Theni district

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Theni district is in the western part of Tamil Nadu, India, near the Western Ghats. It borders Dindigul, Madurai and Virudhunagar districts, and the state of Kerala to the west. Theni town is the district headquarters. The district is divided into five taluks: Theni, Bodinayakanur, Periyakulam, Uthamapalayam and Andipatti.

Geography and climate
The landscape has hills and plains, with many rivers such as the Vaigai and Manjalar, and big reservoirs like Lower Periyar, Vaigai, Shanmuganathi and Sothuparai. Meghamalai is a notable hill area, and Cumbum Valley in Uthamapalayam is famous for agriculture. The climate is hot in summer (around 40°C) and cooler in winter; in the hills it can drop to about 4–5°C.

History
Theni district was formed in 1997 when it was split from Madurai district. The Mullaperiyar dam project of 1886 brought water to Cumbum Valley, encouraging settlement and growth in the area.

Population and language
According to the 2011 census, about 1.25 million people live in Theni district. The sex ratio is around 991 females for every 1,000 males, and literacy is about 70%. Tamil is spoken by the majority, with Telugu and Kannada spoken by smaller communities. About half the population lives in urban areas.

Economy and production
Agriculture drives the economy. Major crops include sugarcane, cotton, rice, millets, pulses, groundnut and sesame. The district is also known for grapes grown in Cumbum Valley, with Muscat and Thomson Seedless varieties produced year-round. Cardamom, tea and coffee are important in Bodinayakanur and Andipatti, and Bodinayakanur is famous as a major cardamom market. Cotton mills and sugar mills are important industries, and there are tea estates in the hills. Kolukkumalai in Theni is home to the world’s highest-altitude tea plantation. The district also hosts wildlife areas like Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and part of the Srivilliputhur Elephant Reserve.

Wildlife and forests
Theni has a significant amount of forest land, including protected areas and several forest divisions. The Meghamalai and nearby reserves are notable for their wildlife and natural beauty.

Transport and people
The district has rail links, with a small metre-gauge network that has been converted to broad gauge. Theni Junction is the largest railway station in the district. The area is rich in culture and festivals, reflecting both Hindu traditions and local customs.