Palmyra Tree and its Role in the Development of Nadar Community of Kanyakumari District

Abstract

Kanyakumari district is the southernmost tip of the Indian sub-continent lies between 77º05´  and 77º36´ of the eastern longitudes and 8º03´ and 8º35´ of the northern latitudes. The district is bounded by Tirunelveli district in the north and the north-east. The south-eastern boundary is the Gulf of Mannar. On the south and south-west, the boundaries are the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. On the west and north-west, it is bounded by Kerala. Kanyakumari district occupies 1684 sq.kms. The district has a warm humid climate, with no cold season. The summer season is particularly oppressive. The summer from March to May is followed by the south-west monsoon season from June to September. The period from October to November is the north-east monsoon season. Records of rainfall in the district are available for a good network of 19 stations for periods ranging from 15 to 70 years. The average annual rainfall in the district is 1469.7 mm. The density of population was 1,106 per sq.km in 2011 as against 995 per sq.km in 2001. Plantation crops of rubber ,clove nutmeg, pepper and pineapple are grown in the uplands. Crops like paddy, tapioca, banana and coconut are grown in the middle regions, and coconut and Cashew are grow in the lowlands. The district has favorable agro climatic condition to grow crops of different types such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, spices and condiments, fodder, rubber and green manure crops. The district was considered to be the granary of Travancore as it was well known for its irrigated paddy cultivation in the past. The district is also known for its 40 different genotypes in banana crop and 300 types in mangoes. This is the only district which bears off -season mango during October-November. Besides, the off season bearing on tamarind, pepper, Palmyra is also found.