The Nilgiris - District Profile

            HISTORY OF NILGIRIS DISTRICT

                The Nilgiris, because of its natural charm and pleasant climate, was a place of Special attraction for
the Europeans.   In 1818, Mr. Whish and Kindersley, who were assistants to the Collector of Coimbatore,
discovered the place Kotagiri near Rengaswamy  peak. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore was
greatly interested in this part of the country.  He established his residence there and reported to the Board of
Revenue on 31st July 1819. 

                   The Name ‘Nilgiris’ means Blue hills (Neelam – Blue and giri – Hill or Mountain) the first mention
of this name  has been found in the Silappadikaram. There is a belief that the people living in the plains at the
foot of the hills, should have given the name, the Nilgiris, in view of the violet blossoms of ‘kurinji’ flower
enveloping the hill ranges periodically. The earliest reference to the political history of the Nilgiris,  according
to W.Francies   relates to the Ganga Dynasty of  Mysore.

                   Immediately after the Nilgiris was ceded to the British in 1789, it became a part of Coimbatore
district. In August 1868 the Nilgiris was separated from the Coimbatore District. James Wilkinson Breeks
took over the administration of the Nilgiris as its Commissioner. In February 1882, the Nilgiris was made a
district and a Collector was appointed in the place of the Commissioner. On 1st February 1882, Richard
Wellesley Barlow who was the then Commissioner became the First Collector of Nilgiris.

                        GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF THE DISTRICT

                The Nilgiris is situated at an elevation of 900 to 2636 meters above MSL. Its latitudinal and
longitudinal dimensions being 130 KM (Latitude : 10 - 38 WP 11-49N) by 185 KM (Longitude : 76.0 E   to
77.15 E). The Nilgiris is bounded on North by Karnataka State on the West by Coimbatore District, Erode
District, South by Coimbatore District and Kerala State and as the East by Kerala State.        In Nilgiris
District the topography is rolling and steep. About 60% of the cultivable land falls under the slopes ranging
from 16 to 35%

                            AREA AND POPULATION

          The District has an area of 2452.50 sq.km. As per 2001 census the population of this district is as follows

  Total Population Male Population Female Population Sex Ratio Area Density
Total 762141 378351 383790 1014 1806.16 421.97
Rural 307532 151874 155658 1025 742.84 413.99
Urban 454609 226477 228132 1007 2549.00 178.35
 DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
The Nilgiris District Comprises of six taluks viz Udhagamandalam, Kundah, Coonoor,
Kotagiri, Gudalur and Pandalur. These taluks are devided in to four Panchayat Unions
viz., Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur besides two Municipalities,
Wellington Contonment and Aruvankadu Township. The District consists of 56 Revenue
Villages and 15 Revenue Firkas. There are two Revenue Divisional in this district viz.,
Coonoor and Gudalur. There are 35 Village Panchayat and 13 Town Panchayat in this
District.

Name of
Name of No. of No. of  Village
the Town Panchayat
the Revenue Revenue Panchayat
Revenue
Taluk Firkas Villages
Division
Udhagai 3 13
Udhagai 4 13
Kundah 2 7
Coonoor
Coonoor 3 9 Coonoor 4 6
Kotagiri 3 15 Kotagiri 1 11
Gudalur 2 8
Gudalur Gudalur 4 5
Pandalur 2 4

IRRIGATION SOURCE
         There are no irrigation schemes in this district. The crops are mainly rain fed. Check Dams have been
constructed wherever it is possible to exploit natural springs.

CROPS
         The Nilgiris District is basically a Horticulture District and the entire economy of the district depends
upon the success and failure of Horticulture Crops like Potato, Cabbage, Carrot, Tea, Coffee, Spices and
Fruits. The main cultivation is plantation Crops, viz., Tea and Coffee. Potato and other vegetables are raised
in Udhagai and Coonoor Taluks. Paddy and Ginger are grown in Gudalur and Pandalur Taluks. Paddy is
also grown in Thengumarahada area in Kotagiri Taluk. Besides these crops, Ragi, Samai, Wheat, Vegetables
etc., are also grown in small extent throughout the district.

RAINFALL
          The District usually receives rain both during South West Monsoon and North East Monsoon. The
entire Gudalur and Pandalaur, Kundah Taluks and portion of Udhagamandalam Taluk receive rain by the
South West Monsoon and some portion of Udhagamandalam Taluk and the entire Coonoor and Kotagiri
Taluks are benefited by the rains of North East Monsoon. There are 16 rainfall Registering stations in the
district
Average annual rainfall of the District is 1920.80 m.m

MONTH Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dist. Total
 NORMAL 17.6 13.2 24.3 79.6 133.3 231.5 405.7 270.6 152.2 186.9 127.9 52.9 1695.7

/YEAR

1980 0.0 0.0 21.0 62.3 101.0 348.5 321.6 148.1 128.7 133.3 221.9 8.6 1495.0

1981 3.5 0.0 45.1 54.0 102.9 254.3 280.0 453.7 307.3 297.3 107.1 58.5 1963.7

1982 0.0 0.0 2.1 30.8 99.6 149.6 186.6 218.5 96.2 164.4 239.7 18.6 1206.1

1983 4.5 4.5 10.9 11.0 95.7 197.8 251.8 234.3 243.4 166.8 62.4 227.8 1510.9

1984 63.9 84.7 243.9 85.1 76.3 264.3 849.0 270.4 179.7 0.0 227.3 9.1 2353.7

1985 44.9 24.8 31.4 93.8 150.9 274.5 100.1 179.2 227.8 127.6 148.0 99.3 1502.3

1986 58.6 62.3 30.5 28.0 95.8 121.9 163.5 250.5 171.5 156.5 96.6 63.0 1298.7

1987 15.7 2.2 17.7 19.2 88.2 232.2 78.2 188.2 107.9 241.4 173.4 176.9 1341.2

1988 0.0 3.7 37.8 102.5 79.5 117.4 309.2 195.5 210.5 720.2 60.7 39.1 1876.1

1989 1.0 0.0 37.1 109.6 84.2 192.5 406.3 104.3 152.7 148.1 95.2 18.3 1349.3

1990 66.4 3.0 13.3 47.5 131.7 138.9 138.0 243.1 75.6 347.5 126.2 44.1 1375.3

1991 19.1 19.1 6.9 94.0 60.6 275.5 361.2 187.8 126.7 280.2 120.0 3.6 1554.7

1992 0.0 0.0 0.0 77.0 116.2 141.6 208.0 135.0 132.2 293.2 122.0 1.0 1226.2

1993 0.0 0.0 0.0 77.0 120.0 248.5 269.6 269.1 110.4 248.8 337.2 101.9 1782.5

1994 11.9 25.2 13.7 108.6 84.7 248.8 424.2 142.5 185.3 302.5 242.4 6.6 1796.4

1995 38.6 0.0 33.2 53.2 100.5 206.1 316.3 246.4 181.8 193.9 141.3 3.0 1514.3

1996 23.8 49.4 26.8 124.0 72.4 283.8 254.4 133.8 210.9 229.5 67.1 226.4 1702.3

1997 31.1 0.0 28.3 28.5 78.1 136.9 282.5 278.3 169.0 253.2 208.4 68.6 1562.9

1998 2.5 0.0 3.7 27.9 63.7 266.7 341.2 222.0 212.7 159.1 263.0 257.3 1819.8

1999 0.0 33.9 10.0 69.1 120.8 113.9 386.6 128.8 80.7 451.2 159.6 35.1 1589.7

2000 0.0 46.2 0.0 39.9 167.1 183.8 156.7 347.5 240.5 101.0 169.1 116.3 1568.1

2001 12.7 1.3 70.3 195.2 22.4 203.2 250.4 187.3 157.9 132.3 169.4 65.9 1468.3

2002 9.0 7.2 22.5 46.1 124.0 186.5 79.0 277.0 60.4 168.1 64.0 4.6 1048.4

2003 0.0 20.4 109.2 66.0 27.8 160.1 205.5 152.6 58.8 295.0 164.0 12.3 1271.7

2004 32.9 16.3 3.6 65.9 358.4 341.9 109.5 221.1 271.2 326.7 236.5 1.6 1985.6

2005 18.7 4.5 29.9 197.2 80.6 146.5 451.1 229.5 205.4 239.6 264.4 53.2 1920.6

2006 16.1 0.0 66.3 52.0 232.1  235.5 314.3 166.3 221.0 293.0 231.0 21.4 1747.1
2007 7.8 18.3 7.3 63.5 92.2 437.5 398.5 353.9 210.9 234.5 76.88 144.2 2045.5
 2008 1.88 142.58 244.42 36.35 83.35 227.01 329.81 272.0 221.18 374.20 46.43 27.25 2006.46
2009 1.00 0.0 80.01 41.96 114.10 161.30 686.80            

CLIMATE
          Since this district is situated at an elevation of 900 to 2636 meters about MSL during summer the
climate remains to the Maximum of 21 degree Celsius to 25 degree  Celsius and the minimum of 10degree
Celsius to 12degree Celsius . During the winter the temperature available to the maximum 16degree Celsius 
to 21degree Celsius. and minimum of 2degree Celsius.

LITERACY 

  Total Literates Male Literates Female Literates Literacy Rate Area Density
Rural 202668 113834 88834 74.26 742.84 413.99
Urban 338431 182739 155692 83.9 2549.00 178.35
Total 541099 296573 244526 80.01 1806.16 421.97

TRANSPORT
          The Nagapattinam - Gudalur National  Highway Passes through this district. All the taluks are
connected with Major District Roads. The village roads are maintained by Panchayat Union. There is no sea
port or Airport in this district.

ELECTRICITY
There are 8 Hydel Power Houses in this district.

        1. Pykara Power House

        2. Pykara Micro Power House
        3. Moyar Power House
        4. Kundah Power House - I
        5. Kundah Power House-II
        6. Kundah Power House - III
        7. Kundah Power House - IV
        8. Kundah Power House - V

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE
            There are one District Head Quarters Government Hospital, 5 Taluk Hospitals, 28 Primary Health
Centres, 194 Health Sub-Centres and 5 Plague circles.

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 John Sullivan M.C.S

        Born in  London on 15th June , 1788, John Sullivan was the Englishmen destined to have
greater cultural impact on the Nilgiris Hills than any other single person. From a humble  position as writer
in East India Company at Madras , He rose to the very high position of the District Collector in 1814. In 1815
He became the collector of coimbatore.  In 1819 , He visited the eastern plateau for three weeks accompanied
by a noted French naturalist Jean Baptiste Louis . It was probably on February 22, 1821  that John Sullivan
first visited  WOTKYMUND  with a badaga guide. He acquired the   stone house hill, and started building
the first house of Udhgamandalam,  the stone house in which the government arts colleges is housed now.  

  John Sullivan M.C.S had a strong love for  nature and prosperity for agriculture .His love   for gardening
was so strong that he lost no time in actively engaging himself in the development of the area in general and
Udhgamandalam in particular. His contribution towards the early growth of Nilgiris is remarkable. The
European flowers , vegetables and fruit trees  were introduced only by him. A number of old varieties of 
plants  of  Europe  and South Africa form part of the Nilgiris flora today, thanks to Sullivan. He imported
improved seeds of barley and popularized them in the Hills; for the Badagas of lower plateau , barley is the
staple grain and they call it SULLIVAN GANGI. The first road to the Nilgiris from sirumugai was formed in
1820 due to his initiative. He planned and executed  formation of the famous lake at Udhgamandalam by
damming up  the streams in the surrounding area. The first improved track originated  with his  request of
March 1819 and this was the Kotagiri Ghat.  In 1826  he improved another pass up to the southern side of the
hills, which was later known as Sullivan’s Ghat. His interests were  thus very broadly concerned with the
development of the district.

             Sullivan retired to England in 1841, a tragic man who  had lost and buried his young wife and  two
children  in St.Stephen’s Church graveyard, Udhgamandalam. He left behind him a great mark in the form
of a flourishing new town , Udhagamandalam, India’s first Hill Station.

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DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
 
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
 COLLECTOR OF POLICE
Anandrao Vishnu Kapil Kumar
Patil IAS C.Saratkar  IPS

       

 It is also noteworthy that Udhagamandalam, the Head quarters of the Nilgiris was the seat of the then
Madras Govt. during summer season from 8th July 1870. This view was taken by the Govt. taking into
consideration of the salubrious climate of the hills.

        The Entire Nilgiris District has been divided into 2 revenue divisions, having Head quarters at Coonoor
and Gudalur. Coonoor Revenue division has jurisdiction over Coonoor, Ooty, Kothagiri and Kundah taluks
while, Gudalur Division has jurisdiction over Gudalur and Pandalur taluks.

        The Collector is pivot of Administration at the District level, who is assisted by the PA (G) and other
staff at the Collectorate, while the RDOs at Divisional level. The Collector receives the Co-operation of the
various district level Officers of the State level departments.

COLLECTORS OF THE NILGIRIS DISTRICT

(The Collectors were Designated As Commissioners Up to 31st January, 1882)

Serial
Name of the Collector From To
Number
1 J.W. Breeks, ICS 01.08.1868 19.06.1872
2 J.R. Cockerelly, ICS 20.06.1872 20.10.1876
3 W.H. Comyu, ICS 21.10.1876 12.12.1876
4 A.M. Webster, ICS 13.12.1876 17.03.1878
5 R.W. Barlow, ICS 18.03.1878 20.05.1880
6 N.A. Roupell, ICS 21.05.1880 26.11.1881
7 R.W. Barlow, ICS 27.11.1881 16.10.1882
8 A.J. B. Arkinson, ICS 17.10.1882 21.03.1883
9 F. Brandt, ICS 22.03.1883 08.02.1884
10 L.R. Burrows, ICS 09.02.1884 08.04.1889
11 C.F. Maccartie, ICS 09.04.1889 15.12.1891
12 J.D. Rees, ICS 16.12.1891 18.01.1893
13 F.D.O. Murray, ICS 19.01.1893 21.12.1893
14 J.D. Rees, ICS 22.12.1893 14.04.1895
15 H.A. Sim, ICS 15.04.1895 18.07.1895
16 J.D. Rees, ICS 19.07.1895 29.11.1895
17 E.C. Rowson, ICS 30.11.1895 08.04.1896
18 J.D. Rees, ICS 09.04.1896 15.08.1896
19 J.H.A. Tremenhere, ICS 16.08.1896 16.11.1897
20 H.A. Stuart, ICS 17.11.1897 20.02.1898
21 D.W.G. Cowie, ICS 21.02.1898 26.05.1898
22 J.H.A. Tremenhere, ICS 27.05.1898 11.06.1898
23 D.W.G. Cowie, ICS 12.06.1898 26.07.1898
24 A. Butter Worth, ICS 27.07.1898 31.01.1899
25 C. J. Weir, ICS 01.02.1899 17.06.1899
26 S.G. Roberts, ICS 18.06.1899 01.08.1899
27 C.J. Weir, ICS 02.08.1899 30.12.1900
28 C.M. Mullay, ICS 31.12.1900 30.04.1901
29 C. J. Weir, ICS 01.05.1901 03.05.1901
30 C.M. Mullay, ICS 04.05.1901 09.05.1905
31 A.L. Harrey, ICS 10.05.1905 07.07.1905
32 C.M. Mullay, ICS 08.07.1905 07.11.1905
33 L.E. Buckely, ICS 08.11.1905 10.04.1908
34 J.H. Robertson, ICS 11.04.1908 24.02.1909
35 W. Francis, ICS 27.02.1909 12.07.1909
36 E.W. Legh, ICS 13.07.1909 28.07.1909
37 A.R. Cumming, ICS 29.07.1909 02.11.1909
38 W. Francis, ICS 03.11.1909 09.08.1910
39 L. Davidson, ICS 10.08.1910 08.11.1910
40 P.S.P. Rice, ICS 09.11.1910 17.11.1911
41 E.W. Legh, ICS 18.11.1911 01.06.1912
42 M. Young, ICS 02.06.1912 20.03.1916
43 A.R. Knapp, ICS 21.03.1916 21.01.1917
44 A.R. Cumming, ICS 22.01.1917 20.02.1919
45 R.W. Davies, ICS 21.02.1919 14.03.1919
46 G.W. Wells, ICS 15.03.1919 11.04.1919
47 J.F. Bryant, ICS 12.04.1919 15.04.1921
48 W.G. Mcfarland, ICS 16.04.1921 16.11.1922
49 C.D.A. Crofton, ICS 17.11.1922 20.02.1926
50 C.F. Brackenbury, ICS 17.04.1926 20.03.1928
51 G.H. Cookie, ICS 21.03.1928 16.10.1928
52 R.B. Mac even, ICS 17.10.1928 26.10.1928
53 A.R. Cox, ICS 27.10.1928 09.03.1931
54 E.F. Thomas, ICS 10.03.1931 06.07.1931
55 T. Austin, ICS 07.07.1931 11.02.1932
56 C.H. Masvermam, ICS 12.02.1932 01.07.1932
57 R.B. Mc even, ICS 02.07.1932 04.10.1932
58 E.C. Wood, ICS 05.10.1932 02.12.1933
59 A.C. Blake, ICS 03.12.1933 06.01.1936
60 P. Macqueen ICS 07.01.1936 20.08.1938
61 E.M. Gawhe, 21.08.1938 21.12.1938
62 P. Macqueen, ICS 22.10.1938 10.01.1940
63 E. Bennett, ICS 11.01.1940 18.03.1942
64 R.C.S. Bell, ICS 19.03.1942 18.09.1942
65 A.D. Crombie, ICS 19.09.1942 27.11.1943
66 A.F.W. Dixon, ICS 28.11.1943 24.12.1943
67 A.D. Crombie, ICS 25.12.1943 08.01.1945
68 I.M. Frazer, ICS 09.01.1945 11.07.1946
69 A.D. Crombie, ICS 08.08.1946 14.01.1947
70 H.H. Craleston, ICS 15.01.1947 05.09.1947
71 T.S. Ramachandran, ICS 06.09.1947 13.08.1948
72 S. Rajagopalan Iyengar, B.A 14.08.1948 06.08.1949
73 J.P.L. Gwyne, ICS 07.08.1949 15.12.1949
74 H.G.M. Mclaughlin, IAS 27.12.1949 09.01.1954
75 P.K.. Nambiar, IAS 27.01.1954 11.01.1954
76 J.E.R. Perianayakan, IAS 15.07.1954 26.11.1954
77 N. Krishnaswamy, IAS 01.12.1954 07.11.1955
78 P. Sankara Rao, IAS 08.11.1955 09.11.1957
79 J.M. Loboprobhu, ICS 10.11.1957 16.11.1958
80 K.J. Somasundaram, IAS 17.11.1958 18.01.1960
81 O.H. Dias, IAS 19.01.1960 04.06.1962`
82 G.M. White, IAS 07.06.1962 28.05.1963
83 R. Pasupathi, IAS 29.05.1963 31.08.1965
84 H.M. Singh, IAS 01.09.1965 09.07.1966
85 A.S. Ahulwalia, IAS 27.07.1966 22.11.1970
86 J. Sivakumar, IAS 23.11.1970 24.05.1972
87 R.. Saminathan, IAS 04.06.1972 20.08.1973
88 A.P. Muthuswamy, IAS 01.09.1973 01.04.1974
89 V. Selvaraj, IAS 01.04.1974 10.03.1976
90 K. Inbasagaran, IAS 11.03.1976 18.02.1978
91 K. Dharmarajan, IAS 19.02.1978 11.07.1979
92 Sukavaneshvar, IAS 12.08.1979 15.06.1981
93 M. Krishnan,  IAS 26.06.1981 16.09.1981
94 Jayanthi, IAS 18.09.1981 30.11.1982
95 N. Athimoolam, IAS 10.12.1982 25.04.1984
96 N.P. Gupta, IAS 25.04.1984 12.05.1986
97 K.S. Sripathi, IAS 12.05.1986 23.03.1989
98 R. Kasinathan, IAS 24.03.1989 02.02.1990
99 G.A. Rajkumar, IAS 21.02.1990 24.03.1991
100 Leena Nair, IAS 25.03.1991 16.09.1993
101 T. Pitchandi, IAS 17.09.1993 26.01.1994
102 Shashi Shekhar, IAS 27.01.1994 30.05.1996
103 P. Sonai, IAS 03.06.1996 04.04.1999
104 P. Sivasankaran, IAS 05.04.1999 08.08.2000
105 Supriya Sahu, IAS 09.08.2000 06.11.2002
106 K. Sellamuthu, IAS 07.11.2002 01.06.2004
107 K.S. Muthuswaamy, IAS 02.06.2004 19.02.2005
108 C. Vijayaraj Kumar, IAS 20.02.2005 04.06.2006
109 Santosh K. Misra, IAS 05.06.2006  06.11.2007
110 Anandrao Vishnu Patil,  IAS 16.11.2007
   
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     PRODUCE OF NILGIRIS

  TEA
        The Nilgiris is mainly a Plantation District. The soil and climatic conditions are highly favorable for Tea
cultivation.  Tea industry here, is over 100 years old and is the backbone of the Economy of this District. It is
an agro based export oriented industry. Of the total cultivated area, Tea is grown in nearly 70% of the area.
As per the recent data available Tea is grown in over 45,974 hectares and the production is around 60,000
tons.     Tea manufacturing in the Nilgiris are mainly marketed in the auction centre at Coonoor. Apart from
this, Nilgiris Teas are also exported through Cochin Port. The Tea offering consists of Cut-Twist-Curl leaf,
Cut-Twist-Curl dust, Orthodox leaf and Orthodox dust.

ESSENTIAL OILS
EUCALYPTUS OIL (Nilgiri Oil for Cold, Cough, Head - Ache)

Antiseptic and deodorant, used externally for common cold, cough, head ache. Inhaled with steam, relieves
cough in chronic bronchitis and asthma. Two drops of this oil mixed with a teaspoonful of sugar taken
internally relieves cough and sore throat and fever.

LEMON GRASS OIL (Tea Oil)

Lemon Grass oil is used for cramps and gastritis, it is used as a mosquito repellant and in some soaps for
scenting. A drop in hot tea gives it a lemon flavour.

OIL OF WINTER GREEN (Gaultheria Oil)

One teaspoonful of this oil mixed with one teaspoonful of warm coconut or gingelly oil used externally
relieves pain in joints, gout, chest pain etc. Highly effective for rheumatic pains and Arthritis. CAMPHOR
OIL
Two teaspoonful mixed with 25 grams of warm coconut oil used externally relieves muscular pains,
inflammation of joints, effective used as a vaporub in chest cold and cough.

CAMPHOR OIL (Chest pains and Asthma)

Two teaspoonful mixed with 25 grams of warm coconut oil externally relives muscular pains, inflammation of
joints, effective used as a vaporub in chest cold and cough. A accepted remedy for asthma

CLOVE OIL (Tooth Ache)

A drop of this applied with a swab of cotton relieves tooth ache. A few drops mixed in toothpaste and used is
good for teeth and gums it helps in removing stains on the teeth.

JAVA CITRONELLA OIL (Mosquito repellent)

It is used to import perfume to soaps, and agarbathies. A powerful insecticide against flies, mosquitoes, bed
bugs, fleas etc. mixed with water it can be effectively used as a spray to ward off insect and house flies.

CITRIODORA OIL (Hair Oil)

25 grams of this oil mixed in 100 grams Coconut oil or other oils, aids to check premature falling and greying
of hair. It helps to grow new hair, it makes the hair smooth and soft, it prevents and cures dandruff' and
helps to keep the scalp cool, when sprayed mixed in water it wards of mosquitoes. It has a strong lemon note.

ALMOND OIL (Skin care oil)

Direct application below the eyes clears black round the eyes. It clears pimples and black heads on the face.
Best massage oil. It is special skin caring natural moisturizer makes your skin softer, smoother and lovelier.

GERANIUM OIL (Nilgiris attar pure extracts free from alcohol)

It has a lingering fragrance two drops of this oil on a small ball of cotton will emit fragrance to room place.
Also used in hair oils and as a perfume in both water.

OLIVE OIL (Massage oil)

Rubbing this oil on body prevents from dryness and skin diseases. On face it cleans and prevents pimples and
makes the skin delicate and lovely. It is very safe for babies of all ages massaging. It is also used for oil bath
for babies.

ROSEMARY OIL
This oil is used infood as spicy flavour. 4-5 drops of this oil can be taken internally with warm water for
proper live function and digition 1-2 drops with sugar for flatulence.

THYME OIL

It is antiseptic, antiviral, anti-fungal, antispasmodic, upper respiratory aid. Used in bath, massage, diffuser,
mouthwashes, gargles, toothpastes & cough ozenges. Used for insomnia, nervous debility & stress related
complaints.

SPICES

The spices grown in the Nilgiris are very famous and popular. They command a very good price in the
market. The spices require very delicate growing conditions which are suitably availably in the Nilgiris. The
spices plantations and trade are a thriving industry in the Nilgiris. The commonly grown spices are as
follows:

FRUITS

        A variety of fruits are grown in the Nilgiris. Most of the varieties are developed and introduced by the
Pomological Research Station under the Horticulture Department. Some very rare varieties with medicinal
values are also grown. Temperate fruits like peaches, pears, strawberries, etc., are grown extensively and in
good demand. Some of the Fruits grown in  Nilgiris are :
  

VEGETABLES AND CEREALS

The British were keenly interested in Horticulture. They introduced many varieties of vegetables which had
their origin in Europe. The vegetables were suitable to the European Culinary dishes and these vegetables
now become very popular in India. The vegetables of Nilgiris are sourced by many traders from the cities and
they are often transported in cold vans to ensure freshness. Vegetables Grown are :

There are many cereals which are the staple food of the local population and the tribals. The cereals grown
here are consumed locally and there is not enough to send out from Nilgiris. The cereals are mostly rainfed
and grown organically.

TRIBES
TODAS
                 The Toda are known by several names like Tudas, Tudavans, and Todar. They are found only in
Nilgiri district.The Government of India has  identified the Toda as one of the six Primitive Tribal groups of
Tamil Nadu.  The name Toda is supposed to be derived from the word 'tud', the sacred tud tree of Todas. 
The Linguist Emeneau(1958 : 47 - 50) said that, "Toda dialect is an independent language of the Dravidian
family affiliated with Tamil - Malayalam. The uniqueness of the half - barrel shaped houses given
speculations regarding their origin ranged from Rome to Sumeria. The Toda village is called a mund,  means
a herd or a cattle - pen. It is usually a collection of three or five half barrel shaped   huts each 18 feet by 9 feet
by 10 feet high with a small doorway measuring only 32 inches by 18 inches. Besides the huts, the mund has

another hut with a smaller doorway, called 'Tirierl'  or dairy temple. In the vicinity of the mund is the
cattle - pen. Toda people are white (fair) in colour,  being tall, strong built and well shaped. The striking
feature of the women is the arrangement of their hair which is dressed in ringlets and flows waving down to

the shoulders. The traditional garment of a Toda is known as  put - kuli, is of thick white cotton cloth with
red and blue stripes which is embellished further embroidery by the Toda women, is thrown around the body
by the men and women like 'Roman toga'.  Jewelry is worn by both men and women.

KOTHAS
             The Kothas, live in Seven settlements, generally known as Kotagiri or Kokkal.  Theyare village
artisans, who are good in carpentry, black smithy and pottery. But only a few families are engaged in these
skills as a means of living. Most others are engaged in cultivation. Happily, most of the Kota families in all the
settlement have their own patta land. Unlike Todas,  they do not shy away from personal cultivation and are
generally hard working people. In the field of education also they have stolen a march over other tribal
communities. Today, many of them are working in the Government and non Governmental departments.

KURUMBAS AND IRULAS

        The Kurumba houses known as "GUDLU" are temporary constructions in the forests. The traditional
occupation of the Kurumbas is food gathering, like collection of honey and forests produce. They are also
 cultivating millets like ragi and samai on a small scale of mainly on hill slopes and mountain ridges. Honey
fetches considerable remuneration for the Kurumbas. It is released much by public. Honey is collected mostly
in the summer months from the cliffs, rocky crevices and the branches of giant trees. The supplement their
usual diet with ample quantity of honey. Kurumbas are known to possess keen eyesight, gained possibly from
constant watching of the honey bee to the hives. Now, they are mainly engaged in agriculture and those who
do not own lands work as casual agricultural laborers. The Kurumbas are had working people, but the
economic condition of the Kurumbas is very poor.

        Irulas with a few subsects among them are living in Masinagudi area, and in parts of Kotagiri and
Coonoor Taluks. They are generally engaged in Collection of minor forest products. This is a seasonal
operation and they work as casual agricultural laborers on local estates. Some of them are also engaged in
looking after the herds of cattle belonging to others. Some are engaged in agriculture in the patta lands,
conditionally assigned to them, where they have raised tea, coffee, jack trees, guava etc. However, due to their
poor maintenance of their land due to lack of finance, the return from these lands is meager. The general
economic condition of these tribes is poor.

        The   Mullukurumbas  of   Gudalur   are  a  District  group  and  are  believed  to  belong  to  a 
pre agricultural    tribe,   since   they   still    use   bow    and   arrow    for   occasional   hunting.   They  live in
nine   settlements   in   Erumad    area   and   Cherangodu   village.   They  are   mainly  
agricultural labourers.  They  are  hard  working   people  but  their  economic  condition  is  poor.

PANIYAS

        Paniyas(which literally means "workers" in local usage)  are  found  Gudalur  taluk and  many more in 
Kerala.  Paniyas  were  found  to  be  coming  under  a  subtle   from  of  bonded  labour.  They were released
from bondage and a few have been  since  rehabilitated  in  various schemes. They  are scattered  throughout 
Gudalur  Taluk  and  are  one of the most  backward  tribal communities. Under an age old system,  most of
the  Paniyas  were  working  under  local  land  owners for  low  wages with little and no  liberty  to work  for
others  for  competitive  wages.  After  Independence,  however,  the  majority of the Paniyas  broke  away
from their  masters  and started working as  casual  agricultural laborers, bamboo cutters  and  estate 
laborers.  The  Paniyas,  by and large,  live in  poverty  irrespective of whether they are  bonded  or  not. 
During  1976,  481  Paniyas  in  252  families  were freed from bonded  labour  and they  have  been  
rehabilitated  in  the  Paniya   Welfare   Land  colonisation  Co- operative  society and other schemes.

KATTUNAIKANS:-
         This   tribal   community  is  also  found  only  in   Gudalur   Taluk,  they  are  like 
Paniyas,   farm labourers   and   their  condition   is  no  better  than,  of   Paniyas.

S.No. Name of the Tribes Name of the Block Population as on

1 Kurumbas. Udhagamandalam 295
Coonoor 860
Kothagiri 740
Gudalur 3180
2 Irulas Udhagamandalam 1809
Coonoor 1180
Kothagiri 6120
Gudalur 610
3 Paniyas Udhagamandalam Nil
Coonoor Nil
Kothagiri Nil
Gudalur 7460
4 Todas Udhagamandalam 850
Coonoor 46
Kothagiri 105
Gudalur Nil
5 Kothar Udhagamandalam 1158
Coonoor 300
Kothagiri 580
Gudalur 34
6 Kattunaikkar. Udhagamandalam Nil
Coonoor Nil
Kothagiri Nil
Gudalur 410
 

HFLORA & FAUNA

"SHOLA"   THE GRASS LAND VEGETATION

            The   tropical     woodlands   are  locally   known  as   Sholas  a  term  derived   from the   tamil   word  
Solai  which  etymologically   means  a  tropical   rain  forest.   In  the  "Revised survey  of  Forest  types  of 
India",  these  sholas  have  been  classified  under  the  type "Sourthen Montane  West  Temperate  Forest". 
Sholas  occur  in  the  higher  hills of south India such as The Nilgiris the Anamalais  and  the  Palani  hills  at 
altitudes  above   51,00  meters.  While  the  forests show  fundamental  affinity  to the  various  types of 
tropical  rain  forests  to which  category  they belong  they  also show  marked  differences  in  details  from 
this main group, both in structure as well  as  in  floristics.  The  average   height  of  the  tree  is  markedly 
low  being  hardly ever  over 20 meters the  fall  in  height being  conditioned  by  exposure  to  wind  also.   In 
the  drier  eastern part  of  the  plateau  as  well  as in the  windily  location  of the western  half  of  the 
average height rarely  exceeds 10 meters.  The  tree  storey  are  only  two in number. The leaf size is
comparatively small. Drip tips, buttresses and cauliflary are nearly absent. Largelianas are however quite
common Toddalia asiatica, Rhamnus wightii, Eleagnus latifolia,  Jasminum spp. etc., are note worthy.

FLORA:
                    The  flora in Nilgiris  is  a  varied  one  including  floristics  of  tropical  as  well  as  temperate 
origin. The  species  are all  evergreen.  The  families  that  are  represented  both  in  the  variety  of  species 
as  well  as  in  the  proportion  to  other  families  are  as  follows,

     Ternstrocmiaccae
     Elaeocarpaccae

     Rutaceae

     Lcacinnaceae

     Colastraceae

     Subiaceaea

     Compositae

     Sapolaccae

     Symplocaceae

     Acanthaceae

                    The  ground  flora  consists  of  a  great  wealth  of  ferns,  mosses  and  fungi.  The  occurrence  of 
temperate  species  in  intimate  mixture  with  the  predominantly  tropical  genera  and  species  as  well  as 
the   reduction  in  the  total  number  of  species  specially  of  trees.

                            The  more  important  species  comprising  these  forests  are  as  follows,

 
    1.TOP  STOREY:

         Michelia  nilagirica

         Gordonia oblusa

         Xantolis tomentosum

         Sideroxylon tomentosum

         Meliosma wightii

         Elaeocarpus oblongus

    2.SECOND  STOREY:

         Turpinia nepaulensis

         Viburnum erubescens

         Viburnum acuminatum

         Viburnum hebanthum

         Vaocinium nilgherrense

    3.SHRUBS:

         Maesa perrotettmbana

         Psycholria congesta

         Hedyotis stylosa

         Lasianthus coffeoiaes

         Alsopjila  latebrosa

         Angiopteris  evean

    4.LIANAS, SCANDENT SHRUBS & OTHER CLIMBERS:

         Rosa leschenaultiana

         Senecio corymbosus

         Senecio intermidius

         Mahonia leschnaultii

         Rhamnus wightii

         Toddalia asiatica

         Clematis wightiana

         Rubus spp.

         Elaeagnus latifolia

 OME

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