DHARMAPURI DISTRICT PROFILE

Dharmapuri district, which came into existence from 02.10.1965 is situated in the North western Corner of Tamil Nadu and is bounded by Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram Districts on the east, Salem District on the South, Krishnagiri District on the north and Kaveri river on the west. It is located between latitudes N 11 47’ and 12 33’ and longitudes E 77 02’ and 78 40’. The total geographical area of Dharmapuri District is 4497.77 Sq Kms, i.e. 3.46% of Tamil Nadu.
Administrative Divisions
Revenue Divisions
1. Dharmapuri 2. Harur

Revenue Taluks
1. Dharmapuri 2. Palacode 3. Pennagaram
4. Harur 5. Pappireddipatti

Panchayat Unions
1. Dharmapuri 2. Nallampalli 3. Palacode
4. Pennagaram 5. Karimanagalam 6. Morappur
7. Harur 8. Pappireddipatti

Town Panchayats
1. Marandahalli 2. Palacode 3. Papparapatti
4. Pappireddipatti 5. Pennagaram 6. B.Mallapuram
7. Kambainallur 8. Harur 9. Kadathur
10. Karimangalam

Climate and Rainfall
The climate of the Dharmapuri District is generally warm. The hottest period of the year is generally from the months of March to May , the highest temperature going up to 38 C in April. The Climate becomes cool in December and continuous so up to February, touching a minimum of 17 C in January. On an average the District receives an annual rainfall of 895.56 mm.
Soil
The Soil type ranges from black to mixed loam; Red sandy soils are seen in Harur Taluk. Black and loam soil are found in Dharmapuri Taluk. Generally the soil is low in Nitrogen and Phosphate content with no marked variation between Taluks.
Population [ census-2001 ]
Male Female Total Rural Urban
6,70,520 6,24,662 12,95,182 11,60,628 1,94,554
52 % 48 % 85 % 15 %

Taluk Name Population Geographical Area
in % in Hect. in %
1. Dharmapuri 3,75,118 29% 0,78,451 17%
2. Pennagaram 1,94,882 15% 1,13,027 25%
3. Palacode 3,01,580 23% 0,73,267 16%
4. Harur 2,08,131 16% 1,10,354 25%
5. Pappireddipatti 2,15,471 17% 0,74,678 17%

Agriculture
The District economy is mainly agrarian in nature. Nearly 70% of the workforce is dependent on agriculture and allied activities. The district is one among most backward and drought prone area in the state.
1. Area under Paddy (Hectare) in hect. in %
Sornavari / Kuruvai / Kar 2726 01.60%
Samba / Thallady / Pisanam 5533 03.30%
Navarai / Kodai 1206 00.70%
Total 9,465 05.60%
2. Millets(Ragi) 18,243 10.80%
3. Other Minor Millets 69,162 40.90%
4. Pulses 40,441 23.90%
5. Sugar Cane 11,971 07.10%
6. Mango 6,506 03.80%
7. Coconut 7,037 04.20%
8. Tamarind 1,197 00.70%
9. Other Crops 5,067 03.00%
Total Cropped area (A+B) 1,69,089
A) Net Area Sown 1,53,322 90.70%
B) Area sown more than once 15,767 09.30%

Horticulture
Dharmapuri district forms a major horticultural belt in the state. As the area is drought – prone it has become essential to switch over to cultivation of drought tolerant perennial fruit crops in this district. Mango is the main horticulture crop of this District. It has the highest area under the fruit crops . The district accounts for nearly one-third area under mango and nearly one-half of the mango yield in the state. Palacode is the main area where tomato is cultivated. Chilli is cultivated mainly at Pennagaram.
Fisheries
Dharmapuri being an inland district , fishing is restricted to inland only here. Main varieties of fish available are katla, rogu, mirgal, common and corp.

Mineral Resources
Dharmapuri district is endowed with sizeable reserves of granite. High quality black granite is available in Pennagaram, Harur and Palacode blocks. Quartz is available at Kendiganapalli Village of Pennagaram Taluk, A.Velampatti of Harur taluk and Pethathampatti of Pappireddipatti Taluk. Another High value mineral available here is Malibdinum, which is identified as a good conductor. It is available in Harur.