About Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a union territory. It lies near the west coast and consists of two separate parts. Dadra is surrounded by the state of Gujarat, and Nagar Haveli lies on the borders of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Union Territory covers an area of 491 square kilometers.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli has immense natural beauty. The lush green forests, meandering rivers, distant mountain ranges and a magnificent kaleidoscope of flora and fauna are the most intriguing aspects about this union territory.
The most important towns of the union territory are Dadra and Silvassa, which is also the capital city.
To the east of Dadra and Nagar Haveli lies the Western Ghats, and to its north and east lie the districts of Gujarat, whereas the districts of Maharashtra border it in the south. Towards the northeastern side of Dadra and Nagar Haveli the presence of the Western Ghats makes the terrain a little hilly but in the central part the land is mostly plain and is very fertile.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli comprise one district, one block and 72 villages. According to the 2011 census, it has a population of 3,43,709 people. An in-depth study about Dadra and Nagar Haveli reveals that there are a number of tribes in the region; these include Varlies, Kokana, Dhodia and Dublas. These tribal people are independent, self-sufficient and have their own culture and social way of life.
Dadra consists of three villages, and Nagar Haveli has the town of Silvassa and 68 villages. Known for its lush green forest reserves, meandering rivers and vast flora and fauna, this union territory is one of the most popular tourist destinations.
The territory enjoys a very pleasant climate from November to March, which is actually the best time to visit this place. The summer temperature does not go very high due to its proximity to the sea, and the nights are really pleasant. The southwest monsoon occurs from June to September. During this time there is profuse rainfall in the region. The rainfall is about 200 to 250 cm.
| Facts on Dadra & Nagar Haveli | |
|---|---|
| Official Website | www.dnh.nic.in |
| Date of Formation (Declared a Union Territory) | Aug 11, 1961 |
| Area | 491 sq km |
| Density | 698/Km2 |
| Total Population (2011) | 3,43,709 |
| Males Population (2011) | 1,93,760 |
| Females Population (2011) | 1,49,949 |
| No. of District | 1 |
| Capital | Silvassa |
| Rivers | Ganga River |
| Forests & National Park | Lion Safari WS, Deer Park-Silvassa |
| Languages | English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi |
| Neighbours State | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Daman n Diu |
| Literacy Rate (2011) | 86.34% |
| Females per 1000 males | 775 |
| Assembly constituency | 0 |
| Parliamentary constituency | 1 |
History
Prior to becoming a Portugese colony, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was under Maratha rule. The Portuguese ruled over this land for more than 150 years. In 1954 Indian nationalist volunteers forced the Portuguese to abandon India. It became a union territory in 1961.
Geography
With its geographical location at 20° 25' N and 73° 15' E, this territory lies towards the western side of the country between the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The place is situated in the river Daman Ganga's watershed. 40 percent of the land is covered with thick and dense forests. It is the homeland of simple, shy yet cheerful & colourful tribals who have enriched it with their rich folklore and vibrant lifestyle. Most of the inhabitants are Adivasis, who are divided into a number of tribal groups, including the Varlies, Dublas, Dhodias, and Kokanas. The population is predominantly Hindu. More Details...
Business and Economy
Agriculture is the main occupation of the state. The Adivasis mainly produce rice, wheat, sugarcane, paddy, pulses, and fruits. There is no large-scale industry. It is administered by the central Indian government. Forests cover some 40 percent of the area, the rest being devoted to the cultivation of rice and other cereals and to the grazing of livestock. Industrial development is limited. Silvassa, its capital is about 14 kms from Bhilad and Vapi. The nearest railway station is at Vapi via Western Railways, which is about 17 kms from Silvassa. The nearest airport is at Mumbai. More Details...
Infrastructure
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a union territory of the Indian subcontinent controlled by the federal government of India and therefore the latter is also responsible for its infrastructure. The President of India nominates an Administrator or 'Lieutenant Governor' who is the Head of the Government of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Silvassa is the capital city and hence, most of the infrastructure of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is regulated from there.
The road and transport infrastructure here is completely dependent on the State Transport systems of Gujarat and Maharashtra, which are its neighbouring states. More Details...
Demographics
According to the census performed in 2011, the population of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is 3,43,709 and on the basis of decadal census information, the union territory demonstrates the maximum population growth rate of 55.5% in India.
| Location | Western corner of India Wedged between Maharashtra and Gujarat |
| Latitude | 200 and 20025' North |
| Longitude | 72050' and 73015' East |
| Area | 491 sq km |
| Climate | Cold in the winters Hot in the summers |
| Max Temperature | 370° C |
| Min Temperature | 100° C |
| Average Annual Rainfall | Between 200-250 cm |
| Capital | Silvassa |
| Population | 3,43,709 |
| Languages | Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, English, Bhili |
| Religion | Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others |
| Best Time to Visit | November to March |
| Clothing | Summer - Light Cottons Winter - Woolens |
More Details...
Government and Politics
The union territories of India are controlled directly by the federal national government as they are defined as "The sub-national administrative divisions of India". The President of India nominates an administrator or Lieutenant Governor to preside over the government and politics of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It had long been under the Portuguese rule and it was only in the year 1954 that it was included within the subcontinent of India. Even then the government and politics here was independent and self-governing. More Details...
Society and Culture
The people, culture and festivals of Dadra and Nagar Haveli together present a colourful kaleidoscope. The majority of the people of Dadra and Nagar Haveli belong to various tribal groups. The major tribes include Kokana, Varlies, Koli, Dhodia, Kathodi, Naika and Dublas. The tribals have their distinct culture and sets of rituals that vary from community to community. Folklores flow in the air as they strongly influence and control the expected behavioural patterns within the society. Songs and dance are an inevitable part of these tribal groups and practically each occasion, be it harvest, marriage or death, is accompanied by various forms of music. Apart from the tribes of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the population comprises of people belonging to various religious sects. They have their own sets of festival with distinct rituals. However, the majority of the population is Hindu comprising approximately 95% of the population. The tribes have their individual languages, though Bhili and Bhilodi are most common. English is used for official purposes and the languages like Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati are widely popular, especially among the urban population due to the UT's proximity to Maharashtra and Gujarat. More Details...
Food
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is popular for its extravagant tribal culture. It has some exotic cuisines which is heavily influenced by Gujarat. The main ingredients used in this cuisine is pulses and vegetables such as wild mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Fresh water fish are also quite popular in this region.
Languages Spoken
The main languages of Dadra and Nagar Haveli include Marathi, Gujarati, Bhili and Bildoli. More Details...
Education
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is home to many good schools, colleges and other academic institutions. Other than this there are also many institutes imparting vocational educations. These are computer-training institutes, industrial training institutes, polytechnic institutes and other technical training institutes. Outstation students can get accommodation at hostels that are run by the government and private players. More Details...
Tourism
The Tribal Cultural Museum at Silvassa is a good place to get an insight into the history and culture of the state. It houses a good collection of masks, musical apparatus, fishing gadgets and life-size statues. Khanvel is situated at a distance of 20 km from Silvassa. The drive to Khanvel is lined with tall trees on both sides of the road. This serene landscape, surrounded by lush green hills, beckons nature lovers with its native-styled cottages amidst terraced gardens. The calm and gentle Sakartod River flows past Khanvel.
A 20-km drive from Khanvel is Dudhni where the large waterfront of river Daman Ganga provides breathtaking view of the water spread over Madhuban Dam. The luxurious tents pitched right near the bank provide a countryside experience. Tourists may also cook their own meals near the camp. On Silvassa-Dadra Road is Hirwa Van, a beautiful garden with roaring waterfalls, misty cascades, rustic stonewalls, twin arches, tiny kiosks and springy lawns interspersed with islands of flowers.
Vandhara Udyan at Silvassa is a riverside park with sprawling lawns dotted with exquisite pavilions, an ideal site for picnic buffs. There is also a mini zoo and Bal Udyan at Silvassa. The colourful birds, mischievous monkeys, awesome pythons and sleepy crocodiles coupled with swings, slides and merry-go-rounds render this site every kid's dream come true. More Details...
Transport
The location of the territory near the National Highway 8 or the Western Express Highway helps it connect to the major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Baroda. The place can also be reached by the following trains, which run through the Vapi railway station, the nearest station to Dadra & Nagar Haveli:
- Rajdhani Express
- Shatabdi Express
- Karnavati Express
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Last Updated on: August 05, 2019
