Evolution of sedentary pastoralism in south India: case study of the Kangayam grassland

Pastoralism

Research, Policy and Practice

Table 1 Change in human population and area occupied in Dharapuram taluk from 1800 to 1991

Year	Human population	Human density (no/sq km)	Occupied area (ha)
			Dry area	Wet area	Total
1991	395940	183			195786*
1881	195232	90	185799	3304	189103
1851	147224	68	121165	2989	124110
1800	70176	32	57755	1425	59158
			(26.7)	(0.7)	(27.3)

* = Total area - (forest + barren & uncultivable area+ non agricultural use)
Note: The human population of Dharapuram taluk in 1881 was 11.8% of the Coimbatore district. Based on this figure, the population before 1881 was derived from the population of Coimbatore district. Statistics for area occupied in 1861 was used to estimate the area occupied per person. Area occupied prior to 1861 was estimated by multiplying the area occupied per person (1861) and the human population of the respective years. Figures in parentheses indicate the percent of above.