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.

Climate

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.

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.

History

It was a Portuguese colony, dependent of Daman, from 1779 until 1954 when it was absorbed by India. From 1954 to 1961, the territory was largely self-governing, the administration being done by a body called the Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It became a Union territory in 1961 and is currently represented in the Parliament of India; the Lower House (Lok Sabha) and the Upper House (Rajya Sabha).

After prolonged skirmishes between the Portuguese and 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 Portuguese as compensation to ensure their friendship. The Portuguese ruled this territory until its liberation on 2 August 1954. Subsequently the administration was carried on for some time by an administrator. The territory was merged with the Indian Union on 11 August 1961 as a Union Territory. Since liberation of the territory from Portuguese rule a Varishtha Panchayat was working as an advisory body of the administration, which was, however, dissolved in August 1989 and Pradesh Council for Dadra and Nagar Haveli was announced. Subsequently Dadra and Nagar Haveli District Panchayat and 11 village Panchayats were constituted as per Constitutional amendments at all India level.

TOURISM

Tourism sector has been assigned a high priority keeping in view the deep forest area and favourable climate. The prominent places of tourist interest Tad keshwara temple on Sakartod river at Brinddaban , There are beautiful gardens on the banks of river at Silvassa and Khanvel. A tourist complex at Khanvel named 'Van Vihar' has been set up. Van Ganga and Vandhara Garden on the Damanganga river, Bai Udyam, are other picnic points. There is also a Deer Park and a Tribal Museum. The development of water sports at Dudhani has been completed and Khadia Van Resort at Luhari is in full swing. Economy class tourist accomodation Yatri Niwas at Silvassa has been made operation.

Normally all feast of Hindus, Muslims and Christians are celebrated in this territory. However, tribal celebration differ. Varli and Kokna tribals celebrate Diwali in the name of Barash. Akhatrij is celebrated by Kokna tribes where ladies are the main participants. Divaso is celebrated by Dhodia and Varli tribes. Rakhi-Bandhan is celebrated by Dhodia. Other festivals are Bhawada amongst Varli and Koli tribes, Kali Puja by all tribes after harvesting of crops and Gram Devi before harvesting.

ECONOMY - Agriculture

Dadra and Nagar Haveli, a predominantly rural area having about 79 percent population of tribals has about 23, 627 hectares under cultivation. Agriculture is the principal occupation of Adivasis who represent 79 percent of the total population as per 1991 census. The main crops are paddy, ragi, small millets and pulses. The agriculture production is dependent on rainfall and mostly on a single crop system. In addition to the main crops, crops like Jowar, wheat, tuvr, oilseeds and sugarcane are also grown. The types of vegetables grown are brinjal, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower etc. Forest cover 40 percent of the total geographical area. The tribal population depends primarily on forests has been given exclusive rights for collection of minor forest produce free of cost.

Animal Husbandry

The livestock population constitutes cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and other animals. There is a well equipped veterinary Hospital at Silvassa and two veterinary centres at Dapada and Khanvel. To meet the requirements of poultry birds and to demonstrate the improved methods of poultry keeping, government is running a poultry breeding-cum-demonstration farm.

Industry

At present there are in all four industrial estates in the territory. The co-operative industrial estate is at Silvassa and the government estates are one each at Masat, Khadoli and Silvassa.

The products manufactured include spectacle frames and flooring tiles, art silk fabrics, chemicals, detergent powder, electrical fixtures, watches etc. Main items exported include forest products, rubber foam etc. Items imported include petroleum, cloth and sugar.

Irrigation and Power

Prior to liberation of the territory, there was no irrigation facility. Later on adequate steps were taken and 118 lift irrigation schemes were completed at various places in the territory. A multiple irrigation project Damanganga is also in its final states. Power is made available from the Central sector power generating stations located in the Western region and the entire territory is electrified.

Forest

Forestry is an important economic resource of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It consists of teak, sadra, khair, mahara, sisam etc. which constitute the main wealth of the territory. The area under forests is 20852 hectares that is 43 percentage of the total geographical area. The area of the forest is spread over 58 villages. The teak and khair are the most predominant species available in this territory. A forest based industry producing 'Katha' out of Khair wood has also been set up.