Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : 216
Sex Ratio Rank : 321
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 14 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 266 (Census 2001)
Minority : Yes
Water : Flouride in Groundwater above permissible limits
Brief About Nadia
District
Tourist Places
Nabadwip lies on the western side of the river Bhagirathi at
a distance of about 20 K.M. from Krishnagar and it is associated
with birth of Lord Sri. Chaitanya and the advent of the Vaishnab
religion in Bengal. Sri. Chaitanya was not only a religious leader
preaching Vaishnab ideas and Bhakti cult but also a social reformer
in the 16th Century. Nabadwip was the capital of Lakshman Sena,
the famous ruler of Sena dynasty, who ruled from 1179 to 1203. There
are a number of temples and pilgrimage centres. Dwadas Shib Mandir
built in 1835 with the exquisite floral designs attracts a large
number of pilgrims. The images and idols of Lord Sri. Chaitanaya
in a few other places are also regarded with reverence.
Places of Tourist accommodation...
- Guest House of Nabadwip Municipality at Nabadwip
- Irrigation Bunglow at Swarupgunj opposite Nabadwip across
the river Bhagirathi
- ISKCON Guest House at Mayapur opposite Nabadwip across the
river Bhagirathi
- Boarding house of Chatayan Gauduya Misson, Mayapur
- Guest House of Nabadwip Panchayat Samiti, Mayapur
- A few private hotels
Mayapur is situated on the opposite of
Nabadwip across the river Bhagirathi. Some Schools of thought
claim this place to be the actual birth place of Lord Sri Chaitanya
The ISKCON temple of A.C.Bhaktivedanta, the Saraswat
Adwaita Math and the Chaitanya Gaudiya Math are the important
temples at Mayapur. During Holi (DOL) festival Rashyatra Mayapur
presents itself as a center of harmony, amity, fraternity and
festivity.
Shantipur had been a seat of Sanskrit
learning and literature, Vedic texts and scriptures since ninth
century. It is located in the Ranaghat Sub-division of the district
and is about 18 K.M. away from Krishnagar. The Topkhana Mosque
was built by Fauzder Gazi Mohammad Yaar Khan in 1703 – 1704
during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. This mosque consists
of a big dome and eight minars.
The Shayam Chand Temple built in traditional "Aatchala"
manner, the Jaleswar Temple with its exquisite terracotta designs
and the Adwaita Prabhu Temple are the noteworthy temples of Shantipur.
The weavers of Shantipur have made themselves famous throughout
India by their professional aptitude in making "Tant Saree".
Fulia a township very close to Shantipur, is the birth place of
Poet Krittibas, composer of Bangla Ramayan
Palashi is a place of great historical
interest. It is situated at a distance of about 50 K.M. from Krishnanagar.
The famous Battle of Plassey was fought here on 23rd June, 1757
between the last independent ruler of Bengal, Nawab Siraj Ud-Daula
(1756-1757) and the British forces under the command of Lord Clive.
This battle marked the advent of the British rule in the erstwhile
Bengal and in India as a whole. A memorial stone to mark the victory
of the British was erected here in 1883. The structure which stands
even today was built at a later period of Lord Curzon.
Ballal Dhip i is located near Bamanpukur
Bazar on way to Mayapur at a distance of about 25 K.M. from Krishnanagar.
The excavation work was started here by the Archaeological Survey
of India in the early 1980s, It revealed a unique structural complex
covering nearly 13,000 Sq. meters. Centering around a mound (Dhipi)
having a height of 9 metres.
This complex identifies itself with the Vikramsila Vihar. Experts
say that this side of Stupa (Vihar) of eighth / ninth century
was perhaps a seat of learning and pilgrimage up to the eleventh
century.
Shivaniwas is located within Krishnaganj
Block in the Sadar Sub-Division and is about 26 K.M. away from
Krishnanagar. Predicting an attack from the Bargis and Marathi
raiders, Raja Krishna Chandra Rai (1728 – 1782) temporarily
shifted his capital from Krishnanagar to this place. The Raj Rajeswar
Temple, named after Lord Shiva, was build by him in 1754. The
Shivalinga enshrined in this temple is said to be the largest
in Asia.
The Ragniswar temple and the Ram-Sita temple built in 1762 form
a composite structure alongside Raj Rajeswari Temple, locally
known as Buro-Shib Mandir. The architecture of this temple bears
Gothic influence.
Krishnanagar is the district headquarters situated
on the bank of river Jalangi. Krishnanagar is named after Raja
Krishna Chandra Rai (1728 – 1782). The Rajbari built here
during the reign of Raja Krishna Chandra Rai is a prominent place
of tourist attraction though the remnants of the past glory have
been eroded and only a dilapidated structure of the exquisite
places with carving on its inner walls exists today.
Krishnanagar was the birth place of the noted Poet, Composer
and Playwright Shri. Dwijendra Lal Roy (1863 – 1913) whose
contribution to Bengali Literature needs no mention. The Christian
Missionaries attached much importance to Krishnanagar. The Protestant
Church was built here during 1840s . The Roman Catholic Cathedral
was built in 1898. The origin of famous clay models of Krishnanagar
is
Ghurni. The clay model artists of Ghurni have won international
repute and fame for their excellence in clay modelling.
A forest covering about 67 Hectares is located
at Bethuadahari which is situated at a distance
of about 22 K.M. from Krishnanagar. This forest is actually an
extended Deer Park. The forest was established in 1980 to preserve
the bio-diversity of the central Gangetic alluvial zone. A census
of 1998 reveals a population of 295 deer in this forest and other
wild life includes Python, Jungle Cat, Porcupine, Monitor Lizard,
Snake and a variety of birds (around 50 species)
Prospective Tourist Spots
Bahadurpur forest situated by the side of N.H.-34 in Krishnanagar-II
Block has been chosen as a prospective spot for Jungle Safari
Hasadanga Beel adjacent to Bahadurpur Forest
is a vast waterbody which can be transformed into a Water Sports
Complex. This Beel has the potential to be developed as a safe
haven for the seasonal migratory birds
Mangaldwip Char which has emerged at the confluence
of the Bhagirathi and the Churni in Ranaghat-I Block is another
spot likely to be developed as a Tourist Transit Point-Cum-Resort
along the river cruise to Murshidabad
Agriculrure
Nadia remains evergreen with seasonal field crops
throughout the year for its plenty of underground water and soil
type (new alluvium). Almost all the important crops are profitably
grown in this district the economy of which depends mainly on
agriculture. Farmers of this district are progressive in mind
to adopt new technology for development of agriculture.
Net cropped area is 2,72,135 hectares. However,
cropped area is decreasing slowly owing to necessity of conversion
of agricultural land for construction of dwelling houses thereon.
In spite of the high rate of growth of population, there has been
no deficit of food grains in the district during the last three
decades.
While the food grains (i.e. rice, wheat, pulses
and oilseeds) production was 5,13,540 M.T. in 1976-77, in rose
to 9,42,601 M.T. in 2000-01. It is worth mentioning here that
the area under cultivation of oilseeds went up remarkably from
16,794 hectares in 1976-77 to 1,08,913 hectares in 2000-01 and
the production increased from 9,328 M.T. in 1976-77 to 99,989
M.T. in 2000-01. This success is due to the introduction of H.Y.V.
seeds of mustard, groundnut etc. and application of the improved
technology of crop management and pest management.
Vegetables production has recorded a very high
growth over the years. While the Vegetables production was 1,20,000
M.T. in 1976-77, in came to 12,50,182 M.T. in 2000-01.
Jute is another crop the production of which
almost trebled during the period from 1976-77 to 2000-01. Jute
production increased from 6,23,366 bales in 1976-77 to 17,02,760
bales in 2000-01. The curve of productivity in agriculture is
upward in respect of most of the crops
Irrigation
Irrigation sources have been created in the district
under the minor and small irrigation project. Irrigation potentialities
have increased significantly over the years. 30.37% of the total
agricultural land was irrigated in 1976-77. In 2000-01 the total
agricultural land that had irrigation facilities rose to 78.10
%. The number of deep tube wells has increased from 531 in 1976-77
to 664 in 2000-01. There were only 15,700 shallow tube wells in
1976-77 and their count rose to 64,637 by 2000-01
Although significant exploitation of water resources
has already been made in the district there still remains
exploitable water resources, both surface and ground. The Landform
of the district does not support creation of surface water reservoirs.
Installation of 20 Heavy Duty Tubewells (HDTW)
has been taken up and it will create an additional irrigation
potential of 800 hectares. The installation work of 300 Light
Duty Tubewells (LDTW) in clusters has also been taken up and this
would cater to the needs for an additional 1,200 hectares. Moreover,
6 diesel-operated major River Lift Irrigation(RLI) schemes will
be implemented very soon for creation of additional irrigation
potentiality of 480 hectares
