Welcome to  Tirunelveli District,  the penultimate southern most district of Tamil Nadu, is described as a microcosm of the State. The district has  diverse geographical and physical features such as lofty mountains and low plains, rivers and cascades, seacoast and thick inland forest, sandy soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and protected wild life.

   The   glory   of  Tirunelveli District  is  the  pride  of Tamils. The   crawling   clouds  on the Western Ghats, the picturesque Pothigai hills and the Courtallam water falls are  the  special features which make  Tirunelveli  unique.   The  district  consists  of all the five geographical  divisions  referred  to  in  Tamil literature. The Western Ghats  form   the  Kurinji (Mountainous)  region;  the Kalakkadu  and Mundanthurai    forests   form  the  Mullai (Forest)  region;  the lands watered by  the  Tamiraparani and  other  rivers fall under Marudham (Paddy fields);  the Radhapuram sea coast is its Neithal land (coastal) and the teri land forms the Palai  (desert) region. The district is dotted with centres of natural beauty, pilgrimage, architectural eminence and memorials to great warriors of Indian independence.

The District is blessed with the western ghats from which all the perennial

rivers follow and drain towards the east.  The surface water of the District is drained into

major river basin viz  Thamiraparani, Vaippar, Nambiar and Hanumanathi.  Thamiraparani 

is the major river basin in the District. The other Streams which are seasonal in nature are

Servallar, Manimuthar, Ramanathi, Pachayar, Chittar and  Uppodai rivers which drain into

the Tamiraparani basin.  The source of irrigation are Canal, Tank and Well, which covers

133106 hectares. Among the total area irrigated, Well irrigation covers 50096 hectares,

Tanks 55382 hectares and  Canal 27128  hectares  

There are 25 medium and major industries such as Cement, Cotton yarn,

Calcium carbide, Sugar, Cotton seed oil, Printing papers and flour Mill etc.

Among the other industries in the District  Pin, Clip, Matches, Beedi,Vessels

making and Engineering industries are important. The important Village industries functioning in the district are Handloom, Poultry farming, Brick making, Jaggary

production.  The Handloom products Lungi, Sarees etc are marketed in north India.  So also

the fine Korai mats from Pathamadi have one world fame.  Kallidaikurichi Pappads,

Karukurichi mud pots, also Tirunelveli “Halva” are specialities which earned many laurels

to the District. 

Courtallam is situated at the Western Ghats in Tenkasi Taluk. The famous

waterfalls on rocks and tiny droplets are sprinkled in the air.  The water falls of Courtalam

have medicinal value as they run through forest and herbs before their decent.  

Pappanasam Agasthiar falls also attracts tourist and pilgrims.There is a Wild

life sanctuary at Mundanthurai and Kalakadu.  Spotted deers, Liontailed monkeys, Elephants

and Tigers are plenty.