Dadra And Nagar Haveli

Dadra and Nagar Haveli was a union territory of the Republic of India till January 2020, after which it was merged into one larger union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and is now one of the 3 districts in this larger union territory. 

Nagar Haveli and Dadra are two different geographical areas near Maharashtra and Gujarat. Unlike most other places in India, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were ruled over by the Portuguese till post-independence and were only annexed and incorporated into the Indian state after Indian forces took control of the area in 1954. The area was officially incorporated as a Union territory in 1961.

Even though Dadra and Nagar Haveli have a higher area than 4 times that of Daman and Diu combined, the population density is less than half of Diu and only a quarter of that of Daman, thus making the area very sparsely populated.

The capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is Silvassa, and as described by the official website for the tourism department of the region, it is a Sylvian paradise that deserves the name.

History of Nagar Haveli and Dadra

The Dadra and Nagar Haveli area was given to the Portuguese as compensation by the Maratha empire when it caused damage to the Portuguese Frigate Santana in the late 1700s. They were allowed to collect taxes from the region, but after the Marathan empire fell to the British, the Portuguese became the de facto rulers of the region. 

After independence, the residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, with the help of volunteers from the freedom movement, finally took back control of the region in 1954, even though, internationally, the region was still accepted as part of the Portuguese empire. In 1961, the Indian constitution was amended to incorporate Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli as part of the Indian state but only in 1974 was an international treaty between Portugal and India signed to finally bring an agreement on having the area formerly a part of the Indian union.

Geography of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

The geography of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is rich in having the Daman Ganga river and also having the Western Ghats rising towards the east end of the region. The north and Northeast are highly hilly due to the mountain ranges; the central region consists of plains with very fertile land toward the river that flows through the area with its 3 tributaries. 

The area is under 43% forest cover, of which only 2.45% belongs to the protected forest category. The area has a wildlife sanctuary that covers about one-fifth of the total area of the union territory, which provides a home to Leopards, Hyenas, Jackals and a variety of other animals and birds. This biodiversity has made Dadra and Nagar Haveli a hub for safaris and eco-tourism.

The economy of Dadra and Nagar haveli

About 60% of the population of the area is employed in agriculture, with a total land area of about 48% being used for cultivation. Smaller industries are also starting to thrive in the region with lucrative tax regulations in the area. A steady employment rate of 5% per annum has been recorded in the area. 

Dadra and Nagar Haveli Tourism

Dadra and Nagar haveli have a rich tourism industry with its prominent architecture from the Portuguese Era, its wide-ranging geography and wildlife are seen in the region. The climate in the region allows for tourists to visit almost year-round except during the monsoon season. The summers are not that hot due to the proximity of the area to the sea, and the winters experience pleasant weather. 

Tourists planning to visit the location would want to look into the lakes and Safaris available in the territory along with the different museums and Churches they have seen in the area. 

The main tourist attractions of the capital of the region include the century-old church of the Old lady of Piety, the ruins of Tadkeshwar Mahadev Temple, and the tribal museum.

The city of Dudhni is an ideal location for lovers of aquatic sports and games. It is situated about 40 km away from the capital and is situated near the Damanganga River.

For people looking to stay closer to the capital, we have the city of Luhari, which is only 14km away and is a region of rich forest cover. Tourists may stay at the Machan style cottages near the forest areas.

Khanvel is about  20Km from Silvassa and is surrounded by green hills. The Sakartod river flows nearby, and you can spot flying foxes, flycatchers and barbets in the forest. For those who wish to go on the famous Safaris of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, visiting Vasona for its Lion Safari is a must. The area is spread over 20 hectares, and visitors are taken in vans to closely admire the beauty of the Lions and other fauna of the region.

Another option for Safari enthusiasts is Satmalia which has many species of Antelope and many other animals, including blackbuck, and varieties of Deer, not to mention a rich variety of birds in the region.

Conclusion

Dadra and Nagar haveli is a region of rich history and wildlife perfect for tourism. The region is highly covered in forests and has a very sparse population. The region, though, is slowly developing and is becoming a very important territory in India in multiple sectors.