Location:
West Region Of India
Capital:
Silvassa
Best Time
To Visit: November to
March |
Tourism in
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Dadra & Nagar
Haveli - General Information
Area :491sq.km
Capital :Silvassa
Population :2,20,451
Males : 1,21,731
Females : 98,720
Languages :Bhili, Bhilodi, Gujarati
and Hindi
Literacy :60.03%
The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar
Haveli is situated on the western coast of
India between the parallels of 20o and
20o25' of latitude north and between the
meridian 72o50' and 73o15' of longitude. The
territory is surrounded on the west, north
and east by Valsad district of Gujarat and
in the south, and south east by Thana and
Nasik districts of Maharashtra.
The district has a hilly terrain specially
towards the north-east where it is
surrounded by the ranges of Sahyadri
mountains (western ghats). The central
region of the land is almost plain and the
soil is rich and fertile.
The terrain is intersected by the river
Daman-Ganga and its three tributaries. The
river rises in the ghat 64km from the coast
and discharges itself in the Arabian Sea at
the port of Daman.
Dadra & Nagar
Haveli -
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 U.T. 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.
Industry
Prior to 1965-66, there was no industry in
the Union Territory. There were a few
traditional craftsmen who used to make pots,
leather items, viz., chappals, shoes and
some other items of bamboo. Industrial
development started on a low-key with the
establishment of an industrial estate under
the cooperative sector by Dan Udyog Sahakari
Sangh Ltd. Thereafter, three Government
Industrial Estates have been developed at
Silvassa, Masat and Khadoli in the U.T.
There are more than 1,600 S.S.I. units,
which include Cottage, Village Industries
and 430 Medium Scale/Large Scale Industries
in Textiles, Engineering, Plastics,
Electronics, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals,
etc., employing more than 43,100 persons.
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.
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 the 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. With the
commissioning of the said Sub-Station, the
electricity department is in a position to
provide electricity to all villages.
The Power requirement of the territory is
being met from Central Sector Power
Generating Stations located in the western
region. 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.
Tourist
Attractions in Dadra & Nagar
Haveli
The Tribal Cultural Museum at
Silvassa is an ideal place for those who are
too lazy to do some actual exploring. 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 rolling meadows and native-styled
cottages amidst terraced gardens. The calm
and gentle Sakartod River flows past Khanvel.
The Vanganga Lake and Island Garden
is a beautiful lake garden situated at a
distance of 5 km from the capital city of
Silvassa. The rustic wooden bridges, the
flowers, jogging paths, thatched huts, and
paddleboats-all constitute an ideal ambiance
for the honeymooners.
A 20-km drive from Khanvel is Dudhni where
the large waterfront of river Damanganga
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-truly a
visitors delight.
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 colorful 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.
Festivals of
Dadra &
Nagar Haveli
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.
Climate - Dadra &
Nagar Haveli
The climate of the region is warm and humid
during the summer months and humid but less
warm during the monsoon months. The
south-west monsoon from June to September,
brings copious rain to the territory. The
rainfall is about 250 to 300cm. The winter
months are generally pleasant.
Travel Information
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Transport
Dadra and Nagar Haveli does not have its own
road transport system. It avails of Gujarat
and Maharashtra state transport system.
Total road length is about 342 km. Bombay is
the nearest airport.
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Travel Guide / States / Dadra and Nagar Haveli Travel Guide
