Tirunelveli District was formed in the mid 1800s by the then British government for their administrative convenience. In recent times it has been split into three different districts for administrative purposes by the Tamilnadu government. This land area has been mentioned even in Sangam Literature in praise of its natural resources. A unique distinction of this district is the fact that all five land types (Thinai), namely, Kurinchi, Mullai, Marudham, Palai and Neythal can be observed by one travelling west to east across this district.

Blessed with the perennial river, Tambraparani, which courses west to east through the district, agriculture has been the primary occupation of the inhabitants for millennia. It is claimed that the rare minerals found in the river water contribute to the special taste and consistency of the famous Tirunelveli Halwa. Another unique feature is that this land area receives both southwest and northeast monsoons in milder forms.  The natural beauty of its landscape has given rise to the popularity of many tourist attractions including, Manimuthar Falls, Papanasam Hills, and Kalakad Tiger Reserve Forest.  In addition to hundreds of hindu temples, there exist several christian churches and moslem durgas. 

The district is well known for business and industry providing employment and sustaining the local economy. The first cement manufacturing plant in Tamilnadu was set up in 1946 by India Cements Company in a village next to Tirunelveli town.  The Government of India has set up ISRO’s Propulsion Research Complex, Navy’s INS Kattabomman for communication with submarine vessels and Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant in the last 40 years or so.  

For well over a century, Palayamcottai town of the district has been recognized  as a highly reputable center for education upto graduate level.  Sarah Tucker College for Women, the first institution for higher education of women in all of South India, was established here in the year 1895. In recent times the Government of Tamilnadu established Manonmaniam Sundaranar University here. 

Though it may appear that the district is a well developed one,  the local economy in small towns and villages is still primarily agriculture based. There are many  improvements that need to be made in basic education, primary health, women empowerment and general employment. As a start, TNF is supporting the Digital Classroom Project in a school in a suburb of Tirunelveli city.  More such and other projects are very much in need and hope the necessary  resources will become available through the Mann Vasanai Project of TNF.   Please donate to make Tirunelveli a successful district.