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Dadra
Nagar Haveli
Geographical Area : 487
Population in 2001 : 2 20 490
Estimated population in 2025 : 1 31 000
Provisional
Numbers in Census 2011
Dadra Nagar Haveli population as percentage of
India : 0.03%
Population in 2011 : 3 42 853
Males 1 93 178
Females 1 49 675
Sex ratio : 775
Under 6 Sex ratio : 924
Number of Districts : 1
Number of habitated villages : 70
Capital
Silvassa
Principal Languages
Gujarati, Hindi
History
and Geography
After prolonged skirmishes between the Portuguese and the
Marathas, on 17 December, 1779, the Maratha Government assigned
the aggregated revenue of Rs 12,000 in a few villages of
this territory to the Protuguese as compensation to ensure
their friendship. The Portuguese ruled this territory until
its liberation by the people on 2 August, 1954. From 1954
till 1961, the territory functioned almost independently
by what was known as "Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli Administration".
However, the territory was merged with the Indian Union
on 11 August, 1961, and since then, is being administered
by the Government of India as a Union Territory. After liberation
of the territory from Portuguese rule, a Varishtha Panchayat
was working as an advisory body of the Administration. This
was dissolved in August 1989, and a Pradesh Council for
Dadra and Nagar Haveli District Panchayat and 11 Village
Panchayats were constituted as per constitutional amendments
at All India level. The UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli has
an area of 491 sq km, and it is surrounded by Gujarat and
Maharashtra. It consists of two pockets namely, Dadra and
Nagar Haveli. The nearest railway station is at Vapi, which
is 18 km from Silvassa.
Agriculture
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a predominantly rural area with
about 79 per cent tribal population. It has about 21,115
hectares under cultivation. Major crop is paddy (Kharif)
while Nagli and other hill millets are crops of the area.
Among fruits Mango, Chiku and Banana, etc., are also produced.
Forests cover 40 per cent of the total geographical area.
Sugarcane
cultivation has also been taken up in a big way since the
last few years. And efforts are afoot to adopt a multiple
cropping system in assured irrigated areas. During 2006-07,
87 MT of H.Y.V. seeds were distributed to 2211 farmers along
with 1407 M.T. of chemical fertilizers to 6449 farmers.
The organic farming scheme will shortly be implemented in
Dudhani and Mandoni patelads. To this end, 60 Kisan Credit
Cards have been issued.
The
Wadi Development programme in the tribal area of both Dadra
and Nagar Haveli is implemented by the N.G.O., B.A.I.F.
with the financial allocation from NABARD, a total of 800
tribal and scheduled caste families will benefit.
Irrigation
and Power
Prior to liberation of the territory, there was no irrigation
facility and cultivators had to fully depend upon rainfall.
After the merger of the territory with the Indian Union,
adequate steps were taken under minor irrigation sector.
So far 128 lift irrigation schemes have been completed on
irrigation wells, surface water sources like rivers; check
dams at various places in the territory crearing additional
irrigation potential of 1,851 hectares. Under medium irrigation
project viz., Damnganga Reservoir Project, about 115 km
of minor canals and distributaries are falling in the area
of this Union Territory. Development works have been completed
in field channels in all respects in 4,300 hectares and
testing is done in 4,049 hectares.
There
was no rural electrification prior to liberation of this
territory. The electricity was provided with only one DG
Set which was installed and operated in Silvassa Town for
VIPs at Circuit House.
After
liberation, the UT Administration commenced rural electrification
work with the co-operation of neighbouring State of Gujarat
and completed electrification work in 25 villages by 1976.
The power demand of the UT is met by Gujarat Electricity
Board through a single Circuit from Vapi-Silvasa and distributed
amongst limited number of consumers. The first 66 KV Sub-Station
was established at Amli in 1979. With the commissioning
of the said Sub-Station, the electricity department is in
a position to provide electricity to all villages.
One
more 220/66 KV, 2x160 MVA sub-station at village Khadoli
has been approved by the Ministry of Power. The Power Grid
Corporation of India will execute this work, which is likely
to be completed within three years. In addition to this,
a proposal for the establishment of various 66/11 KV sub-stations
at Vaghdhara, Athal, Piparia, Sayli, Velugam etc is in the
pipeline.
The
Power requirement of the territory is being met from Central
Sector Power Generating Stations located in the western
region. At present the power allocation from the Central
Sector is 270 MW. The power demand has increased tremendously
due to rapid industrialisation with the extension of Tax
Holiday benefit to this UT by the Government of India.
Transport
The Union Territory depends heavily on Maharashtra and Gujarat
road network as the territory can be accessed only after
crossing these two States from Mumbai. At present road length
is about 635 km. out of which 570 km. is surfaced. Almost
all villages are connected with all weather roads. The rail
route from Mumbai to Ahmadabad links Vapi also. Mumbai is
the nearest airport. Recently, the work of widening of roads
in the Union Territory has been taken up to meet the requirement
of increasing vehicular traffic.
To
meet the need of rapid industrialisation, four-laning work
has been taken up in Silvassa and adjoining areas, besides
other spill over works. Converting of two lane road to four
lane road for a length of 17.69 kms has been completed.
The Dadra - Tighra road is under progress and during the
current financial year i.e. 2007-08, another 5.70 kms length
of road connecting Silvasa and Naroli is likely to be converted
into a four-lane drive.
Festivals
Normally, all festivals of Hindus, Muslims and Christians
are celebrated in the territory, while tribals celebrate
their own festivals. Diwaso is celebrated by Dhodia and
Varli tribes, and Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by Dhodia
tribe. Other festivals include Bhawada amongst Varlist,
Koli tribes and Khali Puja by all tribes after harvesting
of crops and Gram Devi before harvesting of crops
Tourism
Tourism sector has been assigned high priority, keeping
in view the dense forest area and favourable climate. The
prominent places of tourist interest are Tadekeshwar Shiva
Mandir, Bindrabin, Deer Park at Khanvel, Vanganga Lake and
Island Garden, Dadra, Vanvihar Udhyan Mini Zoo, Bal Udhyan,
Tribal Museum, and Hirvavan Garden at Silvassa. To encourage
tourism activities, some traditional and modern cultural
activities like celebration of Tarpa Festival, Kite festival,
World Tourism day, etc., are organised every year.