CHAPTER - THREE

LAND USE PATTERN OF NORTHERN FRINGE

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Conceptual Base

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 3.2.1 Rural Urban Fringe

3.2.1.1 Characteristics of the Fringe

3.2.2 Land Use

3.2.2.1 Land Use Models

3.2.2.2 Land Use Classification

3.2.2.3 U.S.G.S. Land Use / Land Cover Classification System

3.2.2.4 Indian Land Use / Land Cover Classification System

3.2.2.5 Land Use Classification adopted in the Present Study

3.2.2.5.1 Agricultural Land

3.2.2.5.2 Fallow Land

3.2.2.5.3 Government Land

3.2.2.5.4 Residential Land

3.2.2.5.5 Water Bodies

3.3 Land Use Pattern of Northern Fringe

3.3.1 Kovilpappagudi

3.3.2 Mulakaranai

3.3.3 Anaiyur

3.3.4 Sambandan Alangulam

3.3.5 Attikkulam

3.3.6 Parasuramanpatti

3.3.7 Parayattikulam

3.3.8 Thiruppalai

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3.3.9 Alattur

3.3.10 Kannikudi

3.3.11 Kadakkinaru

3.3.12 Narasingam

3.3.13 Mangalagudi

3.3.14 Uthangudi

3.3.15 Vandiyur

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 CHAPTER – THREE

LAND USE PATTERN OF NORTHERN FRINGE

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3.1 Introduction

Increasing population in the already overpopulated developing countries forces a considerable

shift of population concentration from rural to the urban areas. Helped by a total array of twentieth

century technology such a shift is accompanied by the rapid expansion of cities, especially the

metropolitan areas. Since resource constraint restricts vertical expansion of the city to a considerable

extent, cities in developing countries experience more horizontal growth swallowing vast tracts of rural

lands in this process. Torn between the traditional conservative agricultural base and the dynamic

modern urban form, the buffer zones in between city and the village undergo a wide variety of changes

in form and character. Changes in land use are perhaps the most dynamic aspect in such areas. Even

these are not uniform all along the fringe. Transport and physical conditions bring their own influence.

Such an environment creates a set of people who are ‘physically rural and mentally urban’ (Anderson,

1964). Keeping such complexities in mind, the present study has taken such an area as the core theme

of its research analysis.

3.2 Conceptual Base

3.2.1 Rural–Urban Fringe

In the modern age of urban expansion the term ‘fringe’ has assumed greater significance. The

term “rural-urban-fringe” consists of three words – rural, urban and fringe. The Oxford English

Dictionary defines rural as “living in the country having the standing qualities or manners of peasants or

country folk; engaged in country occupation; agricultural or pastoral, or pertaining to or characteristic of

the country or country life as opposed to town”. Stevens (1946) has said: “It is generally implied in

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geographical analysis that rural population is that which is directly, or at one remove only, maintained

by the exploitation of the intrinsic resources of land”.

The term ‘urban’ implies a broader perspective, the varied dimensions of which have been

discussed by Lampard (1965).He indicates that there are three fundamental approaches to study the

process of urbanization namely, behavioural, structural or economic and the demographic approaches.

The behavioral concept is concerned with the experience of individuals over time and with patterns of

behaviour. Certain patterns of behaviour or thought regardless of social environment and locale are said

to be urban. This is not restricted to the physical milieu. The structural or economic structure is related

to the activities of the whole population and is primarily related to changes in economic structure. It

involves the movement of people out of agricultural communities into other and generally larger non-

agricultural communities. It gives primary recognition to the differential ordering or occupation of

industries within a given territorial space. In the demographic concept the process is seen primarily as

one of population concentrations. Only two variables population and space are recognized here.

However, in the geographical analysis of urban research, economic or structural approach is more

commonly used than the other two approaches.

The size, shape and character of the urban unit are changing day by day. According to Ratzel

(1903) a city is a continuous and dense agglomeration of people and dwellings occupying a large area

and lying at the focus of great trade routes. Census of India defines urban center as a place with

i) a minimum population of 5000

ii) a population density of 400 persons per sq.km

iii) at least 75% of male labour force to be engaged in non-agricultural activities and

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 iv) a type of local government which is a Corporation, Municipality, Township or
Cantonment.

Even here, the situation becomes complex because the same Census of India recognizes a

category of towns as “Class VI towns” where the total population is less than 5000.

Smith (1937) describes fringe as the built-up area just outside the corporation limits of the city.

The term ‘fringe’ suggests a borderline case between the rural and the urban and actually lies on the

periphery of urban areas, surrounding it and distinguishing it from the truly rural countryside.

Sometimes even this term “rural-urban fringe” is divided as ‘rural fringe’ and ‘urban fringe’ (Andrews

1942). These two terms denote overlapping boundaries with respect to an area which is distinct in

matter of form and function.

Whitehand (1967) considers that fringe belt is a “product of centrifugal forces, while the CBD is

the result of centripetal forces”. The rural-urban fringe is a media for urban changes. As the urban

centre expands, the fringe belt does not remain static; it grows dynamically. A rural area may gradually

be converted into a rural-urban fringe, suburb and then merge with the parent urban centre.

Pryor (1968) believes that the rural-urban fringe is the “zone of transition in land use and social

and demographic characteristics, lying between (a) continuously built-up urban areas of the central city

and (b) the rural hinter land, characterized by the almost complete absence of non-farm dwelling

occupations and land use and of urban and rural social orientation; and incomplete range and

penetration of urban utility services; uncoordinated zoning or planning regulation; areal extension

beyond although contiguous with political boundary of the central city and an actual and potential

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increase in population density, with the current density above that of surrounding rural districts, but

lower than the central city”. Thus the rural-urban fringe is really an extension of the city itself, actually

and potentially. It is not out of place to dwell on something more about the characteristics of rural-

urban fringe.

3.2.1.1 Characteristics of the fringe

Von Thunen (1826) in his major work, The Isolated State, points out that every land owner

wants maximum monetary return from a particular piece of land. As per Ricardo’s rent theory also, the

type of use of land would depend upon the maximum return to the owner who would select whether it

is useful for industries, housing or agricultural production, etc. Not only this, even poor grade land

would be used with an increase in the town population. Land use is thus influenced by location, which is

controlled by transport and communication. The rental value is relatively low in the fringe area. Still the

monetary benefit to the landowner will be maximum if proper use is made of the land. This means

changing the farmland into non-farm land. Andrews (1942) recognizes this intermixing of rural and

urban land uses in the fringe area.

The fringe of an urban complex forms a pattern depending upon the physiography and

transportation facilities of the area. As the fringe is a bridge between the rural area on the one side and

urban centre on the other, all the characteristics of urbanity and ruralism are medium in the fringe area.

These characteristics are travel time, urban habits, land value, public utility services, commuting

population, non agricultural activities, population density, primary activities, built up area and sex ratio,

literacy and agricultural activities etc. (Sinha, 1980). The characteristics may vary from town to town on

basis of the physical and cultural status of the town.

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 An important problem in the rural urban fringe area is the problem of land use. The pattern of

land use in the area is dynamic and changes from rural land use to urban land use over short periods of

time and distance. A shift from non-residential land to residential land use and agricultural to fallow are

some of the important changes. Scattered settlements, vacant land, small proportion of farm workers

and low return from the land are some of the important associated considerations. It is apt to dwell

some explanation on land use at this juncture.

3.2.2. Land Use

Land is the basic natural resource of mankind. The people residing and working in the

city occupy, organize and utilize space on the land. Harland Bartholomew (1955) states: “The

land we are concerned with can be described as land now used for purposes that are

characteristically urban”. Urban land is defined as ‘the built up area with its associated open

spaces’ (Best et.al 1974). It has the possibility of being put to multiplicity of uses. The same

patch of land can be put to residential and other activities. Land use is the use made of the land

by man. Land use refers to ‘man’s activity and the various uses which are caused on land’

(Anderson 1976). It is the surface utilization of all developed and vacant land on a specific point

at a given time and space. Rubenstein and Bacon (1990) defined land use as the type of activity

on a piece of land, such as residential, commercial or industrial activities. A notable aspect of

land use is its dynamic nature. Over the period of time, there is conversion of one land use type

to the other. This is particularly more rapid in urban areas. The use of land changes according to

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the changing needs of man. Stamp (1948) has classified the needs of man into seven major

categories viz. the need for work, home, food, transportation, communication, defence and

recreation. Explaining the field of urban geography Carter (1974), divides the content into two

types, namely (a) city ‘in’ area and (b) city “as” area. In the second part of city “as” area, he

outlines that it refers to morphology or internal structure of the city and can be analyzed taking

lay out or architecture or land use.

Concerned with spatial differentiation, Urban geographers have concentrated more on

land use component to bring out dimensions of the process of urbanization. Elaborating further,

Carter indicates that land use is basically dependent upon the functions of an urban centre, which

bring considerable variations in urban characters of various parts of the city.

Generally, urban characters vary from one center to the other and also within the urban centers

because of

1. size of population

2. physical setting

3. cultural set up at which the city exists

4. age of the city and

5. functions performed by the city

Inspite of such heterogeneity, attempts have been made to delineate functional zones

within an urban area.

3.2.2.1 Land Use Models

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 The major starting point for land use theory is the work of Johann Heinrich Von Thunen (1793–

1850). But his theory was developed with respect to an agricultural environment; it has had great

impact on the analysis of urban location problems. Burgess (1925) developed a theorized land use

pattern comprised of several concentric zones, based on the idea that the growth of the city takes place

radially from its central area to form a series of concentric rings. The zones, he identified, were the

Central Business District, Zone in transition/wholesale light manufacturing, Low-class residential,

Medium-class residential and High-class residential area. Burgess gave empirical support to his

hypothesis by presenting sociological data mainly from Chicago. However the theory of Burgess was

criticized because it did not consider the effect of transport lines and heavy manufacturing activities in

the development of land use zones. It has been noted that the concentric zonal distribution of land use

patterns gets generally distorted along the transport line.

Hoyt (1939) developed Sector Model of urban land use. His theory holds that high rent areas

tend to be located on the outer fringe of one or more sectors or quadrants of the city and in some

sectors the low rent districts assume the shape of a sector out of pie, extending from the center to the

periphery of the city. It is an improvement over the model of Burgess, for it considers both the direction

and distance.

Harris and Ullman (1945) suggested a model which identified different growth nuclei within the

city, which depend upon the size of the city, site, condition and its historical development.

Dickinson (1948) criticized these earlier models because the approach was empirical than

genetic. The rigidity of these theoretical models precluded the universality in application and the three

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models are not mutually exclusive. Dickinson (1951), in his study of the western European cities,

observed their common tendency to grow in concentric zones of distinctive build and character.

According to Dickinson, the cities can be classified into three concentric morphological zones.

These are:

1. the central fully built up zone which is the core of the modern city.

2. the compact and fully developed middle zone that was erected mainly during the 19th century.

3. the outer, partly built up zone in which urban and rural areas are mixed, and to which urban

areas have penetrated mainly during this century.

3.2.2.2 Land Use Classification

Like urban process, the types of land use also are dynamic. Hence any attempt of land use

classification cannot be said as the ultimate one. In the earlier periods, broad subdivisions are identified.

For example, residential, central areas (administrative and commercial), industrial, educational, open

land and large establishments-hospitals and cantonments are the six major types of land use recognized

in England (Ministry of Housing and Local Government 1952).

In the case of USA, a similar scheme was devised by Bartholomew (1955). He categorizes that

two major segments namely Developed area and Vacant land can be identified in any area. He divides

developed area further into privately developed area and publicly developed area. Each of these have a

number of subtypes. The total scheme is shown below:

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Classification of uses of Urban Land

Total Area

Developed Area Vacant Land

Privately Developed Area Publicly Developed

Single Family Dwellings Street

Two Family Dwellings RailRoad Property

Multi – Family Dwellings Parks and Playground

Commercial Public and Semi

Public Property

Light Industry

Heavy Industry

Source : Bartholomew (1955), P.15.

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 Development of transport and technology brought further complexties and dynamism in

unban land use necessitating a more elaborate classification. One such detailed classification

was adopted by Collins (1970) which recognized nine main categories of unban land use in the

UK. They are:]

1. Residential Use

2. Open Space

§ Public open space i.e, parks, recreation ground etc

§ Private open space i.e. cemeteries, wood lands, golf course, sports grounds etc.

2. Public Buildings

§ Places of assembly i.e., museums, art galleries, churches, exhibition halls, cinema
theatres, gymnastic, skating rings etc.
§ Other public buildings i.e., libraries, dispensaries, clinics, police station, courts of law,
fire station etc.

3. Industry
§ Light industry
§ General industry
§ Special industry

4. Commerce

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 5. Offices

6. Shops

7. Statutory undertakers

8. Vacant and derelict buildings, cleared land etc.

The American and the British land use categories in urban areas differ at least in two

respects. Firstly, transport is not shown as a separate use in Britain. This may be due to difficulty in

showing all roads and railways on general land use maps. The second difference is the way in which the

two countries use the word ‘public buildings’. In general, public buildings are public properties in

America, while in Britain, like India, public buildings are not essentially publicly owned.

In India urban land use categories recognized by different scholars belong to two

different groups: one that is used by the town planners, and the other that is used by the urban

geographers.

Residential, commercial, industrial, transport and communication, public utilities, public and semi

public use, open space, agricultural, vacant land and water bodies are the major land use types

recognized by Town Planners (Gowda 1972).

Urban Geographers have considered residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural,

educational, administrative, parks and play grounds, military lands, burial grounds and the open spaces

as the main categories of urban land use (Singh, 1964; Sinha 1970; Alam 1972).

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 It is clear, therefore, that there is no one ideal classification of land use/land cover and it is

unlikely that one could ever be developed. Each classification is made to meet the needs of the user

(Anderson et al 1976). Each class should be capable of clear definition and the criteria used should be of

the same type throughout the classification. In an effort to improve this situation, the U.S. Geological

survey has developed a standardized system for classifying land use data obtained by means of remote

sensing techniques so that the detailed land use studies at local and regional levels can be aggregated

upwards to regional and national levels respectively.

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3.2.2.3 U.S.G.S. Land Use / Land Cover Classification System

The US Geological Survey Land Use Classification system was developed to meet the following

criteria (Lillisand 1979).

1. The minimum level of interpretative accuracy in the identification of land use and land cover

categories from remotely sensed data should be at least 85 percent.

2. The accuracy of interpretation for several categories should be about equal.

3. Repetitive results should be obtainable from one interpreter to another and from one time

sensing to another.

4. The classification system should be applicable over extensive areas.

5. The categorization should permit land use to be inferred from the land cover types.

6. The classification system should be suitable for use with remotely sensed data obtained at two

different times of the year.

7. Effective use of sub categories that can be obtained from ground surveys or from the use of

large scale or enhanced remotely sensed data should be possible.

8. Aggregation of categories must be possible.

9. Comparison with future land use data must be a possible one.

10. Multiple uses of land should be recognized wherever possible.

This type of classification recognizes four levels of categorization. Level I and II (Table –

3.1) classifications specified by the USGS are principally of interest to users who desire information

on a nationwide, interstate or statewide area. Level I data are acquired from exclusively space

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platform. Level II data are efficiently and economically acquired from both satellite and high altitude

aircrafts (as the U-2) although it would also be possible to obtain them from medium to low altitude

aircrafts. Level III and IV can be utilized to provide information at a resolution appropriate for

regional (multicounty), county, or local planning and management activities.

In Level – I, the USGS classification identifies nine categories (Table 3.1). They are:

1. Urban or built-up land

2. Agricultural land

3. Range land

4. Forest land

5. Waste land

6. Wet land

7. Barren land

8. Tundra and

9. Perennial snow or ice

Each has been given a broad definition. For example, Urban or built – up land is

composed of areas of intensive use with much of the land covered by structures. Included in

this category are cities, towns, villages, strip developments along highways, transportation,

power and communication facilities, and areas such as those occupied by mills, shopping

centers, industrial and commercial complexes, and institutions that may, in some instances,

be isolated from urban areas. This category takes precedence over others when the criteria for

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more than one category are met. For example, residential areas that have sufficient tree cover

to meet forest land criteria should be placed in the urban or built-up land category.

Each of Level–I group may be subcategorized into various types under Level–II. For

example, Urban or built-up land is categorized into seven sub types under Level-II. Table 3.1

gives Level–I and Level–II types of land use under USGS classification.

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 Table 3.1

USGS LAND USE/LAND COVR CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Level - I Level – II

1. Urban or Built-up land 11 Residential

12 Commercial and Servicing

13 Industrial

14 Transportation, Communication and utilities

15 Industrial and Commercial complex

16 Mixed Urban or built up land

17 Other Urban or built up land

2. Agricultural land 21 Crop land and pasture

22 Orchards, Groves, Vineyards, Nurseries, etc.

23 Confined feeding operations

24 Other Agricultural land

3. Range land 31 Herbaceous range land

32 Shrub and Brush range land

33 Mixed rangeland

4. Forest 41 Deciduous forest land

42 Evergreen forest land

43 Mixed forest land

5. Water 51 Streams and canals

52 Lakes

53 Reservoirs

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 54 Bays and Estuaries

6. Wetland 61 Forested wetland

62 Non-forested wetland

7. Barren land 71 Dry salt flats

72 Beaches

73 Sandy areas other than beaches

74 Bare exposed rock

75 Strip mines, Quarries and gravel pits

76 Transitional Areas

77 Mixed Barren land

8. Tundra 81 Shrub and Brush Tundra

82 Herbaceous Tundra

83 Bare ground Tundra

84 Wet Tundra

85 Mixed Tundra

9. Perennial snow/ice 91 Perennial snow fields

92 Glaciers

Note: From Anderson et.al (1976, p.8)

Level – III is the further subdivision of each Level – II type. In rare cases even Level – IV can be

attempted. The following scheme shows an example of Level – I, II and III land use types.

LEVEL - I LEVEL - II LEVEL - III

11.Residential

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 1. Urban or 111. Single Family

built-up 112. Multi Family

Land 113. Group Quarters

114. Residential Hotels

115. Mobile Home Parks

12. Commercial and service
116. Transient Lodgings
13. Industrial
117. Other
14. Transport, Communication

and utilities

15. Industrial and

Commercial complexes

16.Mixed urban or

built-up land and

17. Other urban or built-up land

Level III classes can be mapped from

aerial photos of scales ranging from 1:80,000 to 1:20,000 while level IV classes will require scales of

1:20,000 or larger. Both levels III and IV call for considerable supplemental information.

As noted earlier, land use classification systems vary from one country to the other. In India, a

different Land Use scheme has been adopted.

3.2.2.4 Indian Land Use/ Land Cover classification System

Initially a nine-fold classification was used extensively. The types here are: 1. Forest, 2) Barren

and Uncultivable land, 3) Land put to non agricultural uses,

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4) Cultivable Waste,5) Permanent Pastures and other Grazing land, 6) Miscellaneous tree crops and

groves not included in the net area sown, 7) Current Fallow, 8) Other Fallow lands and 9) Net area sown.

However, keeping in line with other countries a detailed scheme of land use classification was

developed by NRSA.

National Land Use/ Land Cover classification system (Table 3.2) has been primarily

developed for use with remotely sensed data in order to meet the required basic information needed on

land use for Agro-climatic zone planning (NRSA 1989). In arriving at the classification and nomenclature,

the following criteria are considered:

1. The land use / land cover classification system should be applicable over large areas of study.

The present classification is for mapping upto district level on 1: 50,000 scale.

2. The classification system should be amenable and receptive to satellite data obtained from

different sensors at different periods and seasons of the year.

3. The minimum interpretation accuracy and reliability in the identification of land use / land cover

categories from satellite data should be atleast 80 to 90 percent.

4. To enable better identification and delineation of different land use classes, multidate imagery

of atleast two seasons is needed.

5. Classification should be easier to understand the nomenclature, definitions and framework to

the extent possible and should be compatible with the existing terminologies adopted by other

departments.

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 6. Classification should be flexible for further detailed categorization to accommodate higher levels

of sub-classes obtained from high spatial resolution, large scale and enhanced sensor data later

on.

7. Aggregation of multiple land use classes is essential to simplify certain terminologies, namely,

coastal, river or desert sands or sandy areas and also, where spectrally it is not separable eg.

different crops under croplands, evergreen forest cover etc.

In NRSA classification, 6 major categories are identified under Level–I, each of which

are further subdivided in Level–II. Table 3.2 gives NRSA Land Use classification.

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 TABLE – 3.2

INDIAN LAND USE / LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NRSA)

Level - I Level – II

1. Built-up land 11 Built – up land

2. Agricultural land 21 Crop land

i. Kharif

ii. Rabi

iii. Kharif + Rabi

22 Fallow

23 Plantation

3. Forest 31 Evergreen/semi evergreen forest

32 Deciduous forest

33 Degraded or Scrub Land

34 Forest Blank

35 Forest Plantation

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 36 Mangrove

4. Waste lands 41 Salt affected land

42 Waterlogged land

43 Marshy/swampy land

44 Gullied/Ravinous land

45 Land with or without scrub

46 Sandy area (coastal) and desertic

47 Barren rocky/stony waste/sheet rock area

5. Water bodies 51 River/stream

52 Lake/reservoir/tank/canal

6. Others 61 Shifting cultivation

62 Grassland/Grazing land

63 Snow covered/Glacial area

3.2.2.5 Land use classification adopted in the present study

Though USGS and Indian System provide a list of all possible categories of land use, it

becomes necessary sometimes to adopt a slightly modified system of land use to suit local

conditions. For the present analysis the main aim to study the urban impact on the surrounding

villages. Therefore emphasis is given more to residential development. Usually agricultural and

fallow lands are converted to residential land use. Considering the nature of the present research

problem, the following types of land classification have been made:

1. Agricultural land

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 2. Fallow land

3. Government land

4. Residential land and

5. Water bodies

Agricultural land

Agricultural land use is considered as a distinct rural feature. In India the presence of agricultural

land use is used to define the inner boundary of the fringe village. A variety of crops are cultivated in an

agricultural area.

Fallow land

Fallow land is one where the agricultural land is left without any cultivation for a brief

period. There are two types of fallows (a) current fallow and (b) permanent fallow.

Current fallow comprises of cropped areas which are kept fallow during one season/year.

Permanent fallow comprises of cropped areas which are kept fallow for a long period. However,

in the present investigation fallow lands are taken as a single unit. The growing demand for the

residential area for urban population has a direct impact on the agricultural land in the villages

bordering the city. This forces the farmers in the village to convert their fields to plots for want

of more money or profit from their lands. However there are legislative measures which ban the

conversion of wetlands for other purposes. To override this problem, the farmers leave their land

as fallow for a few years and then convert it for residential plots.

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 Government and Other Land

In the present investigation Government land in the fringe villages includes roads, areas

surrounding tanks and lakes, small rivulets and rocky outcrops, etc. Land not belonging to any individual

and which is not put any specific use is called Poramboke land in Tamil Nadu and is owned by the

Government. In general the tanks and lakes are normally called as kanmois and uranis in Tamil Nadu.

These lands are sometimes converted into residential areas. The growing demand for residential plots in

the city has increased the land value in the village. As the landlords have converted their fields into

plots for more profit, the poor agricultural laborers and others dependent on agriculture are left without

any land or work. Due to this they start occupying Government lands along either side of canals, roads,

highlands and rocky ground lands. Thus all types of proamboke lands are occupied by the agricultural

landless labourers for their housing and other activities. Sometimes they pay revenues to the village for

occupying these Government lands. Thus Government land also is converted to residential and other

related uses. The other type of land is one which is under the non agricultural land use such as brick

kilns.

3.2.2.5.4 Residential lands

Residential land use means the use of land for residential purposes. Residential land constitutes

a greater share of the developed land area in the city than any other single land use type. The growing

interaction of village people with the city is one of the main reasons for the conversion of rural land use

to urban land use. To begin with, a few plots of land belonging to the farmers in the village are

purchased by real estate agents from the city and developed into residential colonies. Lands near the

main road on either side are first taken for residential purpose and unsuitable lands for agriculture are

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also taken up, mainly because of their availability for sale and low value. Therefore, for the present

investigation areas which are already converted as residential land in the peripheral villages are taken as

a separate land use. This includes not only areas with residential buildings but also vacant plots intended

for house construction.

3.2.2.5.5 Water Bodies

This type of land use mainly includes lakes, tanks, ponds, canals and channels. Normally water

bodies may be perennial and non perennial. However in the study area most of the water bodies are

non-perennial. Since they are government lands, sometimes the peripheral regions are illegally

occupied. In some other cases even government itself constructs residential colonies for varied groups

in such lands. Most of these constructions raised the level of land creating problems of drainage.

Therefore such areas face environmental hazards like flood during rainy season. Keeping this in mind

this land use type is also taken as a separate major land use type.

Thus, the analysis of land use explanation of the present investigation is done based on

the five categories explained so far, namely,

1. Agricultural land
2. Fallow land
3. Residential land
4. Government and other land and
5. Water bodies

3.3. Land Use Pattern of Northern Fringe

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 Madurai, which is the study area, is the third largest city in Tamil Nadu. The present day

city is divided into north and south by river Vaigai. However, the historical core city, which was

built around Sri Meenakshi temple, lies to the south of River Vaigai. It was only after 1889 when

the Albert Victor Bridge was constructed across river Vaigai urban influence started spreading to

the northern parts. After independence the northern areas experienced rapid urban growth mainly

because of various government establishments and residential colonies. Compared to the

southern area the northern part has better water availability and a comparatively rich agricultural

area. All these factors resulted in rapid growth of urban population after 1971, in areas to the

north of River Vaigai. As already explained in chapter II (page 43) the share of north Madurai to

the total population of the city increased from 20% in 1971 to 26% in 1981, 29% in 1991 and

32% in 2001. This had its own impact on the fringe villages, which became the major areas for

the development of suburbs. As indicated earlier, characteristics of northern fringe are different

from that of the southern fringe. Hence, it is essential to study the fringe villages separately

taking north and south fringe village individually. The present chapter discusses northern fringe

villages.

In the Northern fringe there are fifteen settlements namely;

1. Kovilpappagudi

2. Mulakaranai

3. Anaiyur

4. Sambandan Alangulam

5. Attikkulam

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 6. Parasuramanpatti

7. Parayattikulam

8. Thiruppalai

9. Alattur

10. Kannikudi

11. Kadakkinaru

12. Narasingam

13. Mangalagudi

14. Uthangudi and

14. Vandiyur

3.3.1 Kovilpappagudi

Kovilpappagui is located in the northwestern side of Madurai Corporation boundary. In the

northern side of Kovilpappagudi there are two villages Adalai and Podumbu. In the northeastern side is

the Mulakaranai village. Towards the east Kovilapapagudi is bounded by Silayaneri, which is partly rural

and partly urban area. In the south is Vilangudi, which is an urban area and to the western side of

Kovilpappagudi, Paravai urban area located. The Madurai – Alanganallur road passes through the

112
eastern side of this village. The old settlement is located in the central part of Kovilpappagudi, which is

very close to Periyarammai tank

The total area of this village is 459 hectares. It is a flat rolling surface. Tanks and canals mostly

mark the drainage of the village. Of the total area, about 90 hectares is under water bodies. The

Periyarammai tank is a huge tank which covers an area of 57.24 hectares and it is located in the

northern direction. In addition two canals pass through this village. One is located in the extreme west

and the other canal is in the east central part. In addition to this there are two ponds located in the

eastern side of the village.

Land Use in 1987

In 1987 agricultural land use was the most important type while government and other land use

had the least share.

About 68.7% of land area is occupied by agricultural land which is distributed throughout the

village. Water bodies cover nearly one-fifth of the total area of the village and ranks second.

There are only two important residential areas. One is along the Madurai – Alanganallur road

and the other is the old settlement, which is the central part of the village in the first time point. Added

together they had a share of 7.1% to the total area.

Fallow land occurs only in 2.6% of the village area. Four small patches could be seen. One patch

is located between the Madurai – Podumbu transport line and canal. Another major patch of fallow land

113
is located near the Sikkander Chavadi settlement area. The third patch of fallow land is located near the

old settlement. The fourth patch of fallow land is the smallest one and is located in the main part of the

agricultural land.

Government and other land occupies 2.1% of the total village area. This includes roads and

rivulets.

114
115
Land Use in 2000

In 2000, the land use in the village has undergone many changes (Figure 3.1). Agricultural land

use is reduced from the 68.7 to 51% of the total village area. Agricultural land is almost unaffected near

the major water bodies of the village but had experienced sizable decline in the eastern part where it is

converted more to fallow land or residential areas. Changes in agricultural land use area are also

witnessed in and around the old settlement area.

During the study period, there has been no change in area with regard to water bodies.

Residential area has become one of the most important land use types in 2000 (18.4). It could

be seen as a major type of land use in the eastern part of the village. It may be noted that the old

settlement and Sikkandar Chavadi area in the east are now linked. Further the expansion of area under

residential use could be seen in and around the old settlement. An important point noted here is that

most of the new areas under the land use are residential indicating the growing influence of Madurai

City. The population growth of this village supports this point. In 1981, the population is 2177 and it

increased to 4253 in 2001 (Table 3.3). This two fold increase in population supports that there is more

residential development. A small patch of residential land is in the northern part of the village which is

also near the tank.

116
 Table 3.3

Northern Fringe Settlements – Total Population

117
Sl. Vari Vari Vari
Name of the Village 1971 1981 1991 2001
No. ation ation ation

01 Kovilpappagudi 1930 2177 247 2916 739 4253 137

02 Mulakaranai 213 602 389 1193 591 1798 605

03 Anaiyur 3190 3296 106 11358 8062 32208 20850

Sambandan
04 1035 2508 1473 2809 301 4304 1495
Alangulam

05 Attikkulam 60 1969 1909 2838 869 4800 1962

06 Parasuramanpatti 545 1667 1122 1248 -419 1807 559

07 Parayattikulam 45 60 15 NA --- NA ---

08 Thiruppalai 3262 5318 2056 14014 8696 31725 17711

09 Alattur 865 1036 171 1334 298 1488 154

10 Kannikudi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11
Kadakkinaru 513 653 140 752 99 1401 649
118
12 Mangalagudi 607 760 153 883 123 934 51

13 Narasingam 3667 5360 1693 7040 1680 7719 679

14 Uthangudi 1527 2135 608 2848 713 3221 373

15 Vandiyur 4730 8288 3558 15345 7057 21977 6632

Source : Compiled by Researcher

There has also been an increase in fallow land in 2000 (9%). Some of the agricultural land has

become fallow lands throughout the village. One major patch of the fallow land is located in the western

side of the village which is near the canal. In the eastern side also, many patches of fallow land could be

seen and these are very close to the residential land use. In and around the Periyarammai tank and old

settlement there are a lot of fallow lands.

There is no change in the government and other land. It occupies the same 2.1% of the total

village area (Table 3.4).

119
120
Land Use Changes in 1987 – 2000

The following changes could be observed during the time points of study.

1. Land use changes are most prominent on the eastern parts of the village, which is adjoining the
Madurai city.

2. There has been a major shift from agricultural land use to residential land use validating urban
influence and possible suburban development.

3. The increase of fallow land is also indicative of the urban impact because legally agricultural land
cannot be directly converted to residential area. It must be left as fallow for a particular period
and only after that it can be converted into residential plots.

3.3.2 Mulakaranai

Mulakaranai village is located in the northern side of Madurai Corporation. The village is

bounded by Vaigaikkulam in the north, Melappanangadi in the east, Anaiyur in the southeast and

Silayaneri in the south. In the southwest Kovilpappagudi and in the west Podumbu are located. The

Madurai – Alanganallur road passes through the western edge of the village. The old settlement is

located in the central part of the village.

The total area of the village is 212 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. There are four canals.

Two of them pass through the western side of the village while the third one passes through the east.

The fourth canal occurs in the northern part. In addition to these canals there are two water bodies, one

in the southern side of the village and the other is located near the old settlement.

121
Land Use in 1987

In 1987 agricultural land use has the highest share while residential land use had the least share

of the land (Table 3.5).

122
123
 Agricultural land occupies 86 % of the total land area and is distributed throughout the village.

Government land uses cover 4.4 % of the total village area.

Water bodies and fallow land occupy the third and fourth rank with slight variation of

percentage (3.7% and 3.6%).

Residential land use has only 2.3 % of the total village area and it is seen in two patches, one is

the old settlement and the other one is near the Madurai -Alanganallur transport line.

Land Use in 2000

124
 In 2000, agricultural land use has been reduced from 86 % to 69.1% of the total village area. The

agricultural land has been drastically converted mainly as fallow land and residential land.

Fallow land use has increased from 3.6% to 15.9% and it ranks second. Most of the agricultural

land in the eastern part of village is converted into fallow lands.

With a share of 6.9% residential land ranks third. It occurs mostly in the western part of the

village. Only a small proportion of residential conversion has occurred in the eastern and northern parts

of the village.

Government and other land (4.4%) and water bodies (3.7%) occupy the fourth and fifth rank and

no change in their share in 2000.

Land use Changes between 1987 and 2000

The following changes could be observed during the time points of study:

1. Both fallow and residential land use change has increased mainly through the conversion of
agricultural land use.

2. A significant residential land use change occurred in the western part of the village. This may be
due to residential development of adjacent village Kovilpappagudi and nearness to the Madurai –
Alanganallur Road

3. Residential land conversion in the eastern part of the village is lower than the western side. This
may be due to lack of transport lines and its location away from the Madurai City.

125
 4. Growth of population indicates only normal growth and no sudden increase. This may indicate
that the urban influence is less in this village.

3.3.3 Anaiyur

Anaiyur is located in the northern part of Madurai Corporation boundary. The village is bounded

by Kilpanangadi and Melpanangadi in the north and by Madurai Corporation and Sambandan Alangulam

in the east. In the south Madurai Corporation, in the west Thathaneri and Silayaneri and in the

northwest Mulakarani form the boundaries. The Madurai–Kulamangalam road passes through the

village from south to north cutting the village into two halves. The old settlement is located on the

western side along the Silayaneri road.

The total area of this village is 429 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. The drainage of the

village is marked by two tanks and two canals. Anaiyur tank is one of the largest tanks and it is located in

the northwestern part. The other tank, Mudakattan tank, is located in the southern part of village. One

canal passes through the central part of village while the other one passes through the west.

Land Use in 1987

Table 3.6 shows that the agricultural land use has the highest share while fallow land use had

the least share in the year 1987.

126
127
 Agricultural land occupies 66% of the total village area and is distributed throughout the village.

Residential land use has 13% of the total village area and it is seen in four patches. One is in the

south along the Madurai – Kulamangalam road. The second patch is located in the central area along

Madurai – Kulamangalam road. The third patch of residential land is located in the eastern part near the

Madurai Corporation boundary. The fourth patch of residential land use is the old settlement, which is

located in the west.

Water bodies occupy the third rank (11.3%). Government and other land use type occupies 5.2%

of the total village area. It includes roads and rivulets.

Fallow land occupies 3.8% of area in Anaiyur village. Two major patches could be seen. One

patch is located at the southeastern side of the village near Madurai Corporation and Madurai –

Kulamangalam road. Another patch of fallow is located near the old settlement along the Silayaneri

road. Other than these many small patches could be seen in the northern and central parts of the

village.

128
Land Use in 2000

Figure 3.3 shows that land use in the village has undergone many changes in 2000.

Residential land use has become one of the most important land use types in 2000 (43%) and it

ranks first. It may be noted that the entire southern and eastern parts of this village near Madurai

Corporation and Madurai – Kulamangalam road have been brought under residential land use. Further,

areas around old settlement in the southwest have also been converted to residential land use. Much of

this conversion may be due to the development of residential colonies by State Housing Board indicating

the growing influence of Madurai City. The population growth of this village supports this point. Total

population of the village increased from 3190 in 1971 to only 3296 in 1981. However, there was a

129
tremendous increase between 1981 and 1991 when population increased from 3296 to 11358 in 1991.

Such an increase is not possible with natural growth alone and indicates only migration from the city.

Thus it is clear that this village has been experiencing suburban development even before the first time

point of the present study, namely 1987. This increasing trend was vigorous between 1991 and 2001

also, during which the population increased by about three times.

Agricultural land use has been reduced from 66.7 to 34.4% of the total village area and it ranks

second. The agricultural land has been drastically converted mainly as residential land use and some

areas have been converted as fallow land.

Water bodies (11.3%) rank third and there is no change in their share in 2000.

Fallow land use increased from 3.8% to 6.1% and it ranks fourth. Most of the agricultural land in

the eastern part of village is converted into fallow lands.

Government and other land occupies (5.2%) fifth rank and there is no change in their share in

2000.

Land Use Changes between 1987 and 2000

The following changes could be observed during the time points of study:

1. Residential land use has increased sizably mainly through the conversion of agricultural land use.

130
 2. Residential land use changes are most prominent on the southern and eastern parts of the
village, which is adjoining the Madurai city, thus validating the urban influence and suburban
development.

3.3.4 Sambandan Alangulam

Sambandan Alangulam is located in the northern part of the Madurai Corporation. Sambandan

Alangulam is bounded by the north and west by Anaiyur and in the east and south by Madurai

Corporation. The Madurai – Alanganallur road passes through the western edge of the village.

Among the northern fringe village it is one of the small villages covering an area of only 78

hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. With reference to drainage there is only one tank named as

Sambandan Alangulam with an area of 6.7 hectares. In addition to this there are two small ponds.

Land Use in 1987

Figure 3.4 shows the land use of this village in both time points. It may be noted that residential

land use is the single largest type of land use in 1987. Accounting for nearly two-thirds share of the total

area, it is predominantly found in all areas of the village except the northern part.

131
 Agricultural land ranks second and it accounts for a share of 16.5%. The presence of a tank in

the north is responsible for the concentration of agricultural land use in that part. In addition some small

patches of agricultural land use are also found in the southwest and central parts of the village.

Fallow land ranks third and occupies 8% of the entire village area. Most of the fallow lands are

found near the transport lines and residential area

About 7.6% of the village area is under water bodies Sambandan Alangulam tank is the only

major source of water body.

Government and other land constitutes about 5.2% of the village area. Government and other

land is seen around the tank region and in the eastern parts of the village.

132
Land Use in 2000

The land use pattern of 2000 also has residential as the first ranking land use type, while

agricultural land has the least ranking.

Table 3.7 shows that the residential land use occupies nearly 80% of the total land area. It is

distributed all over the village except the north and central part.

133
134
 Fallow land ranks second. Though its share is almost same, spatially its distribution has shown

changes. In the first time point, fallow lands had a widespread distribution. But in 2000, it is restricted

only to the north central part around the lake area. This conversion is mainly from agricultural land.

There has been very small change in water bodies. Two ponds are converted into residential

land use.

Area under Government land use types declined from 5.2 % in 1987 to 2.8% in 2000. The

changes are seen only in the lake region.

Agricultural land use has been drastically reduced from 16.5% to 1.8% of the total village area.

Central and southern part of agricultural land use are converted to residential land use, while in the

northern part agricultural land use has been converted into fallow land.

Sambandan Alangulam became a fringe village of Madurai city when the boundary of the latter

was extended in 1971. Hence it resulted in the rapid conversion of land to residential area especially in

the southern part of the village, which forms a common boundary with Madurai City. This is evident

from a more than two fold increase of population from 1035 in 1971 to 2508 in 1981. Hence it may be

said that even before the first time point of study, this village has been under the urban influence of

Madurai City. However between 1981 and 1991 the village had only a low growth rate of population.

135
This may be due to small areal extent as well as due to lack of transport facilities. However, the

population growth has again picked up between 1991 and 2001 and numbered to 4304 in 2001.

Land Use Changes in between 1987 and 2000

Following are the salient features with regard to the land use changes that have taken place
between 1987 and 2000:

1. Residential land use has shown an overall increase in between 1987 and
2000.

2. There has been a major shift from agricultural land use to residential land
due to the impact of Madurai City.

3. Government land use has also been converted to residential land use with the development of
few residential colonies.

3.3.5. Attikkulam

Attikkulam village is located in the northern part of Madurai Corporation. It is bounded by

Thiruppalai in the north and northwest, Parasuramanpatti in the northeast and Madurai Corporation in

the south. In the western part of the village is the Madurai–Natham main road. Old settlement is located

on the western side in between the Natham road and western bank of Chinnapuliyan Lake.

Among the northern fringe villages Attikkulam is one of the smallest villages covering an area of

only 64 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. Drainage is marked only by the presence of tanks, which

cover a total area of 9.6 hectares. Attikkulam tank, the largest tank, is located in the north. Periyapullyan

136
tank is located in the central part while the Chinnapullyan tank is located in the southwestern side of the

village.

Land Use in 1987

In 1987, residential land use was the most important type while fallow lands had the least

significance in this village.

Residential land use occupies 49.3% (Table 3.8) of the village area. From figure 3.4 it may be

noticed that the residential land use is mainly found in the east, south and western parts of the village,

clearly bringing out the impact of Madurai City, which lies on the other side of the boundary.

137
 27.0

138
 Agricultural land use ranked (31.7%) second. The northern and the central parts of the village,

especially those surrounding the water bodies have this type of land use.

Water bodies covered about 14.8% of the village area.

Government and other land (3%) and fallow land (1.2%) are the other types of land use. Fallow

lands are found only in the northern part of the village. Only two small patches of fallow lands are seen.

139
140
Land Use in 2000

Covering three fourths of the total village area residential land use (Table 3.8) ranks first, while

fallow land (1.1%) accounts the least share of the village.

Share of water bodies has declined from 14.8% in 1987 to 13.6% in 2000. This is mainly due the

construction of Tamil Nadu Government slum clearance board housing board colonies because of the

natural calamity of floods in the year 1985.

Agricultural land use has been drastically changed from 31.7% in 1987 to 6% in 2000. Much of

this conversion is from agricultural to residential land use. Spatially, all the agricultural lands have been

converted to residential land use except those in the northeastern part of the village.

Population of this village increased from a mere 60 in 1971 to 1969 in 1981, 2838 in 1991and

4800 in 2001. Similar to the 1971 and 1981 period, the 1981 and 2001 period also experienced

migration of population from the city to the new residential areas in the village, validating the impact of

Madurai City and associated suburban development.

Land Use Changes in between 1987 and 2000

There has been a tremendous increase in the residential area with a 27% increase between 1987

and 2000. Much of this increase has occurred in the central and northwestern part.

141
3.3.6. Parasuramanpatti

Parasuramanpatti is located in the northern part of Madurai Corporation. Parasuramanpatti is

bounded by Parayattikulam and Madurai Corporation in the east, Attikkulam in the west, Thiruppalai in

the north and Madurai Corporation in the south. Old settlement is located near the Madurai

Corporation boundary which is the southeastern side of the village.

Among the Northern fringe villages Parasuramanpatti is also the one of the smallest villages

covering an area of only 62 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. Drainage is marked only by the

presence of Parasuramanpatti tank which covers an area about 8.7 hectares. Other than this tank there

are two small canals.

Land Use in 1987

In 1987 residential land use occupies nearly half of the total village area and ranks first. Fallow

land occupies the least share of the total village area (Table 3.9).

142
143
 Accounting for about 50.3% of the total village area, most of the residential land use is

distributed in the southeastern side of the village, adjoining Madurai Corporation.

With regard to the agricultural land, which has a share of 24.5%, it is found only in the northern

and southwestern side of this village mainly around Parasuramanpatti tank.

Water bodies have a share of 16.1%. Parasuramanpatti tank is located in the heart of the village.

In addition to this two canals are found one in the north and the other towards the south of the village.

Government and other land occupies 6.3%. In includes roads and small rivulets.

There are two small patches of fallow land, one in the southwestern part and the other at the

northeastern part.

144
Land Use in 2000

In 2000 not much change could be seen in the distribution of land use in this village. There has

been a marginal increase of residential land use and a marginal decline in agriculture and fallow land use

types.

Parasuramanpatti village shows a mixed characteristic of population growth. There has been a

sudden increase of population between 1971 and 1981. This may be due to the expectation that as a

fringe village, there may be extension of facilities. However, population declined between 1981 and

1991 for which no specific reasons could be given. Even though population increased from 1248 in 1991

to 1807 in 2001, it has not brought much change in the land use. Since the village is away from main

transport lines, changes are not much.

145
3.3.7. Parayattikulam

Parayattikulam village is located in the northern side of Madurai Corporation. The village is

bounded by Thiruppalai in the north, Madurai Corporation in the east and south and Parasuramanpatti

in the west. The old settlement is located in the southeastern part of the village.

Among the northern fringe villages Parayattikulam is the smallest village covering an area of

only 44 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. With reference to drainage there is only one tank named as

Parayattikulam tank with an area of 6.3 hectares. Other than this tank a canal occurs in the northeastern

part of the village.

Land Use in 1987

The land use pattern of 1987 shows fallow land as the first ranking land use type while

government land has the fifth rank (Table 3.10).

146
147
 Fallow land occupies 37% of the total area and is distributed mostly in the northern part and

western part as a continuous stretch. Other than this there are three small patches, which are located

near the residential land area in the eastern and southeastern sides of the village.

Agricultural land ranks second and it has a share of 30.8% which is found in central and southern

parts of the village.

About 14.9% of the village area is under water bodies.

With a share of 14.2%, residential land occupies the fourth rank. From figure 3.7 it may be noted

that the concentration of residential land use occurs in the southeast near the old settlement.

Government and other land constitutes about 3.1% of the village area. It is seen only as small

rivulets.

148
149
Land Use in 2000

2000, residential land use is the first ranking land use occupying about 72.1% of the total land

area. It is distributed all over the village except around the Parayattikulam tank region.

There is no fallow land in 2000. All the fallow lands that were present in 1987 have been totally

converted to residential land use.

Agricultural land use has drastically declined from 30.8% in 1987 to 9.9% in 2000. Agricultural

land use is converted into residential land use. The population distribution is very low. In 1971, the

population is 45 and it increased to 60 in 1981. In 1991 the Parayattikulam village is merged with

Kannanendhal panchayat in Thiruppalai village. As there is no identification of this village in the census

book the investigator made a field visit and observed that the lands are demarcated for the residential

plots but the building construction process is very slow. Hence it may be concluded that most of the

area, which has come newly under residential land use, is kept as vacant plots for future construction.

There is no change in area under both water bodies (14.9%) and Government land (3.1%).

Land Use Changes between 1987 and 2000

The overall changes that could be noticed in the village are:

150
 Residential land use has been the single dominant land use. There was a tremendous

increase in the residential land use with 57.9% between 1987 and 2000. Even though this

village is located very close to Madurai Corporation boundary and the residential land use

conversion is high, the distribution of population is comparatively very low. Absence of major

roads for accessibility may be a reason for this.

3.3.8. Thiruppalai

Thiruppalai is located in the north central part of the Madurai Corporation boundary. The

administrative area includes four smaller villages namely Thiruppalai, Naganakulam, Kannanendal and

Sirudur. The village is bounded by Pechikulam, Ayyanarpuram, Virapandi and Chettikulam in the north,

Alattur in the northeast, Madurai Corporation in the east and southewest, Attikkulam, Parasuramanpatti

and Parayattikulam in the south and Keelapanangadi and Anaiyur in the west. The Madurai-Natham

road passes through the village from north to south, cutting the village into two equal halves. The old

settlement is located in the western part of Thriuppalai village along the banks of Thiruppalai tank.

The total area of the village is about 888 hectares. The village has a generally flat rolling surface.

Tanks, ponds and canal mark the drainage of the village. Added together, water bodies cover about 96

hectares of land in this village. Five tanks namely Manendal tank, Chinna tank, Thiruppalai tank,

Kannakkan tank and Nagankulam tank are located in the western part of the village. Three tanks namely

Sirudur Chinna tank, Sirudur tank and Kannaendal tank are located in the eastern part of the village. In

addition to these tanks three ponds are located on the western side and five ponds in the eastern side.

One canal passes through the village in a northwest –southwest direction

Land Use in 1987

151
 Figure 3.8 shows the land use of this village in both time points. In 1987, agricultural land use

has the highest share while Government and other land use had the least share of the land.

Agricultural land occupies 58.9% of the total land area and is distributed throughout the village.

Residential land use has 18% of the total village area and it ranks second. It is mostly seen along

Madurai – Natham road.

Water bodies rank third and account for a share of 14.5%.

Fallow land occupies 6.9% and it ranks fourth. Fallow land is distributed as many small patches

and it can be noted that they occur mostly along the outer boundary of residential land use area. In

addition a number of patches are also noted that on the eastern side of the village.

Government and other land ranks fifth (1.7%). In includes roads and small rivulets.

152
Land Use in 2000

The land use pattern of 2000 indicates residential land use as the first ranking land use type

while Government and other land use has the least ranking.

Table 3.11 shows that in 2000, the residential land use has increased from 18% to 45% of the

total village area. It may be noted that the southern and central part of this village particularly areas

near Madurai Corporation and area on either side of Madurai–Natham road have been brought under

residential land use. The population growth of this village supports this point. The total population of

the village increased from 3262 in 1971 to 5318 in 1981, 14014 in 1991 and 31725 in 2001. Such an

increase is not possible with natural growth alone and it indicates only migration from the city. Thus it is

clear that this village has been experiencing suburban development from the first time point also. This

153
increasing trend was vigorous between 1991 and 2001 also during which the population increased by

more than two times.

Agricultural land use has been reduced from 58.9% to 29.8% of the total village area and it ranks

second. The agricultural land has been drastically converted mainly as residential land use and some

areas have been converted as fallow land.

Water bodies (14.5%) rank third and there is no change in their share in 2000.

Fallow land use increased from 6.9% to 9% and it ranks fourth. Most of the fallow lands are seen

around the residential land use areas.

Government and other land occupies (1.7%) fifth rank and there is no change in their share in

2000.

154
 T a b l e 3 .11

L a n d us e C ha n g e in T hir up p a l a i

LA N D U S E 1987 ( % ) 2000 ( % ) Ch an ge ( % )

A g r ic u l tu r a l L a n d 58 . 9 29 . 7 - 2 9 .2

F a ll o w L a n d 6 .9 9 .0 2 .1

G o v e r n m e n t & O th e r L a n d 1 .7 1 .7 -- -

R e s i d e n tia l L a n d / P l o t 18 . 0 45 . 1 2 7 .1

W a te r B o d ie s 14 . 5 14 . 5 -- -

T o ta l 100 100

19 8 7 200 0

Legend

A gricu ltu ral land R esidential land

F al low land W ater bodies
G overnmen t & O th er land

155
Land Use Changes between 1987 and 2000

The following changes could be observed during the time points of study:

1. Residential land use has increased tremendously through the conversion of agricultural

land.

2. Residential land use changes are most prominent on the southern and western parts of the

village which is adjoining Madurai city, thus validating the urban influence and suburban

development.

3.3.9. Alattur

Alattur is located in the northern side of Madurai Corporation. The village is bounded by

Maranavariyendal in the north, Kannikudi in the east and Madurai Corporation in the southeast. In the

south and west lie Thiruppalai and Chettikulam villages. A link road joining Madurai Natham road with

Madurai–Alanganallur road passes through this village in the southeast to northwest direction. This road

cuts the village into two parts. Old settlement is located in the eastern side of the village.

The total area of the village is 198 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. Drainage is marked in the

presence of three major tanks. Alattur tank is the largest tank which covers a total area of 13.6 hectares

and it is located in the north. The other two tanks are found on either side of the Madurai – Alanganallur

156
road. A canal is also passing parallel to Madurai – Alanganallur road. Other than these there are two

small ponds located in the southern side of canal.

Land Use in 1987

Out of the total area, agricultural land use has the highest share while government and other

land use has the least share of the land (Table 3.12) in 1987.

Agricultural land occupies about three fourth of the land area and is distributed throughout the

village.

Water bodies rank second and account for a share of 14.9%.

Residential land covers only 4.8% of the total village area. From Figure 3.9 it may be noticed that

the residential land use is mainly found on both sides of Madurai – Alanganallur road.

Fallow land and Government and other land use occupy fourth and fifth rank with almost same

percentage share.

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Land Use in 2000

The land use pattern of 2000 also has agricultural land use as the first ranking land use type

while government land has the least ranking.

Table 3.12 shows that in 2000 agricultural land use has been reduced from 75% to 56.5% of the

total village area. The agricultural land has been converted mainly as residential and fallow land.

With a share of 19.6% residential land ranks second. A significant residential land use change

occurs on both sides of Madurai–Alanganallur road, especially in the southern side. This may be due to

residential development of adjacent village Thiruppalai. Another significant residential land use is found

in the southeastern side of the village which is adjoining Madurai City. A major district road connecting

160
Madurai and Natham forms the boundary of the village in the northwestern part. This may be the main

reason for the conversion of non-residential land use to residential land use in that area. Even though

the residential land use is high the village had a population of 865 in 1971, 1036 in 1981, 1334 in 1991

and 1488 in 2001. This indicates that the population increase is only the natural growth. Therefore it

may be concluded that most of the newly converted residential areas are kept as vacant plots.

Fallow land use has increased from 2.7% to 6.4%. Most of the agricultural land especially near

the transport line in the southern side of the village area is converted into fallow lands. From Figure 3.9

it may be inferred that due to the proximity of this land use nearer to residential use, all these fallow

land may be converted to residential land use in future

There is no change in area under water bodies and government and other land.

Land Use Changes between 1987 and 2000

Land use changes are more prominent on both sides of Madurai– Alanganallur road,

Madurai–Natham road and near the Madurai Corporation region.

A significant residential land use change occurred in the south and southeastern part of the

village. This may be due to residential development of adjacent village Thiruppalai and Madurai

Corporation.

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 A comparison of residential land use and population growth indicates that during the study

period, population growth rate is normal but residential land use conversion is high. This means that

most of the converted areas are plots, which may become full-fledged houses only in distant future.

3.3.10. Kannikudi

Kannikudi is located in the northern side of Madurai Corporation. The village is bounded by

Sunderasanpatti in the east, Kadakkinaru in the southeast, Madurai Corporation in the south, Alattur in

the west and Maranavariyeandal and Iluppaikulam in the north.

Among the northern fringe villages Kannikudi is one of the small villages with an area of only 80

hectares. It is a flat rolling surface. It is an uninhabited village. With reference to drainage there is one

tank named as Kannikudi tank, located in the northern part of the village and it covers an area 10.06

hectares. In addition to this there are two ponds, one is located in the east and the other one is in

southern part of the village. One canal is found in the western side of the village.

Land Use in 1987

Figure-3.10 shows the land use of this village in both the time points. It may be noted that

agricultural land use (69%) is the single largest type of land use in 1987. Government land (0.2%) has the

least ranking.

Water bodies rank second and account for a share of 21.4% of the total village area.

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 Accounting for 9.4 of the village area, fallow land ranks third. Three patches of fallow land could

be seen. One patch is located in between the Kannikudi tank and pond. The other two patches of fallow

lands are located near the central region.

Small rivulets of Government and other land are noticed in the northern part of village.

Land Use in 2000

In 2000 also, agricultural land use had the highest share, while government land had least

ranking of the land use (Table3.13).

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 Agricultural land use had been reduced from 69% in 1987 to 63.4% in 2000. The agricultural land

had been converted into only fallow land.

Water bodies have slightly reduced from 21.4% to 21% and this is converted only to agricultural

land.

Fallow land use has increased from 9.4% to 15.3%. Most of the fallow lands occur in the

northern part of the village.

Land Use Change between 1987 and 2000

The following changes have taken place between 1987 and 2000:

1. Fallow land use has increased mainly through the conversion of agricultural land use.

2. Investigator made a field visits and observed that the fallow lands are converted into

residential plots meant for construction of residential quarters for the Police department. However, till

date they are vacant and hence the village remains uninhabited.

3.3.11. Kadakkinaru

Kadakkinaru is located in the northeastern side of Madurai Corporation. The village is bounded

by Sunderasanpatti in the north, Karungalakudi and Pudupatti in the east, Narasingam in the south,

Madurai Corporation in the southwest and Kannikudi in the west. The old settlement is located in the

165
central part of the village. Madurai – Alagarkovil road passes through this village. This road cuts the

village into two parts.

The total area of this village is 137 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. The drainage is marked

by tanks and ponds. Kadakkinaru tank is located in the eastern part of the transport line. Another tank is

located in the western part of the transport line. Other than these tanks there are five ponds located in

the village. In addition to these ponds there is a canal which passes through the western side of the

village.

Land Use in 1987

In 1987 agricultural land use has the highest share while government and other land use has

the least share of the land (Table 3.14).

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 More than half of the land area is occupied by agricultural land use (53.5%) and it is distributed

throughout the village.

Fallow land covers 17.7% of the total village area and it ranks second.

About 13.5% of the village area is under water bodies.

Residential land use has 11.5% of the total area of the village and it is seen in the western side of

the Madurai – Alagarkovil road.

Government and other land use has only 3.8% of the total village area and it ranks fifth.

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Land use in 2000

The land use pattern in 2000 indicates that the agricultural land use is dominant and ranks first

in land use type while government and other land use has the least ranking (Figure 3.11).

Agricultural land use has been slightly reduced (53.5% to 48%). Fallow land has increased from

17.7% in 1987 to 22%. Most of the agricultural land both the sides of Madurai – Alagarkovil road is

converted into fallow lands. These fallow land areas are for future conversion to residential land use.

During the study period, there is no change in area with regard to water bodies and government

and other land use (13.5% and 3.8%).

With a share of 12.7% residential land ranks fourth. Only a small proportion of residential

conversion has occurred. Population growth shows normal development (513 in 1971, 653 in 1981 and

752 in 1991) and the increase is only 239 persons between 1971 and 1991. But in 2001 the population

has increased to 1401 indicating an addition of about 650 persons between 1991 and 2001. However,

compared to the population increase, the residential land use conversion is low. A possible explanation

for this may be that during 1987, the residential land use might have included more vacant plots that

have absorbed the increasing population between 1991 and 2001.

Land Use Changes between 1987 and 2000

The following changes could be observed during the time points of study:

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 1. Fallow land use conversion occurs mainly near the Madurai–Alagarkovil road. These fallow lands

will be converted to residential land use in future. Wet lands cannot be converted directly into

residential land use. They must be first left as fallow for a few years and rather can be converted

for residential land use. As an evidence, it may be noticed that two areas marked ‘x’ and ‘y’ on

both maps in Figure 3.11 were fallow land in 1987 and converted to residential land use in 2000.

3.3.12. Narasingam

Narasingam is located in the eastern part of the Madurai Corporation boundary. It is bounded

by Kadakkinaru, Pudupatti and Arumbanur in the north, Othakkadai and Anaimalai hillocks in the east,

Ulaganeri and Uthangudi in the south, Mangalagudi in the west and Madurai Corporation in the

northwest. Narasingam is divided in to four bits according to its revenue records. Narasingam’s I bit is

located in the south; II bit is located in the western part of the village; III bit is located in the northern

part and IV bit is located in the central part of the village. The old settlement is located in the eastern

part of the village near Anaimalai hills.

The total area of the village is 580 hectares. The land surface is flat and rolling. Many small tanks

and ponds mostly mark the drainage of this village Northern part of the village has comparatively more

number of tanks and ponds than the southern part of the village. Narasingam tank is located in the

central part of the village, which covers an area of 16.5 hectares.

Land Use in 1987

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 In 1987, agricultural land use was the most important type while Government and other land

use had the least share (Table 3.15).

172
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 About 69% of land area is occupied by agricultural land use which is distributed throughout the

village.

Fallow land covers 12.2% of the total village area and it ranks second. Fallow lands mostly occur

in the I and II bits of the village near the adjacent village of Uthangudi and Madurai Corporation area.

About 10.1% of the village area is under water bodies. Other than tanks and ponds, two canals

pass through the village. One is in the eastern side while the other occurs in the western side.

Residential land use is concentrated in three major patches in Bit I and II. Important among

them is the old settlement area in the southeast. Other than these, minor residential land use spots

could be found in the northern part of the village.

Government and other land use ranks fifth and it occupies 1.7% of the total village area.

174
Land Use in 2000

In 2000, the land use in the village has undergone some changes (Figure 3.12). Agricultural land

use has been reduced from 69% to 55.4% of the total village area. Most of the agricultural land use of I

and II bit has been mainly converted as residential and fallow land. III and IV bits of the village have

undergone very minor changes in the agricultural land use.

Residential land use has increased from 7% to 17.6% and it ranks second. Most of the

agricultural land in the western part of the village is converted into residential use. Figure 3.11 shows

that most of the fallow lands in the first time point had been changed to residential land use in the

second time point.

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 With a share of 15.2% fallow land ranks third. It occurs mostly in the I and II bit of the village

area.

During the study period, there has been no change in the areas with regard to water bodies and

government and other land use.

Population of this village has increased from 3667 in 1971 to 5360 in 1981, 7040 in 1991 and

7719 in 2001. It is observed that between 1971 and 1991 population growth is high. This may be due to

migration of population from the city to the new residential areas in the village near National Highway

45B.

Land Use changes between 1987 and 2000

The following changes could be observed during the time points of study:

Land use changes are more prominent on the western parts of the village. A significant

residential land use change occurred in the western part of the village. The reason that could be

attributed to the increase in the residential land use is mainly due to the existence of NH 45 B that passes

through the southwestern part of the Narasingam village. The same NH 45B, which goes through

Uthangudi village, has greatly influenced the development of Uthangudi village and this development

has further influenced the nearby Narasingam village too (See also fig.3.14).

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 Both fallow land and residential land use changes have increased mainly through the conversion

of agricultural land use. This may be due to residential development of nearness of Madurai Corporation

and National Highway 45B.

Residential land conversion is lower in the eastern and northern parts like III and IV bits of the

village than the western side of village. This may be due to lack of transport lines and its location away

from Madurai City.

3.3.13. Mangalagudi

Mangalagudi is located in the eastern side of Madurai Corporation boundary. The village is

bounded by Narasingam in the north and east, Uthangudi in the south and southwest and Madurai

Corporation in the west. The old settlement is located in the central part of the village.

The total area of this village is 146 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. With reference to

drainage there is only one tank named as Mangalagudi tank with an area of 23.6 hectares. In addition to

this there are two small canals found in the eastern side of the village.

Land Use in 1987

Figure 3.13 shows the land use of this village in both time points. It may be noted that the

agricultural land use is the single largest type of land use in 1987 and fallow land use had the least share.

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 Agricultural land use accounting for more than three-fourth shares of the total area is

predominantly found in all areas of the village.

Water bodies cover about 16.6% of the village area and it ranks second.

Government and other land use occupies third rank (3.1%).

Residential land and fallow land occupy the fourth and fifth rank with a slight variation of

percentage (1.8% and 1.3%).

Land Use in 2000

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 Table 3.16 shows that in 2000 the agricultural land use has been reduced from 77.2% to 54.7%

of the total village area. The agricultural land use has been drastically converted mainly as fallow land.

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 Fallow land has increased from 1.3% in 1987 to 22% in 2000 and it ranks second. Most of the

agricultural land in the western part of the village is left as fallow land.

Water bodies remain in the same position with a share of 16.6%.

With a share of 4.8% residential land use ranks fourth. It occurs mostly near the road. A small

patch of residential land is in the northeastern part of the village which is also between the road and

canal.

Population of Mangalagudi village increased from 607 in 1971 to 760 in 1981, 883 in 1991 and

934 in 2001. The increase of population is only 327 persons between 1971 and 2001. So the growth of

population in the village is more due to natural increase and migration is insignificant. Therefore the

residential land use of the Mangalagudi village has not changed much in the two time points of the

study. Hence it may be concluded that the influence or impact of Madurai city on the village land use

pattern is less significant.

Area under government and other land use type declined from 3.1% in 1987 to 1.9% in 2000.

The government land has been converted into agricultural land use. This is due to the illegal occupation

of the rivults bounds by the farmers to raise vegetable cultivation.

Land Use Changes between 1987 and 2000

The major changes are:

The fallow land use has increased mainly through the conversion of agricultural land use.

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3.3.14. Uthangudi

Uthangudi is located in the eastern part of the Madurai Corporation boundary. The village is

bounded by Mangalagudi in the north, Narasingam in the northeast, Ulaganeri in the east, Ilandaikulam

and Vandiyur in the south and Madurai Corporation the west. The National Highway 45B road passes

through the village from west to east cutting the village into two halves. The old settlement is located on

the central part of the village along the NH45B.

The total area of this village has 397 hectares. It has a flat rolling surface. The drainage of

the village is marked by one huge tank namely Uthangudi tank located on the northern part of

the village and seven small and medium sized ponds and two canals. Out of the seven ponds,

three ponds are located on the southwestern part of the village, three ponds are located in the

central part of the village and the remaining one pond is located in the southeastern part of the

village. One canal passes through the southern part of the village while the other one passes

through the north.

Land Use in 1987

Table 3.17 shows that the agricultural land use has the highest share while government and

other land use had the least share in 1987.

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 Agricultural land occupies 55.6% of the total village area and is distributed throughout the

village.

Water bodies occupy the second rank (17.2%).

Fallow land occupies 13.1%. Most of the fallow lands are located in the western part of the

village near the Madurai Corporation boundary. Some small patches of fallow lands are located in the

central, southern and eastern parts of the village.

Residential land use has 11% of the total village area and it is seen in many patches. One patch is

in the southwest corner of the village. Three patches are located in the western part on either side of

National Highway 45B. The old settlement is located in the central part of the village along NH 45B. One

patch of residential land is located in the eastern part of the village. The remaining three patches of

residential land use are located in the south. Even though the village is located near the Madurai

Corporation and NH45B passes through the village the area under residential land use during first time

point is comparatively lower. Even though this area has good road accessibility and nearer to the city,

the location of solid waste dumping yard in the Uthangudi village and drainage channel which carries

drain water from Pudur residential areas and industrial estates created an unhygienic environment.

These were the main preventive factors that stopped the residential attraction of this village.

Government and other land use occupy 3.1% of the total village area. It includes roads and

rivulets.

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Land Use in 2000

Figure 3.14 shows that the land use in the village has undergone many changes in 2000.

Residential land use has become the most important land use type in 2000 (40.7%) and it ranks

first. It may be noted that the entire western and southwestern part of this village near Madurai

Corporation and National Highway 45B road have been brought under residential land use. Much of this

conversion may be due to the multi specialty Meenakshi Mission hospital, Integrated Bus Stand,

development of ring road connecting Uthangudi and Thirumangalam and establishment of Madras High

Court–Madurai Branch. Even though the residential land use is high, the village had a population of 1527

in 1971, 2135 in 1981, 2848 in 1991 and 3221 in 2001. This indicates that the population increase is only

185
the natural growth. Therefore it may be concluded that most of the newly converted residential areas

are kept as vacant plots.

Agricultural land use has been reduced from 55.6% to 36% of the total village area and it ranks

second. The agricultural land has been drastically converted mainly as residential plots.

Water bodies (17.2%) and government and other land use (3.1%) rank third and fourth.

Fallow land use decreased from 13.1% to 3% and it ranks fifth. Most of the fallow lands are

converted into residential land use.

Land Use Changes between 1987 and 2000

The following changes could be observed during the time points of study:

1. Residential land use has increased tremendously mainly through the conversion of
agricultural and fallow land use.

2. Land use changes are more prominent on both sides of National Highway 45B and significant
residential land use changes occurred in the west and southwestern part of the village which is
adjoining the Madurai city, thus validating the urban influence and suburban development.

3.3.15. Vandiyur

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 Vandiyur village is located in the eastern side of Madurai Corporation. The village is located on

the banks of river Vaigai. Vandiyur village is bounded by Uthangudi and Ilandaikulam in the north,

Kalikappan and Andarkottaram villages in the east and by Madurai Corporation in the west. The whole

southern boundary is bounded by Vaigai River. Madurai–Sivaganga road passes through the northern

part of the village. It also separates Vandiyur tank from the village. The old settlement is located on the

banks of the River Vaigai in the south.

The total area of Vandiyur village is about 798 hectares. It has a generally flat rolling surface. An

isolated rock outcrop also occurs in the village. The drainage of the village is marked by the presence of

the tanks. Vandiyur tank is the largest tank, which covers a total area of 228 hectares and it is located on

the northwestern side of the village. Other than this there are two tanks which are found on the eastern

side of the village. A canal runs from north to south and may join River Vaigai after passing through

Andarkottaram village. Since Vandiyur tank is the biggest tank, this canal might have helped irrigation of

agricultural lands in the village.

Land Use in 1987

Table 3.18 shows water bodies (42.7%) as the first ranking land use type in 1987 while

government and other land use has the fifth rank (2.7%).

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 Agricultural land use occupies 37.8% of the total area and is distributed throughout the village.

Accounting for 9.7% of the village area, residential land use ranks third. Residential land use

concentration occurs in the southwest near the Madurai Corporation boundary.

Fallow land occurs in about 7.1% of the total area of this village. Four patches could be seen.

One big patch is located near River Vaigai. Two patches are located near the Melamadai bit area. The

fourth patch of fallow land is located at the northeastern side of the village near Madurai – Sivagangai

road.

Government and other land use occupies 2.7% of the total village area. This includes rocks,

roads and rivulets.

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Land Use in 2000

In 2000 also, water bodies (42.7%) is the first ranking land use type while government land

(2.7%) has the least share.

Residential land use has increased from 9.7% to 22% and it ranks second. Most of the

agricultural and fallow lands are converted into residential land use. Significant residential changes are

seen in four patches. One major area is located in the southern side of the village near River Vaigai. The

second patch of residential land use is found in the central part of the village. The third patch is seen in

western part of the village near Melamadai bit urban area. The fourth patch of residential land use

190
change occurs along the Madurai – Sivaganga road. Other than these, two small patches are also seen in

to eastern part of the village.

Agricultural land use has been reduced from 37.8% to 21.3% of the total village area. The

agricultural land has been drastically converted mainly as fallow and residential land.

Fallow lands have also increased their share between 1987 (7.1%) and 2000 (11.3%) and it ranks

fourth. Most of the agricultural lands near the residential land use are converted into fallow lands.

These are potential areas for future conversion of residential land use.

During the study period, there has been no change in the areas with regard to government and

other land use.

Population of this village has increased from 4730 in 1971 to 8288 in 1981, 15345 in 1991 and

21977 in 2001 (Table 3.3). This may indicate that the urban influence of Madurai city had started earlier

than the first time point of the study period. In 1971, the village had a total population 4730 and in 1981

it has doubled to 8288. Natural increase alone cannot explain this population growth. This may be only

due to migration of urban population to the fringe village. A linear pattern of land up to the city

supports this point. The sizable increase of population between 1981 and 2001 also proves that much of

the residential development is due to migration of population from the city validating the impact of

Madurai city and associated suburban development.

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Land Use Changes in between 1987 and 2000

Following are the salient features with regard to the land use changes that have taken place

between 1987 and 2000.

1. Residential land use has shown an overall increase between 1987 and 2000.

2. There has been a major shift from agricultural land to residential land due to the impact of
Madurai City.

3. The increase of fallow land is also indication of the urban impact.

The discussion made so far has brought out the spatio-temporal pattern of land use in the

northern fringe villages of Madurai City. It also brought out the variations in the degree of urban base of

northern fringe villages. As noted earlier, the physical base of southern fringe villages is different from

that of the northern fringes villages. Hence it is logical to expect different pattern of land use

distribution in southern fringe villages and this is explained in the next chapter.

192