West Godavari district

West Godavari district district
పశ్చిమ గోదావరి జిల్లా
District of Andhra Pradesh

Location of West Godavari district district in Andhra Pradesh
Country India
State Andhra Pradesh
Administrative division West Godavari district
Headquarters Eluru
Government
 • District collector Katamaneni Bhaskar[1]
 • Lok Sabha constituencies Narsapuram (Lok Sabha constituency), Eluru (Lok Sabha constituency)
 • Assembly seats 15
Area
 • Total 7,742 km2 (2,989 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 3,934,782[2]
 • Urban 20.55%
Demographics
 • Literacy 74.32%
 • Sex ratio 1004
Major highways NH-16 NH-214, NH-214A
Coordinates 16°55′N 81°20′E / 16.917°N 81.333°ECoordinates: 16°55′N 81°20′E / 16.917°N 81.333°E
Website Official website

West Godavari District is one of the 13 districts, in the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is located at Eluru. As of 2011 Census, the district had a population of 3,934,782, 19.74% of which is urban population.[2]

History

Rajahmundry (also called Rajamahendravaram) was a part of the Buddhist kingdom of Vengi. The Eastern Chalukyas ruled coastal Andhra from 700 to 1200, with Vengi, near the village of Pedavegi, as their capital. Historical evidences are found at the villages of Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem). Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471. Later it fell into the hands of the Gajapathis. In 1515 Sri Krishna Deva Raya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was taken by the Sultan of Golkonda, Kutub Shah. In 1925, West Godavari District was formed with Eluru as its headquarters and all the district offices and regional offices were set up in Eluru town.

It was formed in April 14, 1921 - by dividing then Krishna and Godavari districts. The Godavari district was renamed as East Godavari district and the new district is named as West Godavari district.

Geography

Districts of Andhra Pradesh
River Tammileru near Eluru

West Godavari district occupies an area of approximately 7,700 square kilometres (3,000 sq mi),[3] comparatively equivalent to United States territory of Puerto Rico. The district is in the delta region of the Krishna and Godavari rivers. Khammam District lies to the north, East Godavari District to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the south, and Krishna District to the west.

Climate

The region has a tropical climate similar to the rest of the Coastal Andhra region. The summers (March–June) are very hot and dry while the winters are fairly pleasant. The temperatures in the summers often rise over 50 degrees during the day. The rainy season (July–December) is often the best time for tourist visits, as fields are brilliantly green with paddy crops, rivers flowing with monsoon water, and a relatively cool climate. The region has long been home to the Indian nobles due to its climate and fertile soil, and several zamindar large mansions are scattered around the Godavari area.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census West Godavari district has a population of 3,934,782,[4] roughly equal to the nation of Liberia[5] or the US state of Oregon.[6] This gives it a ranking of 61st in India (out of a total of 640).[4] The district has a population density of 508 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,320/sq mi) .[4] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 3.45%.[4] West Godavari has a sex ratio of 1004 females for every 1000 males,[4] and a literacy rate of 74.32%.[4]

Household indicators

In 2007–2008 the International Institute for Population Sciences interviewed 999 households in 48 villages across the district.[7] They found that 93.2% had access to electricity, 98.1% to drinking water, 56.7% to indoor toilet facilities, and 33.2% lived in a pucca (permanent) home.[7] 28.4% of girls wed before the legal age of 18[8] and 86.4% of interviewees carried a BPL card.[7]

Economy

The district is extremely fertile, getting water abundantly throughout the Cotton barrage built on the Godavari River at Dhavaleswaram. The barrage channels water through two canals. Topographically the district is divided into the Delta and the uplands.

In the Delta, aquaculture, coconut, lemon and rice are cultivated. The district is popularly known as the Granary of India since about 50% of the state's rice production comes from the district. In the uplands, oil palm, sugarcane, corn, mango, banana and other fruits as well as tobacco and cotton are produced. In the coastal belt of the district, prawns and fish is exported to Japan and the United States.

Development of manufacturing industries has been neglected despite availability of raw materials. However, ONGC started exploration activities in 1980 on the Krishna Godavari basin. Reliance & Cairn are making efforts to extract oil and gas.

Eluru is the largest city in West Godavari District, with a thriving woolen pile carpet industry. Tadepalligudem is the geographic center of the district and is biggest market centre. Bhimavaram is a hub for Prawns export and is the home of Vendra paper mills. Tadepalligudem has foods, fats and fertilisers industry. Tanuku has Andhra Sugars. Narasapuram is one Major Town in West Godavari DIST and it is famous for crochet lace products. Palakol is a famous for coconut exports (estimated at 200 crore per year).

Administrative divisions

Mandals

There are a total of 48 mandals in 4 Revenue divisions of West Godavari district. The 4 divisions are Eluru, Kovvur, Narasapuram and Jangareddigudem. The district has 1 Municipal Corporation of Eluru, 7 Municipalities and 5 census towns. The municipalities are Kovvur, Narasapuram, Nidadavolu, Palakol, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku and Bhimavaram. The 5 census towns include Dwaraka Tirumala, Gavaravaram, Sanivarapupeta, Satrampadu, Tangellamudi.[9][10][11]

Constituencies

Earlier there had been two Parliamentary Constituencies and 16 Assembly Constituencies. The Constituencies Delimitation Committee has reduced that to 15 and now there are two parliamentary and 15 Assembly constituencies in West Godavari district.

The parliamentary constituencies are Eluru, Rajahmundry and Narsapuram.

The Assembly constituencies are:[12]

Culture

Culture & Traditions at Kalavalapalli Village in West Godavari district

The vast majority of the district is rural in nature thus the culture of the district is mostly conservative and traditional. The joint family system and arranged marriages are the norm. Cities like Bhimavaram, Tadepalligudem and Eluru are a little bit more modern. The standard form of the Telugu dialect is spoken in this district just as its neighboring Krishna district.. English is commonly spoken by the younger generation as most higher education is conducted in English medium.

Education

Literacy Rate of West Godavari District is 74.63% (Census 2011).

Universities

Apart from these, there are around 2 Dental, 30 Engineering, a Medical and Law, 10 Nursing, 28 Management, 8 Pharmacy, 5 Polytechnic, 80 Arts & Science Colleges and 26 Teacher Training Institutions.

Tourism and landmarks

Caves on Dhammalingesvarasvami Hill at Guntupalle
Dwaraka Tirumala Temple Gopuram

Dwaraka Tirumala, an ancient holy place and a popular pilgrim center in the district. Sthala Puranam, a pilgrimage destination is called Dwaraka Tirumala after the great saint, Dwaraka, who located the self manifested idol of Lord Venkateswara after severe penance in a Valmikam (ant hill). The place is also known as Chinna Tirupati (mini-Tirupati). Perupalem Beach, located at a distance of 20 km from the town of Narasapuram. Godavari River and its banks are the scenic locations that attracts many nature observers. Ksheera Rama Lingeswara Swami Temple, one of the five Pancharama Kshetras, is notable for its 36.6 m (120 ft) Gopuram, located in Palakollu town. It was built by the Reddy Rajas, who ruled this place during 15th century.

Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari temple in Penugonda , an important destiny for Arya Vysya community. Bhimavaram is one of the Pancharama Kshetras, with the Somarama Pancharama dedicated to Lord Shiva, where he is known as Someswarudu. Adinatha Bhagavan Jain temple in Peda-Amiram. Juttiga is a small Village in Penumantra Mandal. A river by name "Gostanadi" which has got a historical significance is pass through it. Kovvuru, Pattisam, Papikondalu, Polavaram, Koruturu, Kamavaram, Jangareddygudem, Dwaraka Tirumala, Jeelakarragudem, Eluru, Pedavegi and Kolleru Lake are other nearby locations for tourist destinations.

References

  1. ↑ "Katamaneni Bhaskar New WG Collector". The New Indian Express. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "West Godavari district profile". Andhra Pradesh State Portal.
  3. ↑ Srivastava, Dayawanti et al. (ed.) (2010). "States and Union Territories: Andhra Pradesh: Government". India 2010: A Reference Annual (54th ed.). New Delhi, India: Additional Director General, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Government of India. pp. 1111–1112. ISBN 978-81-230-1617-7.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  5. ↑ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 2011-10-01. Liberia 3,786,764July 2011 est.
  6. ↑ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-09-30. Oregon 3,831,074
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS-3), 2007-08: India. Andhra Pradesh" (PDF). International Institute for Population Sciences and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  8. ↑ "How Do I? : Obtain Marriage Certificate". National Portal Content Management Team, National Informatics Centre. 2005. Retrieved 2011-10-03. To be eligible for marriage, the minimum age limit is 21 for males and 18 for females.
  9. ↑ "Mandals in West Godavari district". AP State Portal. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "Administrative Units of the District". The Official Website of West Godavari District. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "Part-I State Administrative Divisions 2001-2011" (PDF). Census of India. p. 6. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  12. ↑ http://ceoandhra.nic.in/Right%20to%20Infn.Act/annex1.htm District-wise Assembly-Constituencies in Andhra Pradesh

External links

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 Khammam district, Telangana
Krishna district East Godavari district
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Bay of Bengal