Economy
Fishing is the major industry. Tharuvai fishermen use both mechanized and non-mechanized country boats for fishing. Prized catch include Tiger prawns and lobsters which are mostly exported. Coral mining and diving for conches is also found here, though mostly the trade is declining. The government actively discourages these activities as Tharuvaikulam falls under the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.
A number of prawn hatcheries had sprouted up since 1990, but most shut down by 2000. However, still there are a few profitable hatcheries operating here.
Salt mining is another lucrative industry. Production is mostly for industrial use.
In olden times there was a flourishing trade in palm tree products which has gradually declined over a period of time.
Agriculture is practiced on a small scale. Tharuvaikulam tomatoes are quite popular in the region. Red chilies are another favorite from the region. The vagaries of weather, however do not permit regular cultivation.
Read more about this topic: Tharuvaikulam
Famous quotes containing the word economy:
“War. Fighting. Men ... every man in the whole realm is in the army.... Every man in uniform ... An economy entirely geared to war ... but there is not much war ... hardly any fighting ... yet every man a soldier from birth till death ... Men ... all men for fighting ... but no war, no wars to fight ... what is it, what does it mean?””
—Doris Lessing (b. 1919)
“Unaware of the absurdity of it, we introduce our own petty household rules into the economy of the universe for which the life of generations, peoples, of entire planets, has no importance in relation to the general development.”
—Alexander Herzen (1812–1870)