Demographic Profile
The district population as per census 2001 was 28.33 lakhs (provisional), which constituted 4.56 % of the state population. The district ranked 7th in the state in terms of population size. Population density was 294. Male population constituted 14.62 lakhs and female population 13.71 lakhs.
Economic Profile
Climate and rainfall
The district has hot and dry summer during the months of March to May and very cold and misty winter from November to February. The temperature varies from 17 Degrees centigrade to 37 Degree centigrade. Average annual rainfall is 850 mm.
There is a vide variation among the blocks in terms of temperature and rainfall. The climatic conditions varies because of the vide variation in the topography. While the northern & western taluks lie around 1000 metre above mean sea level, the southern and eastern parts consisting of Dharmapuri, Pennagaram, Palacode, Harur and Uthangarai taluks lie at 450 metre above mean sea level.
Of the three divisions, the Dharmapuri division consists of dry areas of Pennagaram and Harur. Even the Hogennakkal waterfall, which is situated in this part of the district, does not aid agriculture. The Krishnagiri division comprises fertile areas like Uthangarai, Kaveripattinam and Bargur blocks as it has a reservoir built across the Pennaiyar River.
Soil type
The district has a vide range of soil types. The soil, in general, is low in nitrogen and phosphate content.
Red loamy soil is found in Hosur, Shoolagiri, Thally and Kelamangalam blocks. Lateritic and sandy coastal alluvium soils are found in almost all blocks. Black soil is seen in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri taluks. Red & sandy soil is found in Hosur and Harur taluks.
Rivers & Canals
Cauvery and Thenpennar are the major rivers flowing through the district. Vaniar and Markandanathi are the tributaries of Thenpennar. Krishnagiri dam, which is constructed across Thenpennar, irrigates part of the area. River Cauvery is not benefiting the district for irrigation. Due to topographical conditions the possibility of constructing a dam across the Cauvery is remote. Chinnar, Palar Thoppiar, Kallar, Varathiar and Pambar are minor rivers, which are almost dry during most part of the year.
Forests
The district possesses 3.66 lakh hectares of land constituting 38 % of its geographical area under forest. The district possesses the highest forest cover in terms of area, which accounts for 17.2 % of the forest in the state.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the principal occupation in this district. Nearly 74 % of the workforce is dependant on agriculture, 43 % are cultivators and the rest 31 % agricultural labourers. The net sown area was 3.93 lakh hectares in 1999-2000 and the gross cropped area was 4.70 lakh hectares. The district is one among the most backward and drought prone area in the state.
Paddy, ragi, pulses, groundnut, sugarcane, cotton, coconut and samai are the major crop cultivated. Dharmapuri is the major horticultural belt in the state. It accounted for 12 % of the area under fruits in the state. Mango is the main fruit crop grown here. Almost all vegetables and fruits are cultivated here.
Major agriculture / horticulture research centers & Laboratories of the districts are:
- Divisional Agricultural Research Centre, Paiyur.
- Horticulture Research Centre, Thimmapuram.
- Hybrid coconut crossing Centre, Kaveripattinam.
- Hybrid coconut crossing Centre, P.K. Pudur.
- Hybrid coconut crossing Centre, Agasipadi.
Industry
The district is an industrially backward one. However, after the formation of the SIPCOT industrial Complex in Hosur a number of medium and large-scale units were started, most of them in and around Hosur. Presently 112 large-scale units are located in the district. Besides these, there were 10880 SSI units in the district as on 31.7.01. Huge granite reserves helped the growth of quarries and granite polishing industry in the district. Similarly, the vast mango plantations helped the growth of pulp units also.
Snap Shot - Industrial Scenario
| Existing Industrial Scenario |
Emerging Industrial Scenario |
- Engineering Industry
- Plastic Industries
- Auto two wheeler
- Coir Products
- Cotton Textiles & Hosiery
- Readymade Garments
- Wood products
- Agro Based industries
- Granite polishing
- Paper products.
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- Food Processing Industry
- Granite polishing
- Tissue culture.
- Software & IT Enabled Services
- Electronic Industries
- Oleoresins
- Herbal Products
- Agro based industries
- Consumer durable
- Biotech Products
- Rubber & Plastic Industry
- Cold storage of Vegetables & Fruits
- Tourism
- Recreational & Entertainment
- Auto Components
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