4. 4
Introduction: Dangs
Towns
District
Headquarter
§ Dangs is a tribal district located in southern Gujarat
§ The district shares its border with the State of Maharashtra
and is covered with high hills and dense forests
§ The district headquarter is Ahwa
§ Girmal, Waghai, Saputara, and Mahal are the major towns
of the district
§ The reserved forests in Dangs are amongst the richest
forests in the State
§ Dangs district is gradually emerging into an agro
processing and tourism hub
§ Saputara is an important tourist destination in the district
§ Rich wildlife, gardens, ropeway, sunrise point and echo
point are some of the main tourist attractions in Dangs
Saputara
Waghai
Ahwa
Girmal
Mahal
Map1: District map of Dangs with major towns
5. 5
Fact File
Zone IIISeismic Zone
Gujarati, Hindi and EnglishLanguages
59.06%Literacy Rate
986 Females per 1000 MalesSex Ratio
81 Persons per sq. kmPopulation Density
1,86,712 (As per 2001 Census)Population
AhwaDistrict Headquarter
1,764 sq. km.Area
Purna, Gira, Khapri and AmbikaRivers
3,048 mmAverage Rainfall
6Âș Centigrade (Minimum)
37Âș Centigrade (Maximum)
Temperature
20.39Âș to 21.05Âș North (Latitude)
73.29Âș to 73.51Âș East (Longitude)
Geographical Location
Source: Dangs District Profile & Socio-economic review 2006-07
7. 7
Economy and Industry Profile
§ In Dangs, 50% of population is working
§ Majority of population is dependent on agriculture for their
livelihood
§ Animal husbandry and bamboo cutting are the other
economic activities in the region
§ There are approximately 100 small scale industries in Dangs
§ Average landholding per household in the district is 1.58
hectares
§ Firewood accounts for fuel requirement of 91% of the
households, which is mostly collected from the forests
Source: Dangs District Collectorate
8. 8
Agriculture
11,359
1,294
13,165
Fruits Vegetables Spices
§ Major food crops and fruits produced in the
district are rice, ragi, kharsani, tuver, groundnut,
mangoes, custard apple, and others
§ 66% of the agricultural land in Dangs is situated on
slopes, with uneven terrain
§ Local traditional crops like ragi are best adapted for
cultivation in Dangs as it can grow in rain-fed areas
on sloppy land
§ The agricultural production pattern is slowly
changing from traditional coarse grains like ragi,
kharsani, and tuver to rice
Source: Department of Agriculture, Government of Gujarat, 2007
Fig. 1 Food Crop Production (MT) 2006-07
Fig. 2 Fruits, Spices, & Vegetable Crops Production
(MT) 2006-07
52,000
31,300
20,400
Rice Pulses Maize
9. 9
Forests
§ 59% of the area in Dangs is covered with forestland
(1,062 sq.km.)
§ The forestland predominantly falls under reserve
forests, and is the richest forest in Gujarat
§ The forests of Dangs are resources for medicinal
plants, such as Mardasingi (Helicteres ixora) and
Baheda (Tecome stans microcarpa). Besides these,
Sag (Tectona grandis), Khakro (Butea monosperma),
Umbero (Ficus racemora), and bamboo trees are
also present
§ The Purna Wildlife Sanctuary and the Vansda
National Park present in the district are home to
wildlife such as hyena, sambar, chital, barking deer,
and monkey Source: Dangs District Collectorate
Dangs
Purna Sanctuary
Vansada National
Park
Map 2: Wildlife Sanctuaries
10. 10
Small Scale Industry Clusters
Food-based industries
Bamboo furniture
z
Plantation and nursery
development
Farm-based industries
Map 3: Small Scale Industry Clusters
Source: Dangs District Collectorate
Saputara
Waghai
Ahwa
Girmal
Mahal
11. 11
Economy Drivers
§ Forestland provides maximum opportunities to generate
sustainable livelihood and employment for the villagers
§ Animal husbandry and dairy production have increased
business opportunities for the local population
§ Agro-processing and tourism are the supporting pillars of the
economy
§ Plantation and nursery development activities have the potential
to generate maximum wage employment
§ The district also owns a few small and large waterfalls, rich
forests, beautiful landscapes, and a tribal culture which account
for huge influx of tourists in the district
13. 13
Source: Dangs District Profile Booklet, 2007
Map 4: Dangs Road & Rail Network
§ Dangs is well connected with Maharashtra state by roads
§ A railway line connects Waghai with Navsari district
Road and Rail Connectivity
Road, Rail and Airport Connectivity
349Ahmedabad
100Valsad
479Mehsana
660Jamnagar
Distance (km) *Major Talukas
190Ankleshwar
266Vadodara
139Surat
570Rajkot
Distance (km)*Major Indian Cities
297Mumbai
1111Delhi
732Hyderabad
1278Chennai
1609Kolkata
Airport
§ Nearest airport from Ahwa is at Surat situated at a distance
of 139 km, which is well connected to Delhi, Ahmedabad,
and Jaipur
* All distances are measured from Ahwa
Table1: Distance of Dangs from Major Industrial Centers
14. 14
Water Supply
§ Water supply for industrial purposes in the district can be obtained from two main sources, viz Gujarat
Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB) and irrigation Canals
§ Almost all water supply systems in the district are based on groundwater reserves
Water
6Washing facilities
168Cattle trough
98Pipeline
154Stand Post
167Drinking water tanks
No. of villagesFacilities Available
Source: Dangs District Collectorate
Table 2: Centralised Water Supply Infrastructure
16. 16
Education:
§ There are 412 primary schools and 32 secondary and higher
secondary schools in the district
§ The Anganwadi is the primary service centre for integrated child
development are present in 210 out of 311 villages
§ A Government Arts & Commerce College is located at the district
headquarter Ahwa
§ The Industrial Training Institute in the district imparts training in
diverse areas such as cutting and sewing, armature and motor
rewinding, computer operating and programming assistance,
wireman, hair and skin care, electrician, fitting and stenography
1Polytechnic
College
TotalEducational
Institutes
1Other Colleges*
1ITI
Higher Secondary
Schools
32
Secondary
Schools
412Primary Schools
*Other Colleges: Arts and Commerce
College
Table 3: Educational Infrastructure
Education
Healthcare:
§ The district has one community healthcare centers, seven primary
healthcare centers, and forty seven sub-centers
§ There is one Central Government Hospital present at Ahwa
§ The district also has one Government Ayurvedic Hospital and nine
Ayurvedic dispensaries
18. 18
Tourism
Source: Gujarat India Guide
§ Saputara, also known as âAbode of Serpentsâ, is a hill resort on a
plateau of the Sahyadri range of mountains that offers rich wildlife for
tourists
§ Saputara Museum contains interesting information about the
topography and anthropology of Dangs
§ Hatgarh Fort situated 60 km from Saputara was built by Maratha
Leader Chhatrapati Shivaji and is a beautiful piece of architecture
§ Gira Falls (3 km from Waghai) is a 30 meter natural drop into Ambika
River and offers solace and relaxation
§ Purna Wildlife Sanctuary in the district has the thickest forest cover
in the State and is filled with canopies of teak and stands of bamboo
§ Girmal Falls is the most picturesque sight in the district
§ Vansda National Park in Dangs, harbors large mammals including
the leopards, hyena, jungle cat, macaques and barking deer. It is also
home to the endangered Great Indian Squirrel
Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
Gira Falls
20. 20
Investment Opportunities
* Detailed Sector/ Project Profiles for investment opportunities available at www.indextb.com
Animal Husbandry
§ Dairy production
§ Poultry
§ Tannery business
Agriculture
§ Farm based products
§ Forest based products
§ Cattle feed
§ Food processing industries
Tourism
§ Eco-tourism
§ Hotels
§ Campsites
§ Rural tourism
21. 21
Annexure I
Map 4: Dangs Road & Rail Network
Map 3: Small Scale Industry Clusters
Map 2: Wildlife Sanctuaries
Map 1: District Map of Dangs with Major
Towns
Maps
Figure 2: Fruits, Vegetables, and Spices
Production 2006-07
Figure 1: Food Crop Production 2005 â 06
Figures
Table1: Distance of Dangs from Major
Industrial Centers
Table 3: Educational Infrastructure
Table 2: Centralised Water Supply
Infrastructure
Tables
22. 22
Annexure II : Abbreviations
SSI : Small Scale Industries
GWSSB: Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board
ITI : Industrial Training Institute
