a ₹700-crore high-tech industrial park in Nanguneri in association with INFAC Group and Axes Technologies Inc of
3417-647: The modern Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts and parts of the Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts. In 1910, Ramanathapuram District was formed from portions of the Madurai and Tirunelveli Districts, which comprised portions of the modern Virudhunagar District . After the Independence of India , Tirunelveli District was bifurcated on 20 October 1986 to Nellai-Kattabomman district (Tirunelveli) and Chidambaranar district (Tuticorin). Subsequently,
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#17327915124643484-467: The mountain range is Sahyadri , derived from Sanskrit , meaning benevolent or tolerant mountain. The Western Ghats are the mountainous faulted , and eroded edge of the Deccan Plateau . Geologic evidence indicates that they were formed during the break-up of the super-continent of Gondwana . After the break-up, the Deccan plateau was formed by basalt rocks, which caused the western side to rise at an elevation. Geophysical evidence indicates that
3551-438: The mountains came along the west coast of India somewhere in the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods when India separated from the African continent. Several faults triggered the formation of Western Ghats, then interspersed with valleys and river gorges. Because of the elevation of the Deccan plateau on the west, most rivers flow from west to east, resulting in chiselled eastern slopes and steeper western slopes facing
3618-558: The needs of people in the southern region. In 1986, the Revenue district of Tirunelveli was divided into Tirunelveli and Thoothukkudi districts. There are three education districts. Tirunelveli has been an agricultural area throughout its history. The district is a major producer of rice, coconuts , bananas, spices and forest-based products. The district is home to almost 50% of the buffalo population of Tamil Nadu. The district's livestock and poultry populations are as follows: Since it
3685-450: The north, Kanyakumari District to the south and Thoothukudi District to the east and Thiruvananthapuram district and Kollam district of Kerala to the west. The district covers an area of 3,907 square kilometres (1,509 sq mi). It lies between 8°05' and 9°30' north latitude and 77°05' and 78°25' east longitude. Tirunelveli has rainfall in all seasons (953.1 millimetres (37.52 in) in 2005 and 2006), and benefits from both
3752-724: The northeast and southwest monsoons. Most precipitation came from the northeast monsoon (548.7 millimetres (21.60 in)) followed by the southwest monsoon (147.8 millimetres (5.82 in)) and summer rains (184.2 millimetres (7.25 in)). The district is irrigated by several rivers originating in the Western Ghats , such as the Pachaiyar River , which flows into the perennial Thamirabarani River . The Thamirabarani and Manimuthar Rivers have many dams, with reservoirs providing water for irrigation and power generation. The Thamirabarani River provides consistent irrigation to
3819-437: The northern section with an elevation ranging from 900–1,500 m (3,000–4,900 ft), the middle section starting from the south of Goa with a lower elevation of less than 900 m (3,000 ft), and the southern section where the altitude rises again. The Western Ghats have several peaks that rise above 2,000 m (6,600 ft), with Anamudi (2,695 m (8,842 ft)) being the highest peak. The average elevation
3886-409: The region are the wettest monsoon period in the southern part of the mountain range. Annual rainfall in this region averages 100 cm (39 in) to 900 cm (350 in), with an average rainfall of 250 cm (98 in). The total amount of rain does not depend on the spread of the area; areas in northern Maharashtra receive heavy rainfall followed by long dry spells, while regions closer to
3953-428: The region since the last decade (e.g., Dario urops and S. sharavathiensis ). Seasonal rainfall patterns in the Western Ghats necessitate a period of dormancy for its land snails , resulting in their high abundance and diversity, including at least 258 species of gastropods from 57 genera and 24 families. A total of 77 species of freshwater molluscs (52 gastropods and 25 bivalves ) have been recorded from
4020-416: The region. The Western Ghats play an important role in determining the climate and seasons in India. During the dry summer months of April – May, heat builds up on the land, which draws air from the sea. The air, which picks up moisture along the way and flows eastward from the Arabian Sea, is blocked by the Western Ghats. The rising air cools and brings about orographic precipitation along
4087-680: The sea. The Western Ghats extend from the Satpura Range south of the Tapti River in the north and runs approximately 1,600 km (990 mi) to the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, where it ends at the Marunthuvazh Malai at Swamithoppe in Kanyakumari district . It covers an area of 160,000 km (62,000 sq mi), traversing across the Indian states of Gujarat , Maharashtra , Goa , Karnataka , Kerala , and Tamil Nadu . The Western Ghats form an almost continuous chain of mountains running parallel to
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#17327915124644154-582: The state average. As of 2005–2006, the district had a total of 2,494 schools. It has one University, the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU). There are also four Government colleges, eleven Government-sponsored colleges and seven private colleges. Tirunelveli has 25 arts and science colleges, 3 medical colleges, 20 engineering colleges and a law school. There are 1,501 primary schools, 431 middle schools and 185 higher secondary schools. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, which
4221-486: The undivided district (along with Tenkasi) had a population of 30,77,233. Under the rule of the Pandyan Dynasty , the district was known as Thenpandiyanadu . Tirunelveli was the second Capital of the Pandyan Dynasty . The Chola dynasty then named it Mudikonda Cholamandalam . The Madurai Nayaks called it Tirunelveli Seemai . Under the British East India Company , it was Tinnevelly district , which included
4288-399: The western coast of India along the Arabian Sea . The average elevation is around 1,200 m (3,900 ft). There are three gaps in the mountain range: the northernmost Goa Gap , formed 65–80 million years ago (Mya), the oldest and widest Palghat Gap , formed 500 Mya, and the southernmost, narrowest Shencottah Gap . The narrow coastal plain between the Western Ghats and
4355-514: The western coast. This signifies the onset of the monsoon season in June. By the time the air rises above the mountains, it becomes dry, resulting in a rain shadow region with very little rainfall on the leeward side towards the interior of the Deccan plateau. The monsoon winds rounding up the peninsula and moving from the east from the Bay of Bengal pass over the Eastern Ghats and bring
4422-438: Was established in 1988. The reserve, at 8°39′N 77°23′E / 8.650°N 77.383°E / 8.650; 77.383 , is about 45 km west of Tirunelveli and is known as KMTR to forest and tiger researchers. Kalakkad is the nearest town. Kalakkad has a temple called Malainambi temple with a falls. Papanasam is a famous picnic spot in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu . It falls under
4489-552: Was established in 1990, has a network of 102 affiliated colleges. In 1878, there were two colleges in the district: the Madurai Diraviam Thayumanavar Hindu College and St. John's College. The first college for women, Sarah Tucker college was established in 1895. Of the 17 arts colleges in the district, eight are co-educational institutions, five are for women and four for men. The colleges in Tirunelveli district were originally affiliated with
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