Sivakasi

Sivakasi Town lies 22 K.m. South west of Virudhunagar town and 2.5K.m West of Madurai – Tirunelveli National highway. The town is located 74 Kms from Madurai on North in Virudhunagar District. The town is well connected to all surroundings area by major district roads. The area of the town is 6.89 Sq.K.m. The town is well connected by State Highways with Sattur, Virudhunagar, Srivilliputhur, Vembakottai and nearly important locations.

Sivakasi is town of antiquity and one of the holy places for the Hindus in TamilNadu. The town is known for its Fire Crackers and has attained importance for the same Nationally and Internationally.

Sivakasi Printing Sivakasi is famous for its match industries, fireworks and printing industries. Some of the most advanced printing units in the country are located in SIVAKASI offering the state of facilities . Approximately 70% of the total production of matches and fireworks in India are manufactured in Sivakasi . A unique characteristic of Sivakasi is that none of the raw materials for the Printing , Match and Fire works industries are available in Sivakasi . The veneers and splints for the Match industry are obtained from Kerala and Andaman . Similarly , paper for the Printing industry is procured from many places in India and Overseas.

Transportation Linkages

The town is well connected by the N.H.47 (Madurai-Trivandrum) and a major Virudhunagar, Sattur town. The town is also linked with broad guage railway line connecting Tenkasi and Madurai, Virudhunagar. It is at a distance of 16 K.m from Sattur on the east end. It is also connected by State Highways leading to Virudhunagar, Srivilliputtur and Sattur.

Temperature

The maximum temperature during summer is 39.c and during winter it is 23.c. The minimum temperature varies from 23.c, 22.c to 23.c. The mean humidity is 76.2% which varies from 65.6% to 79.2%. During summer, the climate of Sivakasi town is very hot and dry. Which is suitable fro manufacture of Crackers and Fire work, Match industries. The hottest climate is highly suitable for manufacture of Calendars, Diaries etc

Nature of Soil

The major group soils that are found in the town are black and red varieties. The black soil constituting more percentage and where as red-soil constituting only 15 percent. The eastern slopes of the Western Ghats adjacent to Srivilliputtur and Rajapalayam and the plains of Sivakasi, Sattur, Aruppukottai, Tiruchuli and Kariyapatti form the two topographical regions of this District . The foothills have rich loamy soil with good vegetarian cover. Soil Condition in the plains is primarily black cotton (‘ karisal ‘ ). Sivakasi town is mostly characterized by a relatively flat terrain with only a few areas in the Northwest region having distinct Elevation difference.

Regional Setting

Sivakasi is situated 10” 28’ North Latitude and 77”48’ East Longitude . It is situated at a distance of 30 k.m. from Virudhunagar. Regional setting of Sivakasi is surrounded by Srivilliputtur , Virudhunagar, Tiruchuli Sattur and Rajapalayam.

Physical & Geographical Characteristics

Virudhunagar district is divided in two district regions. The eastern slopes of the western Ghats adjacent to Srivilliputtur and Rajapalayam and the plains of Sivakasi. Sattur, Aruppukkottai, Tiruchuzhi and kariyapatti from the two topographical regions of this District. The foothills have rich loanly soil with good vegetation cover. Soil condition in the plains is primarily black cotton (karisal). Sivakasi town is mostly characterized by relatively flat terrain with only a few areas in the northwest region having district elevation difference. Overall, the town area is sloped gently from north to south and almost sloping in radial direction towards centre portion of the town from east and west side. The highest contour is near Ganddhi Nagar Service Reservoir at New colony.

Climate & Rainfall

The weather in this region is primarily semi-arid tropical monsoon type with high mean temperatures and a low humidity. Temperature ranges from 20.c to 37.c. The month of April to June is the hottest period of the year. Sivakasi receives scanty rainfall with an annual average of 812 m.m. The South west monsoon with an onest in June and lasting until August brings scanty rain . Bulk of the rainfall is received during the North East monsoon in the months of October, November and December.

Geology and Soil Condition

The area under cultivation in Virudhunagar District is approximately one-third of the total geographic area. Agriculture sustains more than half the working population. Productivity of agriculture is influenced by numerous factors. Such as Soil, climate, irrigation ,marketing and credit facilities and agricultural practices and techniques. Principal types of soil found in this district are black loamy soil (locally known as karisal). Cotton, Pulses , oilseeds and millets which do not require much irrigation, are main crop grown in this region. Paddy and sugarcane are grown in areas where tank or well irrigation is available.

Location

Sivakasi town is located 74 Km South of Madurai city. It is in Taluk head quarters. The total length of the roads and streets in Municipal area is 56.95 Kms. The Municipal limits of the town cover in the area of 6.8 Sq.Km. The safety matches manufacturing industry in Sivakasi are nation reputation and several such units dot the entire urban scope up the town.