Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : 316
Sex Ratio Rank : 330 (Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C (HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 291 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 522 (Census 2001)
Minority : Yes
Earthquake : Earthquake measuring 7.1 in 1930
Challenges of the district : Our
research with local communities
Dhubri is the most backward district of the eastern
zone. Even in terms of literacy we are the most backward.
Children from conservative Muslim families do not go to school.
So the drop out rate is high among Muslims. Women literacy rate
is also very unsatisfactory.
Terrorism is the second important issue we are facing. Dhubri
is situated in the hilly region and these terrorist take shelter
over there.
Unemployment is another issue that needs to be fixed urgently.
Brief About Dhubri District
History
Assam starts with its south western boundary with the District
of Dhubri.The present Dhubri District is one of the three Civil
Sub-divisions of erst-while Goalpara district, established in
1876 during British regime. In 1879 the District head quarter
was shifted from Goalpara to Dhubri In the year 1983 Goalpara
district was divided into four separate districts and Dhubri is
one of those.
Covering an area of 2,838 Sq. Kms. including forests, iverines,
hills etc. the district has become the most densely populated
district in India with a density of 584 persons per Sq. Km.(As
per 2001 census).
Agriculture is the main livelihood for majority of the people
of the district. As per 1991 census reports, 73.21% of the total
work force has taken agro-based activities as means of livelihood.
The principal crops are Autumn paddy, Winter paddy, Mustard, Rape
seeds, Wheat and Jute. Other than agriculture, a small portion
of work-force is engaged in live- stock, forestry, fishery etc.,
while a very small number is engaged in mining & quarry and
in manufacturing and processing units.
Dhubri district is considered to be the most industrially backward
district of Assam. The Agricultural as well as natural resource
is not satisfactorily exploited for industrial purpose. However,
the district could attain an appreciable grade qualitatively in
the sphere of Handicraft, such as Terracotta, Pith Crafts, Cane
& Bamboo Crafts, Weaving, Jute Crafts etc..
With the backwardness in literacy and in absence of rich-industrial
infrastructure the general socio-economic condition of the district
is very poor. The economic growth rate of population multiplied
by influx problem from across the border is causing severe pressure
on agricultural land holding.
Rupshi airport is situated about 15 km away from Dhubri which
was constructed during last World WarII by the British Govt. exclusively
for millitary operation. Number of private companies operated
regular flights (Decota) carrying passengers as well as goods
between Calcutta / Dhubri via Jalpaiguri / Coochbehar (WB) after
Independence. The Indian Airlines also operated regular air flights
between Calcutta / Dhubri.At present the Airport is under the
National Airport Authority of India and lying unused.
Dhubri Dist. also withnessed the glorious visit of many of the
historical personalities like - Guru Nanaka, Srimanta Sankardeva,
Guru Teg Bahadur, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose, Gopinath Bordoloi and others. The Dhubri Town had
a very busy river port on the bank of the river Brahmaputra which
was used as an international trade centre with the eighbouring
countries.At present, this port is lying idle.Though the town
is connected with railway lines, its importance was decreased
when direct line to Calcutta was snapped after partition as the
line ran through the erst-while East Pakistan (presently Bangladesh)
The present Dhubri Town was first constituted as a Municipality
in 1883. The Dhubri Town is 290 km far from the State Capital
at Dispur.The Bench mark of the town is about 34 mts. above sea
level.
FLOOD AND EROSION
Flood is a recurring feature of the District which
causes extensive damage almost every year.
The South Salmara-Mankachar Sub-Division is worst affected by
floods every year, particularly the entire South Salmara revenue
Circle and Sukchar areas under Mankachar Circle. Major portion
of South Salmara Circle has already been washed away by errosion.
Under Golokganj revenue Circle, Golokganj Town and Pub-Kanuri
village are affected by flood and erosion of river Gangadhar.
Bilasipara Sub-Division is mostly affected by flash floods of
River Gaurang originating from Bhutan.
Geography
Dhubri District is bounded both by inter-state and
international border i.e. West Bengal and Bangladesh in the west,
Goalpara and Bogaigoan district of Assam and Garo Hills district
of Meghalaya in the east, Kokrajhar district in the north, Bangladesh
and state of Meghalaya in the south.
This district is located on the globe between 89.42 to 90.12
degree east longitude and 26.22 to 25.28 degree north latitude.
The district is situated at 30 meters above the sea level on average.
General topography of Dhubri district is plain with patches of
small hillocks like Tokorabandha, Dudhnath, Chandardinga, Boukumari,
Boropahar, Chakrasila etc. All these are situated in the north
eastern part of the district. Mighty river Brahmaputra is flowing
through this district from east to west with its tributaries like
Champabati, Gourang, Gadadhar, Gangadhar, Tipkai, Sankosh, Silai,
Jinjiram etc.
