Chapter - II

GEOGRAPHICAL PERSANALITY
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT
2.3 LOCATION
2.4 PHYSIOGRAPHY
2.5 DRAINAGE SYSTEM
2.6 GEOLOGY
2.7 CLIMATE
2.8 SOIL
2.9 GROUND WATER SCENARIO
2.10 AGRO-ECOLOGICAL SITUATIONS
2.11 GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS
2.12 POPULATION
2.13 LAND HOLDING
2.14 IRRIGATION FACILITIES
2.15 FERTILITY STATUS AND NPK PATTERN
2.16 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION
2.17 INDUSTRIES
2.18 TRADE AND COMMERCE
2.19 CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL PLACES
REFERENCES
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Chapter - II
GEOGRAPHICAL PERSONALITY

2.1 INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is a major primary activity of human being. It is carried
under the control of natural environment. In spite of technological
development, environmental factors play key role in the development of
agriculture in the region. Socio-economic factors also support for the growth of
agriculture. Thus it is necessary to focus on the physical and socio-economic
factors of the study region to understand the agricultural scenario of the region.

2.2 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT

The present Raigarh district owes its name from the historical fort of
Raigarh built by Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is the erstwhile Kolaba
district of Maharashtra state. The reorganization of state in 1956, the Kolaba
district was incorporated in Bombay state. Since 1960, it forms a part of
Maharashtra state. Kolaba district has been renamed as Raigarh district from 1st
January 1981. Raigarh district forms a part of Konkan coastal plain and has a
north-south coastline of Arabian Sea about 240 km. The district has natural
scenic beauty and historical background with forts and ports constructed by
Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

2.3 LOCATION
Raigarh district is situated in Konkan region of Maharashtra state
covering an area of 7148 sq km which is about 2.27 per cent of the total area of
the state. (Fig. 2.1) It lies between 17o 51’and 19o 80’ N latitude and 72o 51’ and
73o 40’ E longitude with an altitude of 10 to 50 metres above mean sea level
(MSL). Raigarh district covers 240 km out of 720 km coastal length of Arabian
Sea.

17
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Raigarh district is surrounded by Sahayadri ranges (Western Ghat) in the

east and the Arabian Sea on the west and form natural boundaries. It is
surrounded by Mumbai Suburban district to the northwest, Thane district to the
north, Pune district to the east, Ratnagiri district to the south and Satara district
to the south east.
Table 2.1
Raigarh District
Tahsil Wise Area
Sr. Area in Area in sq
Name of Tahsil
No. hectares kms
1. Uran 18642 186.4
2. Panvel 57952 579.52
3. Karjat 65117 651.2
4. Khalapur 40616 406.10
5. Pen 49998 498.5
6. Alibaug 49901 499.01
7. Murud 26525 265
8. Roha 63239 632.39
9. Sudhagad 45801 405.01
10. Mangaon 68234 680
11. Tala 25425 253
12. Shrivardhan 26021 251.31
13. Mhasla 31170 332.88
14. Mahad 81047 810.00
15. Poladpur 37204 372.04
Total 686892 7148
Source - Socio-Economic Review & District Statistical Abstract of Raigarh
District - 2001

18
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.1

19
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.2

20
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Raigarh district presently consists of 26 towns, 15 Tahsils and 1919 villages,

spread over in Uran (62), Panvel (162), Karjat (176), Khalapur (120), Pen
(170), Alibaug (215), Murud (73), Roha (168), Sudhagad (98), Mangaon (184),
Tala (62), Shrivardhan (79), Mhasla (82), Mahad (182) and Poladpur (86)
tahsils and cover total geographical area of 686892 hectares (7148 sq. km)
which is 3.32 per cent of the total geographical area of the state. (Table 2.1 and
Fig. 2.2)

2.4 PHYSIOGRAPHY
Raigarh district forms a part of the Maharashtra, the micro level division of
coastal plain. It is slightly elongated in the north-south direction. Raigarh has a
long indented coastline. The length of the coast is about 160 km and the length
of the coast line is about 240 kms with a number of creeks and inlets. Though
the district forms an important part of the traditional 'Konkan Plain' ruggedness
and uneven topography form the governing theme in its physical features. The
Sahayadri ranges in the east send several transverse numbers of subsidiary hills
westwards denying the plains of a uniform level and continuous character.
Many of the subsidiary hills of varying heights reach the coastline to form
headlands or promotories. Fig. 2.3 shows the topography and Fig. 2.4 shows the
slope of the region.

On the basis of variation in local relief and other characteristics the district
can be grouped into six physiographic divisions i.e. (i) Sahayadri Hills, (ii)
Konkan Forested Hills, (iii) Sudhagad Plateau, (iv) Ulhas Basin, (v) Kal-Savitri
Valley and (vi) Raigarh Coast.

2.4.1 Sahayadri Hills

Sahayadri Hills are located in the extreme eastern part of the district. This
region is a narrow belt comprising of parts of Mahad, Poladpur, Karjat,
Khalapur, Sudhagad and Mangaon tahsils. Although the Sahyadries form a long
unbroken range within the district, this region is broken almost in the centre for

21
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

a distance of about 5 km by the Sudhagad plateau and the Kal-Savitri valley.

The hills at bottom have height above 200 metres, which reach up to more than
600 metres at the upper reaches. The region is characterized by having very
steep slopes. Pratapgarh at 1084 metres is the highest point. Most of the rivers
have their source in these hills. The hills are fairly covered with forest which are
mainly reserved

2.4.2 Konkan Forested Hills

Konkan Forested Hills located in the centre of the district comprise of
parts of Panvel, Khalapur, Alibaug, Pen, Roha, Mangaon, Tala, Murud, Mhasla
and Shrivardhan tahsils and a small part of Karjat tahsil. These hills are
basically an extension of the Sahayadri hills formed by the offshoots of the
Sahyadries, which run westward to the coast. These hills give rise to the
characteristic of parallel drainage pattern of the district. The hills, in general
attain height above 200 metres. The highest spot height of 791 metres on the
northern boundary of the district at Malanggarh 766 metres near Matheran are
observed. A number of rivers and streams transverse through these hills
breaking their continuity and forms alternate valleys. The streams are swift and
bring vast quantity of eroded materials and deposit in the lowest zone. As a
result, the valleys have relatively rich and fertile soils as compared to the hill
slopes. Kharip millets and rice are the main crops grown here in the region.
Gardening of Areca nuts and coconuts is also practiced.

2.4.3 Sudhagad Plateau

Sudhagad Plateau region comprises of a major part of Sudhagad Tahsil, a
part of Khalapur tahsil, and very small parts of Mangaon and Karjat tahsils. The
plateau is practically sandwiched between the Sahayadri hills in the east and
Konkan forested hills in the west and north-west. This plateau is located at a
height of about 100 metres though there are spot heights which rise to more
than 100 metres, the highest being observed 529 metres near Khemvadi and

22
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.3

23
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.4

24
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

444 metres near Sudhagad (Pali). The plateau slopes toward the west. The
important rivers flowing through this plateau are the Patalganga, Amba and
Kundalika. Forest cover is negligible on this plateau. Soils are shallow and poor
but yield hill millets and paddy.

2.4.4 Ulhas Basin

Ulhas Basin is located in the north-eastern corner of the district. This is the
smallest region in the district comprising only a part of Karjat Tahsil. The
region slopes towards the north. Though the highest spot height is of 610
metres, the general elevation of the basin is about 150 metres. The Ulhas river is
the only important river in the region and it flows northwards. An interesting
and economically important feature of the Ulhas drainage is that, it receives the
tail waters of Bhivapuri Hydel Station and this regulated flow of water is
capable of agricultural and industrial utilization. Forest cover is adequate.

2.4.5 Kal-Savitri Valley

Kal-Savitri valley is located in the south of the district. It comprises of
parts of Mangaon and Mahad tahsils and small parts of Mhasla and Poladpur
tahsils. The height of valley is around 100 metres but the upper reaches are
higher and rise to a height of above 500 metres at some places. The Kal and
the Savitri rivers are the main rivers draining this region. The Kal river flows
south and meets to the Savitri river, which flows westwards. The Savitri
River is tidal for a very long distance. The tidal stream moves up to the Kal
River, a tributary of the Savitri River, a little north of Goregaon town. Forest
cover in the valley is limited. The valley has 2 to 6 feet deep soils which are
loamy in texture. Intensive paddy cultivation is carried out in the valley.
Coconuts and Areca nuts gardening are also practiced.

2.4.6 Raigarh Coast

The Raigarh Coast located in the west of the district in a narrow strip,
comprises of the entire tahsil of Uran and parts of Panvel, Pen, Alibaug,
Roha, Murud, Tala, Mhasla and Shrivardhan tahsils. The region generally lies

25
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

below 100 metres but there are a number of spot heights rising to more than
100 metres, 321 metres in Mhasla Tahsil being the highest. There is limited
forest cover on the Raigarh coast. Small pockets of reserved forests occur
mainly in the south, in Murud and Shrivardhan tahsils. There are number of
creeks all along the coast. Mangroves, marshes and tidal flats are common
especially in the Pen, Uran and Tala tahsils where they are more widely
spread. All the rivers are tidal for a considerable extent. Coastal alluvium soil
is suitable for cultivation where intensive cultivation of paddy is carried out.
Coconut and Areca nut are also grown. Sea salt is also produced in this
region.

2.5 DRAINAGE SYSTEM

The district drained most by short westward flowing parallel streams
which originate in the Sahayadri hills in the east and flow into the Arabian Sea.
These streams are swift and bring vast quantities of eroded material and
deposit in the lowest zone near shoreline. Besides the general parallel
pattern of the rivers, the tributary pattern tends, at places, to be rectangular
suggesting the adaptation of the streams to the local rock structure. All the
rivers are tidal for a considerable extent and can be divided into two well-
marked sections above and below the limit of the tide. The upper courses
are steep and rugged with torrential waters flowing during the monsoon
season. Fording is difficult and often dangerous during the monsoons but
during the dry season they cease of flow and form chains of pools separated
by banks of gravel and ridges of rock. Below the tidal limit the bed is
muddy, broken by occasional dykes of rock and the creeks wind between
banks which are high in places but in others are so low that they have to be
raised to prevent the over flow of the tide. Fig. 2.5 show the drainage system
of the district.

26
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.5

27
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Raigarh district has six main drainage systems namely Ulhas,

Patalganga, Amba, Kundlika, Savitri, Bhogavati rivers etc. originated in
Sahyadri ranges and flows from east to west. Apart from these there are two
important rivers namely Ghod and Kal rivers. The district covered north side
by river Ulhas, Patalganga and Amba, middle side by river Kundlika and south
side by Savitri, Ghod and Kal rivers originated in Sahyadri ranges (Western
Ghat) and flow from east to west and meeting in the Arabian Sea. The rivers in
the district flow fast in rainy season due to sloppy land and dried in summer
season. Due to mixing of saline sea water in most of the rivers these rivers are
not useful for agriculture purpose and drinking purpose up to certain extent.
In the north-west, the Panvel creek collects water from a radial pattern of
short streams of which the Gadhi is a major stream but others are very short
and seasonal. The Patalganga, Bhogavati and Amba rivers drain mainly
Khalapur, Sudhagad, Pen tahsils in to the Dharamtar creek. The Patalganga
receive the tail waters of the Khopoli hydel power station. The Kundalika river
drains a narrow central belt into the Chaul creek. The Man river meets to
estuary near Murud at the mouth of which stands the Janjira fort. The southern
part of the district is drained by the well development system of the river
Savitri. The main tributaries of the Savitri are the Ghod, Gandhari, Kal and
Nageshri.

2.6 GEOLOGY
Geologically Konkan lowland is a platform of marine denuation raised to
form a narrow plain. The steep scarps facing the coast and some what gentle
slopes towards the east believed to be due to extensive faulting of the ghat
region. The geology of the entire district consists of dark colored volcanic lava
and laterites which date back to Mesozoic period. These are spread out in the
form of horizontal sheets and beds and have innumerable spurs, hills, ridges,
peaks and plateaux. In the plains and valleys, the lava flows occurred below a
thin blanket of soil which varies in thickness from place to place. Petro
logically the lava flows in the district are in horizontal way with incredible

28
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

uniformity in their composition, appearance and texture corresponding to basalt

with an average specific gravity of 2.9. The basalt is a predominant rock
formation of the district. The basalts are usually dark grey to grey in color and
are hard compact and tough and fine to medium grained structure. Deccan Trap
rock which is completely impervious to percolation, these causing an accuse
shortage of water in summer. Beds of laterite, usually formed by mechanical
and chemical disintegration brought by atmospheric agencies on the underlying
trap, cap of several picks and lofty ridges in the district.

2.7 CLIMATE
Temperature and rainfall are two major elements of climate, which
largely affects agriculture. The climate of Raigarh district is typical hot and
humid that of the west coast of India characterized with plentiful and regular
monsoon rainfall.
Table 2.2
Raigarh District
Maximum and Minimum Temperature - 2009
Maximum. Minimum.
Month Temperature Temperature
( in 0 C) ( in 0 C)
January 31.6 18.9
February 32.9 18.4
March 33.8 20.3
April 34.2 24.1
May 36.6 26.8
June 32.7 26.1
July 30.1 25.2
August 29.2 24.9
September 31.3 24.6
October 35.9 23.9
November 32.3 22.3
December 32.2 20.1

Source – Metrological Observatory, Alibaug

29
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

The weather is oppressive in hot months and highly humid through out the
year. The summer season is from March to May followed by the south west
monsoon season from June to September. The period from December to
February is of winter season. Being a coastal district the diurnal and seasonal
variations of temperature are not large. The period from March to May is one
of increasing temperatures. May is the hottest month of the year. The onset of
south-west monsoon early in June brings down the temperature slightly. After
the withdrawal of the south-west monsoon by the end of September the day
temperature increase slightly and the weather in October and November is
almost like summer months. The average minimum temperature is 17.7°C and
maximum average temperature is 31.8°C. (Table 2.2 and Fig. 2.6)
Rainfall is the most critical factor affecting agriculture in the region.
Total rainfall and its month wise distribution is an important factor affecting
crop production and land use intensity. Region receives the rainfall from the
south-west monsoon (Table 2.3 and Fig. 3.7). The average annual rainfall in the
district is 2484.32 mm; nearly 95per cent of rainfall is received in four months
from June to September. July is the month of the heaviest rainfall, the same
being 38 per sent of the annual rainfall. The rainfall is regular and the year- to -
year variations in the annual rainfall of the district are not large. On an average
there are 94 rainy days in the year. Therefore crop production is concentrated
only in kharip season and there is very little cropping in rabbi or hot season.
The rainfall is very high and assured, thus kharip season crops are assured.
There are some post monsoons rains in October and November, which enable
growing some rabbi pulses and vegetables after harvest of kharip rice on
residual moisture. Matheran (4500 mm) is the highest rainfall receiving centre
of Raigarh district. With the withdrawal of the south-west monsoon, day
temperature increases slightly even in October then November. The air is
humid throughout the year. During the south west monsoon season skies are
overcast with clouds. In May and October the sky is moderately clouded and
during the rest of the year the sky is clear to lightly cloudy and relative

30
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2. 6

31
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.7

32
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

humidity is on average 80 per cent and in the rest of the year it is between 65 to
75 per cent.
Winds are very strong during the monsoon season and blow from west to
south west from October to December. The winds are generally moderate and
blow from directions between north-west and south-east. Between January and
March the winds continue to be moderate but blow from directions between
south-west and north-west. In association with cyclonic storms in the Arabian
Sea in the post monsoon months and to a lesser extent in May, the district
experience very strong winds sometimes reaching gale force and heavy
widespread rain. Occasionally these storms cross the coast in the northern part
of district and cause heavy damage. Thunder storms occur in the month of
April and May and from late September to the middle of November. Due to
variation in the climatic and physiographic condition the region is enjoying
different types of soil.
Table 2.3
Raigarh District
Tahsil and Year Wise Annual Rainfall (in mm.)
Sr.
Tahsil 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Avg.
No.
01 Alibaug 2650.8 1642.2 1474.1 2367.2 2644.6 2325.2 2456.3 3451.8 2443.4 2383.96
02 Pen 3625.9 2595.7 2529.0 1912.2 2024.0 3005.2 2724.7 3300.2 3357.9 2786.09
03 Murud 3082.5 1483.0 1717.0 2535.0 3091.0 2734.9 2749.4 3531.6 2585.4 2612.20
04 Karjat 3601.5 2930.6 2803.7 3119.0 3080.2 4808.0 4800.6 3465.8 2990.6 3511.11
05 Khalapur 3415.6 2664.6 2247.6 2247.6 2903.5 4320.0 3838.2 3177.35 3489.9 3144.93
06 Panvel 3250.9 2588.2 1828.6 2760.6 2678.4 2778.5 3878.6 3055.7 3784.3 2955.98
07 Uran 2710.0 909.2 1202.7 1837.0 2049.0 2206.5 2437.4 2602.0 3104.3 2117.57
08 Mangaon 3864.0 2530.0 2247.0 3293.0 3712.0 3790.8 3665.2 3763.6 3847.0 3412.51
09 Tala 3149.4 2488.0 2588.0 3603.0 3929.0 4495.4 4145.0 3652.1 3178.0 3469.77
10 Roha 4108.0 2708.9 2408.0 3363.0 3594.0 4587.5 4011.5 3722.67 4010.0 3612.62
11 Sudhagad 3803.0 2475.3 2492.8 3473.0 3747.0 4577.2 4317.8 3806.9 2629.0 3480.22
12 Mahad 3085.0 2526.6 2395.2 2516.0 3243.4 4364.7 3625.5 5892.5 3205.7 3428.29
13 Poladpur 3543.3 2884.0 2954.0 3128.0 3789.9 5390.0 4780.0 4202.7 3716.7 3820.96
14 Mhasla 3707.3 2634.9 2235.0 3161.5 3356.4 3877.1 3483.8 4224.0 2327.7 3223.08
15 Shrivardhan 2835.0 1859.1 1949.6 2091.9 2829.1 2791.8 2575.8 3394.80 2031.8 2484.32
Source – www.agri.mah.nic.in

33
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

2.8 SOIL
Soil is the product of parent rocks. Climate, rainfall, humidity and
vegetation affect the soil formation in the Konkan region. The soil of the
district are essentially derived from the Deccan trap which is the predominant
rock formation of the district. The main types of soil found in the district are
black soil, khar or salt soil, coastal alluvium and literate soils shown in Fig. 2.8.
Deccan Trap rock which is completely impervious to percolation, these causing
an acute shortage of water in summer, though, it receives rain fall varying from
2000 mm to 3500 mm in different parts on the hill slopes. The soil is reddish
which is used for grass crop. The shallow sands near the coast are suitable for
plantation of coconut and bet nut. The radish brown and coffee brown soils are
excellent for paddy cultivation and are capable of producing crop.
The district is has course soil, medium black soil, deep black soil and
lateritic soil in 0.91 lakh hectares 1.43 lakh hectares, 0.80 lakh and 0.25 lakh
hectares respectively.
2.8. 1. Laterite Soil (Ultisols)
The predominant soil in the district is laterite which varies in color from
bright red to brownish Red owing to the preponderance of hydrated iron
oxides. They are always acidic and fairly well supplied with Nitrogen and
organic matter. They are porous, non-retentive of moisture. The soil is found in
several grades knows as varkas soil, saline soil and rice soil.
Forest soils yield valuable forest product and are not used for
agriculture. These soils are heavily eroded due to grazing and cutting of the
forest trees. Varkas soils are found just below the forest soils all along the
steeper slopes. They are shallow in depth, heavily eroded, sandy in texture and
yellowish red to yellowish grey in color. They are poor in organic matter and
nitrogen and possess very little retaining capacity of moisture. They yield
kharip millets.

34
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.8

35
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Rice soils are formed from the trap rock under heavy rainfall and humid
conditions. They have a depth of between two and six feet. They are loamy in
texture; yellowish or reddish grey in color, neutral in reaction and almost
devoid of time.

2.8.2 Salty Soil (Aridisols)

Saline soil locally known as khar soils. Khar soils are formed due to the
deposition of salts by the sea or from lands reclaimed from the sea and found
on the flat, leveled land near the sea. They are flat clay to clay loam in texture
and reddish or yellowish grey in color.

2.8. 3 Coastal Alluviums (Alfisols)

Coastal alluvium is found all along the coast and at places where there
are no creeks. They are developed on flat land and are loamy in texture with
reddish grey color. They are devoid of clay fraction or humus and are open in
nature. Good plantation crops like coconut, areca-nut, plantain, etc. upon the
availability of water. Laterite soils occur mostly on the mountain peaks. They
are coarser in texture wherever there is no forest. They are yellowish-red in
color and shallow in depth. They yield coarse millets and niger. The heavy
rains in the hilly regions thoroughly leach the soils turning them acidic in
reaction and devoid of calcium carbonate

2.8. 4 Black soil (Vertisols and Inseptisols)

Black soil is found in northern part of the district. They are black in
colour and rich in nutrient observed at the foot hill of the Karjat and Panvel
Tahsil. This soil is good for pulses and oil seeds cultivation. It is divided into
medium black and shallow black soil.

36
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

2.9 GROUND WATER SCENARIO

2.9.1 Hydrogeology
Deccan Trap Basalt of upper Cretaceous to lower Eocene is the major
rock formation and intruded by a number of dykes. The western part of
the district consisting Basalt flows are altered to Laterite. Recent deposits
comprising Beach sand and alluvium occur along the coast and in the river
mouth; however they do not form potential aquifer. Hydrogeological features
are shown in Fig. 2.9.

a) Hard Rock Areas (Deccan Trap Basalt)

Ground water in Deccan Trap Basalt occurs mostly in the upper
weathered and fractured parts down to 10-15 m bgl under unconfined
condition. The water bearing strata at deeper depth exists under semi
confined to confined conditions. The dug wells in these areas show rapid
decline in water level during post monsoon period and practically go dry in
peak summer. In foot hill zones, the water table is relatively s hall ow er
n e a r water course. The yield of dug wells tapping upper phreatic aquifer

ranges between 45 to 60 m3/day whereas that of bore wells varies form 0.50

to > 20 m3/hr. depending upon the local hydro geological conditions, however

in most of the bore wells it is up to 5 m3/hr.

b) Soft Rock Areas (Beach Sand/Alluvium)

The Alluvial deposits are found along the coastal areas in few
isolated patches having limited areal extent as Beach Sand and along the
course of major rivers. In the alluvial deposits, primary porosity is due to
the inter-granular pore spaces making sands and gravels good water
bearing formations. The ground water occurs under phreatic/unconfined
aquifer at relatively shallow depths of 3-5m and their yield ranges from

about 18 to 43 m3/hr.

37
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

2.9.2 Water Level Scenario

Central Ground Water Board periodically monitors 28 National
Hydrograph Network Stations (NHNS) in Raigarh district, four times a year
i.e. January, May, August and November.
A) Depth to Water Level – Premonsoon (May 2007)
The depth to water levels in the district during May 2007 ranges
between 0.55 m bgl (Nagothane) and 8.60 m bgl (Chinch wad). Depth to
water levels during premonsoon (May 2007) is Shallow water levels i.e.,
less than 2 m bgl are seen in the central part of the district. The water levels
5 to 10 m bgl are seen in the southern part of the district i.e. around Poladpur
and Mahad and also as scattered patches across the district. In the major part
of the district water level ranges from 2 to 5 m bgl.
B) Depth to Water Level – Post monsoon (Nov 2007)
The depth to water levels during post monsoon (Nov. 2007) ranges
between 0.30 m bgl (Kargaon) to 3.28 m bgl (Khalapur). Shallow water
levels of less than 2.0 m bgl are seen in major part of the district whereas
water levels of 2 to 5 m bgl are seen as patches in north western part and
along the eastern periphery of the district around Khalapur, Karjat and
Poladpur t a h s i l s in southern part of the district.
C) Seasonal Water Level Fluctuation (May – Nov. 2007)
The fluctuation between May and Nov, 2007 water levels in the
district range from 0.25 (Indapur) to 7.98 m (Chinchwad). In the major part
of the district the fluctuation range is less than 2.0 m. The higher fluctuation
of more than 2 m is observed in southern par t i.e. around M ahad ,
Poladpu r an d as scattered patches around Karjat, Chinchwad, Khutal and
Chandora. The negative fluctuation i.e., fall in post monsoon period has been
observed in the range of 0.12 (Jite and Pali) to 0.18 m (Khalapur) in
central part of the region, probably due to supplement well irrigation to
paddy crop.

38
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.9

39
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.10

40
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

2.9.3 Ground Water Resources

Central Ground Water Board and Ground Water Survey and
Development Agency (GSDA) have jointly estimated the ground water
resources of Raigarh district based on GEC–97 metho d ology . Tahsil wise
ground water resources are presented i n Table 2.4 and Fig. 2.10. Ground
water assessment is done for an area of 3747 sq. km of which152.94 sq.
km area is under command and 3594.65 sq. km area is under non –
command. As per the estimation the total annual ground water recharge
159.83 MCM with the natural discharge of 8.16 MCM, thus the net annual
ground water availability comes to be 151.67 MCM. The gross draft for
all uses is estimated of 70.01 MCM with irrigation sector being the major
consumer having a draft of 53.87 MCM, whereas the domestic and
industrial draft is to the tune of 16.13 MCM.
The net ground water availability for future irrigation is estimated
to be 66.28 MCM, whereas the allocation for domestic and industrial
supply up to next 25 years is 31.51 MCM. Stage of ground water
development varies from 26.25 per cent (Mangaon) to 76.79 per cent
(Mhasla). The overall stage of ground water development for the district
is 46.16 per cent. All the 14 tahsils and 17 watersheds of the district fall in
“Safe” category.

41
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Table 2.4
Raigarh District
Tahsil Wise Ground Water Resource
Tahsil Area Type Net Annual Annual Ground Water Draft Stage of Category
Ground (ham/year) Ground
water Irrigation Domestic Total water
Availability & Develop
(ham/year) Industria ment
l uses (%)
Alibaug Command 92.32 9.22 1.69 10.90 11.81 Safe
Non Command 1728.50 974.81 326.26 1301.07 75.27
Total 1820.82 984.02 327.94 1311.97 72.05
Panvel Command 60.65 28.82 6.27 35.09 57.85 Safe
Non Command 1661.13 908.08 319.82 1227.90 73.92
Total 1721.78 936.90 326.08 1262.99 73.35
Uran Command 14.67 3.70 1.36 5.06 34.52 Safe
Non Command 381.33 189.95 38.29 228.24 59.85
Total 396.00 193.65 39.66 233.30 58.91
Karjat Command 277.04 75.15 2.47 77.62 28.02 Safe
Non Command 1123.21 240.66 98.53 339.19 30.20
Total 1400.25 315.81 101.00 416.81 29.77
Khalapur Command 126.56 32.15 11.86 44.01 34.78 Safe
Non Command 1006.77 235.99 112.04 348.03 34.57
Total 1133.33 268.14 123.91 392.05 34.59
Pen Command 70.73 15.98 6.03 22.01 31.12 Safe
Non Command 664.77 168.11 68.89 237.00 35.65
Total 735.51 184.09 74.93 259.01 35.22
Sudhagad Command 122.51 16.08 4.68 20.76 16.95 Safe
Non Command 735.71 185.23 70.70 255.93 34.79
Total 858.22 201.31 75.38 276.69 32.24
Mahad Command 99.68 68.73 6.03 74.76 75.00 Safe
Non Command 879.71 278.78 94.28 373.06 42.41
Total 979.39 347.51 100.31 447.82 45.72
Source – Central Ground Water Board, Central Region, Nagpur

42
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Table 2.4
Contd.
Tahsil Area Type Net Annual Annual Ground Water Draft Stage of Category
Ground (ham/year) Ground
water Irrigation Domestic Total water
Availability & Develop
(ham/year) Industrial ment
uses (%)
Roha Command 501.68 46.48 4.09 50.57 10.08 Safe
Non Command 1198.37 334.02 97.32 431.34 35.99
Total 1700.05 380.50 101.41 481.91 28.35
Mangaon Command 450.35 28.42 2.95 31.36 6.96 Safe
Non Command 1941.82 437.54 159.07 596.61 30.72
Total 2392.17 465.95 162.02 627.97 26.25
Poladpur Command 18.05 15.69 1.78 17.46 96.77 Safe
Non Command 335.24 56.60 53.05 109.66 32.71
Total 353.29 72.29 54.83 127.12 35.98
Mhasla Command 42.25 26.32 3.15 29.46 69.74 Safe
Non Command 585.29 405.06 47.35 452.41 77.30
Total 627.54 431.38 50.49 481.87 76.79
Shrivardha Command 33.83 17.31 2.91 20.22 59.77 Safe
n Non Command 516.24 355.09 37.20 392.29 75.99
Total 550.07 372.41 40.10 412.51 74.99
Murud Command 107.21 22.91 1.43 24.33 22.70 Safe
Non Command 392.00 210.79 34.14 244.93 62.48
Total 499.21 233.70 35.56 269.26 53.94
District Command 2017.53 406.95 56.68 463.63 22.98 Safe
total Non Command 13150.10 4980.72 1556.94 6537.65 49.72
Total 15167.63 5387.67 1613.62 7001.29 46.16
Source – Central Ground Water Board, Central Region, Nagpur

2.9.4 Ground Water Quality

Central Ground Water Board monitors the ground water quality of

the district through analysis of water samples collected from its National
Hydrograph Network Stations (NHNS) which represent the shallow aquifer
of the district only. The objective behind quality monitoring is to
understand an overall picture of ground water quality of the district. During
year 2007, CGWB has carried out the ground water quality monitoring at 24
NHNS. The result of chemical analysis shows that the ground water in the
district is alkaline in nature. The concentration of major ions indicates

43
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

that among the cations, the concentration of sodium is highest followed

by magnesium and calcium, while among the anions the concentration of
bicarbonate ion is highest, followed by sulphate, chloride, and nitrate ions.

A) Suitability of Ground Water for Drinking Purpose

The suitability of ground water for drinking purpose is determined

keeping in view the effects of various chemical constituents in water on
the biological system of human being. The classification of water was
carried out as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for drinking water
to assess the suitability of ground water.
The perusal of Table 2.5 shows that 95 per cent of the sample falls in
desirable limit of water quality standard, therefore, water quality is good
for drinking purpose, except the water at Dapoli NHNS (Roha tahsil) where
the concentration of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH) and
Sulphate (SO4) are beyond permissible limit. The high concentrations of
these constituents may be due to sea water ingress

Table 2.5
Raigarh District
Classification of Ground Water Samples Based on BIS Drinking
Water Standards (15 – 10500 – 91, Revised 2003)
Parameter DL MPL Samples Samples Samples
with conc. with conc. with conc.
TDS (mg/L) 500 2000 < 21
DL conc.
1 in > MPL
1
TH (mg/L) 300 600 23 Nil 1
Ca (mg/L) 75 200 23 1 Nil
Mg (mg/L) 30 100 22 2 Nil
Cl (mg/L) 250 1000 23 1 -
SO4 (mg/L) 200 400 22 1 1
NO3 (mg/L) 45 No 24 Nil Nil
F (mg/L) 1.0 1.5 24 Nil Nil
(Here, DL – Desirable limit, MPL – Maximum Permissible limits)
Source – Central Ground Water Board, Central Region, Nagpur

44
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

B) Suitability of Ground Water for Irrigation Purpose

The water used for irrigation is an important factor in productivity of
crop, its yield and quality of irrigated crops. The quality of irrigation water
depends primarily on the presence of dissolved salts and their concentrations.
Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC)
are the most important quality criteria, which influence the water
quality and suitability for irrigation.

2.10 AGRO-ECOLOGICAL SITUATIONS

Raigarh district is not homogenous in respect of topography, rainfall,
and temperature soils and agricultural and resource endowment there are some
variations in land use pattern, dominant crops, irrigation facilities available
fishing activity, forestry etc. Therefore for the purpose of planning, classifying
the area into more homogenous agro-ecological situations is worth while for
identifying common resource base and common needs. In Raigarh district five
major Agro Ecological Situation (AES) have been identified, based climatic
zone, rain fall, soil type, graph of irrigation and coastal area with the help of
Agricultural University Scientists and khar land departments shown in Table
2.6 and Fig. 2.11. Each block is having different agro-ecological situation.
Thus the15 tahsils of Raigarh district are divided into as AES 1 to 5.

Details of AES situation is given below

AES -1 (Lateritic zone)
The south side of Raigarh District is typical lateratic soil characterized
by very high rainfall area precipitates 3800 mm. The soil type is latertic, sloppy
and hilly area covers 18 per cent area of the district. The major crops are paddy
nagli in kharip and oil seed, pulses are the in rabbi crops grown under residual
moisture. Horticulture crops, cashew is having sizable area followed by mango
and karvand, where mango area is covered by forest.

45
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

AES - 2 (Coastal Zone)

The coastal part of Raigarh District covers Shrivardhan, Mhasla, Murud
and part of Alibaug tahsils having sea side 240 kms. with rainfall of 3500 mm
covers 22 per cent land area of Raigarh district. Major horticulture crops
Mango coconut, areca nut and spices are grown in the area. The soil is laterite
to medium black soils, useful for production of vegetable crop in rabbi season.
AES – 3 (Kharland Zone)
The Kharland area representing this AES covers 30000 hectare cropped
with 13 per cent of the district area. This area assured in rainfall with saline
soil, grows paddy as a major crop, while no crop is taken in summer season.
The farmers depend on paddy followed by fish.
Table 2.6
Raigarh District
Agro-ecological Situations
Sr. Name of the AES Characteristics Blocks
No. Covered
AES -1 Very high rainfall with Mahad,
01. Lateritic Zone laterite soil Poladpur
AES -2 Very high rainfall coastal Alibaug,
02. Coastal Zone area of non laterite soil Murud
Shrivardhan
AES -3 Very high rainfall with Pen, Panvel,
03. Kharland Zone Saline soil Uran, Alibaug

AES -4 Very high rainfall with Mangaon,

04. Irrigated Plateau black soil, irrigated Roha, Tala,
Zone command area Sudhagad
AES -5 Very high rainfall areas Karjat, Roha,
05. Foot hills of of foot hills of Sahayadri Khalapur,
Sahayadri ranges ranges (Western Ghat) Sudhagad,
Zone Mangaon,
Source – Mahatma Phule Konkan Agricultural University, Dapoli

46
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.11

47
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

AES – 4 (Irrigated Plateau Zone)

This is a typical agro eco-situation, with medium to black irrigated well
drained soils, gives bumper yield of paddy in kharip and rabbi both season
which covers 20 per cent area of Raigarh district.
AES – 5 ( Foot hills of Sahyadri Ranges Zone)
This area is of major foot hills and off shoots of Sahyadri ranges mostly
forest areas with heavy rain falls and more sloppy land covers 21per cent
mostly forest followed by paddy Nachni, Wari, Pulses, oil seeds and
vegetables.

2.11 GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS

The districts are divided in to three natural geographical regions viz.
i) Coastal area
ii) The central plain
iii) Hilly area on the eastern side
Considering the physical features, Raigarh district can be sub divided in
to five parts from west to east.
1. Kharland area near seashore where only rice crop is grown.
2. Coastal plain area where the coconut and areca nut crops thrice well.
3. Plateau surface, which is used for cereal and oil seeds crops.
4. Ghat and hilly area of parts where rice, Nachni, and wari and pulses
crops are grown.
5. Hilly base of Sahyadri mountain (Western Ghat) ranges where rice and
pulses crops is grown.

48
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Table 2.7
Raigarh District
Region Wise Blocks
Hilly Base
Coastal Plateau Ghat/Hilly Kharland of
zone Zone Zone Zone Sahayadri
hills
Alibaug (W) Mangaon Mahad, Alibaug (N) Karjat
Panvel (E)
Murud Roha Poladpur Pen Khalapur
Mhasla Sudhagad(W) Khalapur(W) Panvel Sudhagad
Shrivardhan -- Karjat (E) Uran Roha (E)
Source – Department of Agriculture, Alibaug

2.12 POPULATION
Population plays a key role in the development of the agriculture of the
region. Like other districts of Maharashtra, Raigarh is essentially a district of
villages. The total population of the district as per census 2001 was 2207929 of
which 75.78 per cent is rural and 24.22 per cent is urban population. Out of this
population 50.63 per cent are male and 49.38 per cent are female population.
There are altogether 1919 inhabited places in the district of which 1893 are
villages and 26 municipal towns.

2.12.1 Growth of Population

During the decade 1991-2001 the population of the Raigarh district is
increased by 20.99 per cent, this growth rate is lower than the Indian average of
23.44 per cent. Rural population is increased by 11.82 per cent and urban
population is increased by 62.74 per cent which is below than the national
average. (Fig. 2.12) The growth rate of rural and urban population for the last
two decades is compared and it is observed that the decadal growth rate of rural
population declined in the subsequent decade, whereas decadal growth rate of
urban population is increased. The growth rate of rural population is lower than

49
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

urban population. The slow rural growth and decline of rural population is a
result of migration. The highest decadal population growth of total and rural
population is recorded during the decade of 1981-1991 in Raigarh district
shown in Table 2.8.
Table 2.8
Raigarh district
Decadal Population Growth (1951–2001)
Sr. Tahsil Year ( Population growth in per cent)
No. 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001
01 Alibaug 00.00 17.86 15.11 14.61 13.49 19.12
02 Panvel 00.00 27.08 23.11 34.35 7.06 26.69
03 Karjat 00.00 24.39 26.15 17.59 19.88 18.80
04 Khalapur 00.00 28.30 35.37 36.86 47.21 27.15
05 Uran 00.00 19.31 26.35 26.12 18.59 31.53
06 Sudhagad 00.00 26.40 7.47 3.37 33.11 1.71
07 Pen 00.00 19.43 20.39 18.74 24.87 18.96
07 Mahad 00.00 26.65 14.08 8.47 14.04 13.81
09 Mangaon 00.00 15.55 15.84 9.72 4.54 8.29
10 Roha 00.00 12.97 13.71 19.61 28.05 16.62
11 Poladpur 00.00 - 25.10 18.27 9.84 9.85 -9.07
12 Murud 00.00 11.22 15.81 8.57 15.05 12.03
13 Shriwardhan 00.00 7.74 15.35 9.54 12.03 8.99
14 Mahasala 00.00 4.43 16.16 15.85 10.80 5.19
15 Tala 00.00 ------ ------ ------ ------ 2.55
District 00.00 16.46 19.28 17.69 22.76 20.99
Source- International Institute of Population Studies, Mumbai

2.12.2 Density of Population

The density of population in any region indicates the pressure on land.
The density of the population in Raigarh district was 309 persons per sq. km.
2001, that is much less than the national average shown in the Table 2.9. The
highest density of population is observed in Uran tahsil was 753 and the lowest
density is found in Sudhagad tahsil which is 173 persons per sq. km

50
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.12

51
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Table 2.9
Raigarh district
Density of Population (1961 – 2001)
Year Geographical Area Total Density per sq
(sq km) Population km
1961 7152 1059000 149
1971 7152 1263000 176
1981 7152 1486000 208
1991 7152 1826000 254
2001 7152 2208000 309
Source- International Institute of Population Studies, Mumbai

2.13 LAND HOLDING

Due to fragmentation of land holdings, the average size of the land
holding is less than 2 hectares. The total numbers of holdings in the district is
2,96,866 with an area of 3, 48,147 hectares (Table 2.10). In majority of cases,
out of these land holdings in the district as many as 2.57 lakhs land holding are
below two hectares. The peculiarity of landholding in the district is that nearly
71 percentage land holdings are marginal and sixteen per cent holdings are
small resulting in to high proportion.
The farmers who have medium and larger holdings, posses mostly lands
on hill slops and less fertile lands, which are locally known as ‘Varkas Lands’.
Although proportion of such farmers is small, they possess large proportion (13
per cent) of the total area. This also shows that there is some inequality in the
distribution of land holdings. A large proportion of marginal small farmers, is
challenging task for planning and development and for evolving suitable
technologies and policy measures.

52
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Table 2.10
Raigarh District
Number of Land Holdings - 2001

Sr. Item No. of % Area in %

land hectares
holders
01 Less than one ha. 2,10,137 71 80,208 23
02 Between 1 to 2 ha 46,525 16 69,427 20
03 Above 2 ha 40,202 13 1,98,512 57
Total 2,96,866 100 3,48,147 100
Source - Socio-Economic Review & District Statistical Abstract of Raigarh
District - 2001

2.14 IRRIGATION FACILITIES

The Concept of irrigation implies the existence of source of water supply
within a reasonable distance and an arrangement to regulate the supply of the
water according to the day-to-day needs of the crops rose in these fields.
Naturally therefore all areas, which are cultivated under purely rain fed
conditions, are treated as unirrigated lands. The irrigation is not much
developed in the region. There is no source of good quality irrigation during
rabbi season in the coastal region of the district. The under ground water is
brackish and not suitable for irrigation. In some region the rain water can be
harvested by excavating the farm ponds and construction of small check dams
and this water is used for crops with protective irrigation. During the year
2008-09, the net sown area as 1.58 lakhs hectares and the net irrigated area
were 11701.42 hectares farming 7.74 per cent of the net cropped area (Table
2.11 and 2.12) . The total number of irrigation dug wells in the district were
5709 out of that 2767 wells were fitted with electrical pump sets and 458 wells
were fitted with diesel pump sets. During the year 2008-09 M.S.E.B. launched
& special drive and out of 445 pending application, 352 applications for

53
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

irrigation of pump sets were cleared as on 31 March 2009, 11520 pump set
were energized by M.S.E.B.
Table 2.11
Raigarh District
Irrigation (2001)
Irrigation Capacity Irrigated paddy Total Irrigation
(area in hectares) (area in hectares) (area in hectares)
15083 7910.63 9049.42
Source - Socio-Economic Review & District Statistical Abstract of Raigarh
District -2001
Table 2.12
Raigarh District
Irrigated Area (2001)
Sr. No Item Area in ha
1 Gross irrigated 9049.42
2 Gross irrigated by well 2652

3 Gross irrigated by surface Irrigation 11701.42

Source - Socio-Economic Review & District Statistical Abstract of Raigarh District.- 2001

Geographically major part of the district is occupied by basaltic lava

flows that generally include Deccan Trap formation that is hard compact rock
though the district receives very good rainfall; there is a shortage of water in
summer due to the unique topographical features in the district.
The district has six main rivers. There is no major irrigation project on
these rivers. The seawater as well as pollutants from industries is getting mixed
in these rivers. The back water from TATA Power House released from
Bhivpuri, Bhira, is the major source of irrigation for summer paddy growing
Karjat, Mangaon, and Roha blocks.
There are 82 small irrigation projects; the large irrigation project is Kal
project which provides irrigation to above 3600 hectors of net area. The two
more medium size irrigation projects viz. Amba project and Hetavne project
are under construction.

54
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

2.15 FFERTILITY STATUS AND NPK PATTERN

The present work is related with agricultural land use and land
degradation; hence the study of fertility status and NPK is of prime importance.
The fertility status of the soil is varies from one tahsil to another. This status
depends upon the available Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (p) and Potash (K)
content in the soil. Table 2.13 shows the NPK pattern of the district.
Table 2.13
Raigarh District
Fertility Status (2000 - 01)

Sr. Tahsil N/P/K

No.
N P K
1 Alibaug MH M MH
2 Uran M M VH
3 Panvel MH L H
4 Karjat M L H
5 Khalapur M M MH
6 Pen M M H
7 Sudhagad M M MH
8 Roha MH M H
9 Mangaon M L H
10 Mahad M L H
11 Poladpur M L H
12 Mhasla MH L MH
13 Shrivardhan M L H
14 Murud M M MH
15 Tala # # #

Source – Agricultural Statistical Information, Maharashtra State

# - The data of the Tala tahsil is included in Mangaon tahsil.

55
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

VL - Very Low (0.50 to 0.75)

L - Low (0.76 to 1.25)
M - Moderate (1.26 to 1.75)
MH - Moderate High (1.7.5 to 2.25 )
H - High (2.25 to 2.75)
VH - Very High (2.76 and above)

Nitrogen in the soil is medium to medium high in the district.

Phosphorus is low in seven tahsils and medium in seven tahsils. Potash in the
soil is high to very high in all tahsils of the region.

2.16 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION

Figure 2.13 shows the major transport network in the study region. There
are three modes of transports road, railways and seas observed in the district
.Two national highways Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore Highway (N.H.-04) and
Mumbai-Goa- Mangalore highway (N.H.-17) passes through the district,
connecting major towns. Mumbai-Pune railway line and Mumbai-Goa Konkan
railway line passes through the district. The Major ports Viz. Nhava-sheva Port
and JNPT are in the district and new private port at Rewas is under
construction. Launch service to Mumbai available from Karanja, Mora,
Mandava and Rewas ports in Raigarh district. How ever most of the transports
is carried by road followed by Railway and very limited by sea. The roads in
the district are constructed and maintain by the Zilla Parishad and Municipals.
The total length in the district is 5364 km. of which 2,584 km are well
constructed (pacca) road in all weather and 2780 km is kaccha road. The road
length per 100 sq.km area comes to 31 km. considering kccha road this ratio
comes to 65 km. In case of railway line, 298.53 km. railway line is observed
with 34 Railway stations. Total broad gauge length in Raigarh district is 176
km and narrow-gauge railway line is 25 kms.

56
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Fig. 2.13

57
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

Mainly Maharashtra state Road Transport Corporation (S.T. Bus) and

Konkan Railway carry out the passenger transport. There are 1005 routs in the
district on which S.T. Buses run.
Regarding communication 1519 villages have post and telegraph
services available through 639 post offices and 152 Telegraph offices. On
averages one lakh population is served by 42 Post Offices. In addition, there
are 23884 telephones working in the district. The telecommunication facilities
is expending very rapidly in the district.

2.17 INDUSTRIES
Maharashtra is one of the industrially advance state of India Raigarh
district on the whole is not much developed industrially except for Khopoli,
Karjat, Panvel, Rassayani, Taloje Panchnad, Nagothane and Roha towns.
These towns have industrial units of manufacturing steel pipes, chemicals
and medicines M.I.D.C is encouraging industrial units in Panvel tahsil to
increase industrial productions. Existing industrial units in the district are in
general on a small scale, salt manufacturing at Uran and Panvel, Paper and
Pulp, coated fabric and chemicals at Khopoli, R.C.C. pipes at Pen, grinding
wheels, segments stones and sticks etc at Mora (Uran) are the main large
scale industries in the districts. Agro based industries are Rice, Barli food
and yeast powder.
The industrial policy of the state is based on the basic decision to
encourage industries in the developing and under-developed areas in the
district and to disperse industries from the heavily congested area of
Mumbai, Thane and Pune. In the district there are industrial estates in Panvel,
Rassayani, Uran, Mahad and Roha. The small scales as well as large scale
industries are running in these areas. Petrochemical industry at Nagothane
(Roha tahsil) and fertilizer project at Thal-Vayshet near Alibaug are large
scale industries in the district. Hindustan Organic chemicals and Reliance

58
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

chemical industries are the other private projects located at Rasayani and
Patalganga industrial area.
The most important small scale industry is the manufacturing of
Ganseh idols, located in Pen tahsil. Thousands of these idols are sent to
Mumbai and Pune during Ganpati festival. Brick manufacturing industry is
located in Mahad, Alibaug, Roha and Khalapur tahsil. Brass and Copper
utensils manufacturing industry is located at Mahad, Roha and Pali (Sudhagad
tahsil). Pharmaceutical and Chemical industries are located at Mahad and
Panvel tahsil. Handloom sarees are made in Goregaon, Mahad, Murud,
Mangaon and Roha tahsils and leather goods industries are located at
Matheran, Mahad, Murud and Roha tahsils. The numbers of Rice mills are
found in Alibaug, Mahad, Pen and Panvel tahsils. In Panvel tahsil there are
many mills making 'Poha' from paddy. Plastics goods manufacturing
industries are located in Panvel tahsil.

The total employment in industries and services in 2001 was 69,943.

Primary industries such as stock-raising, forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying,
processing and manufacture of food-stuffs, textiles, leather products, metals
and chemicals, etc. employed 31 per cent of the total employment in the
industrial sector

2.18 TRADE AND COMMERCE

The chief manufactured articles of the district are medicines,

chemicals products, cloths, drugs, pepsi soft drink, beer, yeast, steel pipes,
ingots, alloy, benzene, chikhi, copper utensils, Lord Ganpati idols, medical
oil (bat oil), leather goods, sticks, timber, mango, cashew nut, bricks, rice,
poha, bullock cart wheels, colour, tiles, cement products, clay pots, ayurvedic
medicine, grinding wheels, handlooms cloths and ice etc.
The chief export articles in the district are dry fish, coconut, cloths,
chemical products, medicines, colour, rice, vegetables, pulses, milk, beer,
yeast, steel pipes and rods, acitic acid, benzene, copper utensils, wari,
59
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

nachani, chikhi, leather goods, honey, timber, mango, paddy, cashew nut,
betel nut, fish, bricks, poha, bullock cart wheels, ayurvedic medicine statues
and idols, grinding wheels, handloom cloths etc. Most of these are sent to
Mumbai.

2.19 CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL PLACES

The district is has a very beautiful hill station named Matheran and
various other tourist places like Diveagar , Harihareshwar , Shirivardhan,
Kihim, Kashid and Murud beach, Raigarh, Janjira, Sarasgad, Karanla ,Drongiri
and Kulaba fort, Gharapuri caves , Unhere hot springs, , Chawdar Tale at
Mahad , Lord Ganesh temples at Pali and Mahad and beautiful Sahyadri ranges
to the East and Arabian Sea in the West.

60
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

REFERENCES

1. All India Soil Land Survey organization, Soil Survey Manual, New
Delhi, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 1970, pp.50-52 and 58-64.
2. Arunachalam, B. (1967): “Maharashtra”, Educational Publishers, A.R.
Sheth and Co. pp. 69.
3. Central Ground Water Board and Ground Water Survey and
Development Agency (GSDA) Nagpur Report, March 2009 Pp.5 – 9.
4. District Census Handbook, Raigarh 1981, Part-XII-A&B.
5. District Census Handbook, Raigarh 1991, Part-XII-A&B.
6. Dixit, K.R. (1973): “Agricultural Regions of Maharashtra”.
Geographical Review of India, Vol. 13, pp. 37-39.
7. Gazetteer (1971): Govt. of Maharashtra
8. Gazetteer (1966) (1980): Raigarh District
9. Government of Maharashtra, (1980-81 to 2000-01): “Season and Crop
Report”, Maharashtra State (Annual).
10. Government of Maharashtra, (2002-03): “District wise General and
Statistical Information of Agriculture Department”, Part II, Epitome of
Agriculture in Maharashtra
11. Handbook of Agriculture (1990): Indian Council of Agricultural
Research, New Delhi. pp 20, 168-170, 203,
12. http//www.google earth.com
13. http://www.indiastat.com
14. http/www.mah.nic.in
15. http://maharashtraonline.in/Profile/Districts/Raigad.asp
16. http//www.raigad.nic.in
17. http//www.wikipedia.com
18. Socio-economic Review and Statistical Abstract, Raigarh District, 1980
-2009

61
 Chapter II – Geographical Personality

62