The Nilgiri District

The Nilgiri District

 

                  Nilgiris which means Blue Mountains(Neela malai in Tamil) is a district in western Tamilnadu known for tourism. They form a large part of the Western Ghats and it is also said that both Eastern and Western Ghats meet at Nilgiris. Hence the weather is a soothing experience for most part of the year.It is also nicknamed as “Queen of Hills”.

               Badaga people form the major part of the population in the district (nearly 60%). Though the Badagas are not tribes, they follow a unique dressing style, marriage and other occasions. Tribes such as Thodas, Irulas and multi religious people too are found in the district.

              Tamil and Badaga are the major languages in the district. English, Hindi, Kannada, Toda language, Kota language are the other languages found here.

The Nilgiri District is divided into six taluks,

• Udagamandalam
• Coonoor
• Kotagiri
• Kundha
• Gudalur and
• Pandalur

Landmark and significant notes

• - The railways of Nilgiris will remain special forever as it was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. In fact it is the only cog railway in India (toothed railway track).
• - Ranked first in Economic Environment Index (among all districts in Tamilnadu)
• - Highest literacy rate in the state of Tamilnadu (82%)
• - Ban on plastic products (Shopkeepers use only recycled papers or cloth bags)

Environment

                   The district has a lot of peaks, Doddabetta being the highest. Numerous waterfalls around the district add special beauty and provide a great treat to the eyes. The district is rich both in Flora and Fauna. Eucalyptus trees are abundant and are utilized for medical benefits. Likewise a large number of species found in the Nilgiris are used various health benefits. Fauna is rich with the presence of Nilgiri Tahr, spotted deer, elephants, bisons and leopards etc.

Occupation

                Tea and horticulture is the main occupation found in this part and the economy depends a lot on tea, cultivation of potato, carrot, cabbage etc.

However prominent industry set ups like the Needle Industries (at Yellanalli-8 kms away from Ooty), Cordite factory (Aruvankadu- 10 kms away from Ooty), Hindustan Photo Films(Ooty), numerous tea factories contribute to the employment across the district.

Banking

                    Most of the banks are also present in the district(mainly in Ooty, Coonoor, Gudalur and Kotagiri). Initially only nationalized banks were set up in the district. In the last decade or so, banks like HDFC, ICICI, Axis came into the picture and it shows the kind of development the district has seen over the years.

               The first ever bank in the district(Central Cooperative Bank) was formed in 1956 by the government. The Central cooperative bank in Coimbatore led by the British was an enabler in forming this first bank in the district. The bank was mainly organized here by Mr. J.Nanjan (Kenthorai), Mr. Lingan (B Manihatty) and Mr.Nanjiah from Ooty.

Education

                 Boarding schools around the district have been a revelation since the British period. These schools provide considerable amount of employment and they also offer a high standard of education. Students from several parts of the country and even from abroad prefer to study here. Some of the famous schools are

• - The Lawrence School, Ooty
• - The Hebron School,Ooty
• - Good Sheperd School,Ooty
• - Stanes School,Coonoor
• - St.Judes School,Kotagiri

Colleges in the district are

Arts and Science Colleges

• - Government Arts College, Ooty
• - Emerald Height College for Women, Ooty
• - Providence College for Women, Ooty

Pharmacy and Naturopathy Colleges

• - J.S.S. College of Pharmacy, Ooty
• - J.S.S. Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Science

Engineering Colleges

• - CSI College of Engineering, Ketty
• - Merit Inn International Institute of Information Technology, Ooty

Hotel Management Colleges

• - Merit Swiss Asian School of Hotel Management ,Ooty
• - Monarch International College of Hotel Management ,Ooty
• - Riga College of Hotel Management, Coonoor

Other Institutions in Nilgiris

• - Govt. Polytechnic, Ooty
• - District Institute of Education and Training, Kotagiri
• - Bethlehem Teacher Training Institute, Ooty
• - Govt. Industrial Training Institute, Coonoor
• - St.Joseph's Industrial School, Ooty

Commercial life

                   Hotels in various ranges are availbale around the district. Few belong to the 3 star category and most are budget hotels.

The daily vegetable market across all the towns is a special place to hunt for fresh vegetables.

Retail shops are quite buzzing during the months of March to May (season).