View source for Dadra and Nagar Haveli

{{short description|District in Western India}}
{{about|the district|the Indian union territory in which this district is located|Dadra and Nagar Haveli and  Daman and Diu}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Dadra and Nagar Haveli district
| native_name                     = 
| settlement_type                 = [[Districts of India|District]]
| image_skyline                   = Dadra and Nagar Haveli Silvassa.jpg
| image_alt                       = 
| image_caption                   = [[Daman Ganga River]] in [[Silvassa]]
| image_blank_emblem              = 
| blank_emblem_type               = 
| nickname                        = 
| image_map                       = IN-DN.svg
| map_alt                         = 
| map_caption                     = 
| pushpin_map                     = 
| pushpin_label_position          = 
| pushpin_map_alt                 = 
| pushpin_map_caption             = 
| coordinates                     = {{coord|20.27|N|73.02|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[States and union territories of India|Union territory]]
| subdivision_name1               = {{flagicon image| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu emblem.png}} [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]]
| established_title               = 
| established_date                = 
| founder                         = 
| named_for                       = 
| seat_type                       = Headquarters
| seat                            = [[Silvassa]]
| government_type                 = 
| governing_body                  = 
| leader_title                    = 
| leader_name                     = 
| leader_title1                   = [[Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]]
| leader_name1                    = [[Seat vacant]]
| leader_title2                   = 
| leader_name2                    = 
| unit_pref                       = Metric
| area_footnotes                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 491
| area_rank                       = [[List of states and territories of India by area|32nd]]
| elevation_footnotes             = 
| elevation_m                     = 16
| population_total                = 343,709
| population_as_of                = 2011
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_rank                 = 33rd
| population_demonym              = 
| demographics_type1              = Languages<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf |page=87 |title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India |date=29 March 2016 |access-date=15 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| demographics1_title1            = Official
| demographics1_info1             = [[Hindi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| timezone1                       = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1                     = +5:30
| postal_code_type                = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| postal_code                     = 
| iso_code                        = 
| registration_plate              = DD-01
| blank1_name_sec1                = 
| blank1_info_sec1                = 
| website                         = {{URL|dnh.gov.in}}
| footnotes                       = 
| blank2_name_sec1                = HDI
| blank2_info_sec1                = {{steady}} 0.663 (2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=24 October 2018}}</ref>
| blank3_name_sec1                = HDI Category
| blank3_info_sec1                = <span style="color:#ffd215">medium</span>
}}
'''Dadra and Nagar Haveli'''  is a district of the [[India]]n [[union territory]] of [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]] in western India. It is composed of two separate geographical entities: [[Nagar Haveli]], wedged between [[Maharashtra]] and [[Gujarat]] and {{convert|1|km|mi}} to the northwest, the smaller [[enclave]] of [[Dadra, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu|Dadra]], which is surrounded by Gujarat. [[Silvassa]] is the administrative headquarters of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Unlike the surrounding areas, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was ruled by the Portuguese from 1783 until the mid-20th century. The area was captured by pro-India forces in 1954 and administered as the de facto state of [[Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli]] before being [[Annexation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli|annexed]] to India as a [[union territory]], the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in 1961.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.worldstatesmen.org/India_states.html#Dadra-Nagar | title=Indian states since 1947}}</ref> The union territory was merged with the neighbouring union territory of [[Daman and Diu]] to form the new union territory of "Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu" on 26 January 2020. The territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli then became one of the [[List of districts of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu|three districts]] of the new union territory, as the Dadra and Nagar Haveli district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indusdictum.com/2019/12/04/dadra-nagar-haveli-and-daman-diu-uts-merge-for-better-admin-efficiency-service-mos-home/|title=Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu UTs merge for 'better admin efficiency, service': MoS Home|first=The ID|last=Staff|date=4 December 2019|website=Indus Dictum|access-date=5 December 2019}}</ref>

==History==

===Pre-Portuguese era===
The history of Dadra and Nagar Haveli begins with the defeat of the [[Koli people|Koli]] chieftains of the region by the Rajput kings. In the year 1262 a [[Rajput]] prince from [[Rajasthan]] named Ramsinh established himself as the ruler of Ramnagar, the present-day [[Dharampur State|Dharampur]], which consisted of 8 [[pargana]]s (a group of villages) and assumed the title Maharana. Nagar Haveli was one of the Parganas, and its capital was Silvassa.

In 1360 Rana Dharamshah shifted his capital from Nagar Haveli to Nagar Fatehpur.

With the rise of [[Maratha]] power, Shivaji Maharaj viewed Ramnagar as an important locality. He captured the region, but Somshah Rana recaptured it in 1690.

After the Treaty of Vasai (6 May 1739), [[Vasai]] and the surrounding territories came under the Maratha rule.<ref name="penguin">The Penguin Guide to the States & Union Territories of India, 2007</ref>

Soon after, the Marathas captured Ramnagar but reinstated the ruler, Ramdeo, under conditions. Thus the Marathas acquired the rights to collect revenue, known as ''chauthai''. from Nagar Haveli and two other Parganas.

During the time of Dharamdeo, the son of Ramdeo, due to his change of policies (he neglected the conditions imposed earlier by the Marathas), the Marathas captured Nagar Haveli and the surrounding region.

===Portuguese era===
{{Main|Portuguese India}}
[[File:Damão, Dadra, Nagar Haveli.png|thumb|Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli during the Portuguese period]]
The Portuguese were granted the area of Nagar Haveli on 10 June 1783 on the basis of Friendship Treaty executed on 17 December 1779 as compensation towards damage to the Portuguese frigate Santana by [[Maratha Navy]] in 1772.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Nair|first=Rajeshwary|title=Study of Ethnobotanical Plants of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Their Significance to the Tribes|journal=Life Sciences Leaflets|date=1 October 2011|page=7|issn=0976-1098|url=http://api.ning.com/files/L*EC3kOB8rEqeDrTd-zaT3pnMEknAzeJwJoj61eEXX7WuoM2BcxLQoDxNf-lOY8ZEqP7DyPt7CGtyD1vdEB9gqFCmjHwO6MT/872.STUDYOFETHNOBOTANICALPLANTSOFDADRAANDNAGARHAVELIANDTHEIRSIGNIFICANCETOTHETRIBESByRAJESHWARYNAIR.pdf|access-date=25 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203082007/http://api.ning.com/files/L*EC3kOB8rEqeDrTd-zaT3pnMEknAzeJwJoj61eEXX7WuoM2BcxLQoDxNf-lOY8ZEqP7DyPt7CGtyD1vdEB9gqFCmjHwO6MT/872.STUDYOFETHNOBOTANICALPLANTSOFDADRAANDNAGARHAVELIANDTHEIRSIGNIFICANCETOTHETRIBESByRAJESHWARYNAIR.pdf|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The treaty allowed the Portuguese to collect revenue from 72 villages in Nagar Haveli. Then, in 1785 the Portuguese purchased Dadra, annexing it to Portuguese India (Estado Português da Índia).

In 1818, the [[Maratha Empire]] was defeated by the British in the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]], and the Portuguese ultimately became the effective rulers of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Under the Portuguese rule, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were part of the ''Distrito de Damão'' ([[Daman district, India|Daman district]]) of the ''[[Estado da Índia]]'' (Portuguese State of India). The two territories formed a single ''[[concelho]]'' (municipality), named "Nagar Haveli", with its head in Darará until 1885 and, after that, with its head in the town of [[Silvassa]]. The local affairs were overseen by an elected ''câmara municipal'' (municipal council), with the higher level affairs administrated by the district governor of Daman, who was represented in Nagar Haveli by an administrator.

The Nagar Haveli ''concelho'' was itself divided in the following ''[[freguesia]]''s ([[civil parish]]es): Silvassa, Noroli, Dadra, Quelalunim, Randá, Darará, Cadoli, Canoel, Carchonde, and Sindonim.

The Portuguese rule lasted until 1954, when Dadra and Nagar Haveli were captured by supporters of the Indian Union. It was the first colony to be detached from the Empire by the occupation of the Indian Union in 1954, after nearly two centuries of Portuguese rule.

===End of Portuguese rule===
{{Main|Indian annexation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli}}
After India attained Independence in 1947, the residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, with the help of volunteers of organisations like the United Front of Goans (UFG), the National Movement Liberation Organisation (NMLO), and the Azad Gomantak Dal, conquered the territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli from [[Portuguese India]] in 1954.<ref name =lele>P S Lele, ''Dadra and Nagar Haveli: past and present'', published by Usha P. Lele, 1987</ref>

As time passed the Indian Independence Struggle picked up momentum. On 18 June 1946, [[Ram Manohar Lohia]] was arrested in Goa. This was the beginning of the Independence struggle in Goa. He was deported to India. On 15 August 1947, India became independent from British rule, but the Portuguese and other European colonies were not immediately incorporated.

The Goan struggle continued for many years. Atmaram Narsinh Karmalkar, an officer in the Banco Colonial (Portuguese Bank) at [[Panaji]] (in Goa) (then known as Panjim), who was popularly known as Appasaheb Karmalkar was indirectly involved in the freedom struggle in Goa. He was dismissed from the bank and finally took up the struggle to liberate Goa. In the course of time, he realised that the liberation of DNH was crucial if Goa was to be liberated. Karmalkar reached Vapi and met Jayantibhai Desai from Dadra. He also met Bhikubhai Pandya from Nani Daman and Vanmali Bhavsar from Silvassa.

Azad Gomantak Dal under the leadership of Vishwanath Lavande, Dattatreya Deshpande, Prabhakar Sinar and others,  Communist Party under the leadership of Shamrao Parulekar and Godavaribai Parulekar, and the United Front of Goans under the leadership of Francis Mascerenhas, J.M. D'Souza, Waman Desai and others were also attempting the liberation of DNH.

On 18 June 1954, many leaders met at Lavaccha. Lavaccha and Vapi were Indian territories. The order in which these places are lying (from east to west) is Nagar Haveli, Lavaccha, Dadra, Vapi and Daman (on the sea coast). So the Portuguese officers required transit permits through Indian territories of Lavaccha and Vapi to travel between N.H, Dadra, and Daman.

On the night of 22 July 1954, 15 volunteers of the United Front of Goans under the leadership of Francis Mascerenhas and Waman Desai sneaked into the territory of Dadra and reached the police station. There was only three personnel at the police station. One was attacked with a knife by one of the volunteers and the other two were overpowered. The Indian tricolour was hoisted and the Indian National Anthem was sung. Dadra was declared "Free territory of Dadra".

On the night of 28 July, around 30 to 35 volunteers of Azad Gomantak Dal proceeded to Naroli from Karambele (Karambeli) by swimming across the rivulets. June to September is the rainy season in the region and the rivers are usually flooded during this season. The Daman Ganga river was flooded and no help could reach Naroli. This was the reason to choose this date for proceeding to Naroli. There were only six police personnel. The volunteers and the villages reached the police station and asked them to surrender or face death. They immediately surrendered. The Portuguese rule of Naroli came to an end.

The Special Reserve Police in the Indian Territory did not intervene. J.D. Nagarwala, the Dy. Inspector General of the Special Reserve Police in the Indian Territory, without entering DNH asked Captain Fidalgo, the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to surrender to the Indian Forces along with his paramilitary forces before they would be butchered by the liberators.

Leaving about 50 policemen and five civilian officers posted at Silvassa, Captain Fidalgo fled to Udva passing through Rakholi, Dappada, and Khanvel and surrendered to the SRP on 11 August. They were later allowed to go to Goa.

In the meanwhile, there were several rumours and the officers at Silvassa were in confusion. On 1 August the liberators took advantage of the situation and proceeded from Dadra and Naroli and liberated Pipariya. The five police officers surrendered without resistance.

During the night the RSS volunteers divided themselves into three batches and reached the police chowky at Silvassa. The police Chowky at Silvassa was protected by sandbags. There were three policemen guarding from three sides. Vasant Badve, Vishnu Bhople, and Shantaram Vaidya overpowered them from behind when least expected. The other policemen surrendered without resistance on seeing the other volunteers. The volunteers spent the night awake at the police [[chowky]].

On the morning of 2 August 1954, the liberators reached the town of Silvassa to find it free of any Portuguese occupation. The liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli was complete.

Senhor Luis de Gama, the eldest nationalist hoisted the Indian National Flag and declared the territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli liberated and the Indian National Anthem was sung.

===Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli===
{{main|Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli}}
[[File:Dadra-Nagarhaveli 1956.jpg|thumb|Old map of the territory.]]
From 1954 to 1961, Dadra and Nagar Haveli existed as a ''de facto'' state known as [[Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli]]. It was administered by a body called the Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli,<ref name="const10">[[Constitution of India]], 10th Amendment</ref><ref>[http://www.austlii.edu.au/~andrew/CommonLII/INSC/1986/43.html Umaji Keshao Meshram & Ors v. Radhikabhai w/o Anandrao Banapurkar AIR 1986 SC 1272]{{dead link|date=August 2015}}: this judgment mentions the Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in this period</ref> with administrative help from the government of India. Although it enjoyed ''de facto'' independence, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were still recognised internationally (e.g. by the [[International Court of Justice]]) as Portuguese possessions.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Case cing Right of Passage over Indian Territory (Merits), Judgement of 12 April 1960 |journal=International Court of Justice Reports 1960 |page=6 |url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/32/4521.pdf |access-date=1 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220044651/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/32/4521.pdf |archive-date=20 December 2011 }}</ref>

===Integration into India===
In 1961, amidst Indian preparation for the [[Invasion of Goa|invasion of Goa, Daman, and Diu]], K.G. Badlani, an officer of the [[Indian Administrative Service]] was, for one day, designated the Prime Minister of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, so that, as Head of State, he could sign an agreement with the Prime Minister of India, [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], and formally merge Dadra and Nagar Haveli with the Republic of India. The [[Tenth Amendment of the Constitution of India]] was passed to incorporate Dadra and Nagar Haveli as a union territory, effective 11 August 1961.

On 31 December 1974 a treaty was signed between India and Portugal on recognition of India's sovereignty over Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.commonlii.org/in/other/treaties/INTSer/1974/53.html |title=Treaty Between the Government of India and the Government of the Republic of Portugal on Recognition of India's Sovereignty Over Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Related Matters 1974 |access-date=2 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000634/http://www.commonlii.org/in/other/treaties/INTSer/1974/53.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In December 2019, the Parliament of India passed legislation to merge Dadra and Nagar Haveli with the nearby union territory of [[Daman and Diu]] to create a single union territory to be known as [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]] on 26 January 2020. Dadra and Nagar Haveli will be one of the three districts of the new union territory.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dutta |first1=Amrita Nayak |title=There will be one UT less as Modi govt plans to merge Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu |url=https://theprint.in/india/there-will-be-one-ut-less-as-modi-govt-plans-to-merge-dadra-nagar-haveli-and-daman-diu/261056/ |access-date=22 August 2019 |work=The Print |date=10 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/national/754685-govt-plans-to-merge-2-uts----daman-and-diu-dadra-and-nagar-haveli |title = Govt plans to merge 2 UTs -- Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli}}</ref><ref>http://164.100.47.4/BillsTexts/LSBillTexts/Asintroduced/366_2019_LS_Eng.pdf</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Dadra Nagar Haveli Locator Map.svg|thumb|Location of Dadra and Nagar Haveli]]
The area of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is spread over {{convert|491|km2|sqmi}}. Its population density is {{convert|698|km2|sqmi|abbr=}}. Though landlocked between [[Gujarat]] to the north and [[Maharashtra]] to the south, it is close to the western coast of India (between 20°0′ and 20°25′ N latitude and between 72°50′ and 73°15′ E longitude),<ref name='Reference Annual'>{{cite book | editor1 = Srivastava, Dayawanti |editor2=others |display-editors=1 | title = India 2010: A Reference Annual | chapter = States and Union Territories: Dadra and Nagar Haveli | edition = 54th | publisher = Additional Director General, Publications Division, [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)]], [[Government of India]] | year = 2010 | location = New Delhi, India | page = 1213 | isbn = 978-81-230-1617-7}}</ref> and the [[Arabian Sea]] can be reached via [[Vapi]] in Gujarat.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli comprises two separate geographical units. The larger part—Nagar Haveli—spans a roughly C-shaped area upriver from the city of [[Daman, Daman and Diu|Daman]] on the coast, at the centre of which, straddling the border with Gujarat, is the Madhuban reservoir. The smaller enclave of Dadra is a short distance to the northwest.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli is in the middle of the undulating watershed of the [[Daman Ganga River]], which flows through Nagar Haveli and later forms the short southern border of Dadra. The towns of Dadra and Silvassa lie on the north bank of the river.  The [[Western Ghats]] range rises to the east, and the foothills of the range occupy the eastern portion of the district.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli is surrounded by Valsad District of Gujarat on the west, north, and east, and by Thane District of Maharashtra on the south and southeast (after the division of Thane District, it is now surrounded by the newly formed Palghar District).<ref name="socio-eco">{{cite journal|last=Singh |first=A.K. |title=Socio Economic Development of Dadra and Nagar Haveli since its Liberation|year=2008|series=24}}</ref>

[[Maghval]] is a small enclave village belonging to Gujarat that is located within [[Nagar Haveli]], just south of [[Silvassa]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://vlist.in/sub-district/03930.html | title=Villages in Kaprada Taluka | publisher=vlist.in | website=vlist.in/ | access-date=18 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304222805/http://vlist.in/sub-district/03930.html | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite map|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/damao_1956.jpg|year=1956|title=Damao (Daman) 1954 (Topographic Map) original scale 1:250,000.|access-date=6 October 2013|quote=Portion of Navsari, Sheet NF 43-13, Series U502, U.S. Army Map Service compiled in 1954 and printed in 1956 (Perry–Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas Libraries)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911003530/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/damao_1956.jpg|archive-date=11 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The nearest railway station are Bhilad & Vapi in Gujarat on the Mumbai-Delhi route ( Western Railways ) .<ref>{{Cite web|last=karthik|title=0 COVID-19 Special Departures from Bhilad WR/Western Zone - Railway Enquiry|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/bhilad-bld/2172|access-date=5 August 2020|website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Aniket|title=14 COVID-19 Special Arrivals at Vapi WR/Western Zone - Railway Enquiry|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/vapi-vapi/68|access-date=5 August 2020|website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref> Bhilad is about 14&nbsp;km west of Silvassa & Vapi is about 18&nbsp;km northwest of Silvassa. [[Mumbai]] is approximately 180&nbsp;km from Silvassa. [[Surat]] city is about 140&nbsp;km away. Mumbai and Surat are the nearest airports.

===Topography===
The stretch of the main southern area is hilly terrain especially towards the northeast and east where it is surrounded by ranges of the Sahyadri mountains (Western Ghats). The central [[alluvial plain|alluvial]] region of the land is almost plain and the soil is fertile and rich. The river Damanganga rises in the Ghat 64&nbsp;km from the western coast and discharges itself in the Arabian Sea at the port of Daman after crossing Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Its three tributaries, Varna, Pipri and Sakartond, join Daman Ganga within the territory.<ref name="webmail">{{cite web|url=http://www.webindia123.com/Territories/DADRANAGARHAVELI/land/land.htm|title=Dadra and Nagar Haveli – Land, Climate and transport|access-date=12 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612045222/http://www.webindia123.com/Territories/DADRANAGARHAVELI/land/land.htm|archive-date=12 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TCS />

===Flora and fauna===
[[File:Baby Cheetal Deer.jpg|thumb|left|Baby Cheetal Deer]]
Dadra and Nagar Haveli lies within the [[North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests]] ecoregion, characterised by forests of [[teak]] (''Tectona grandis'') and other dry-season deciduous trees.<ref>Worldwide Fund for Nature. "North Western Ghats Moist Deciduous Forests". Accessed 4 September 2017. [https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/im0134] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905140801/https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/im0134 |date=5 September 2017 }}</ref>

[[File:Dnh forest cover mix.png|thumb|350px]]
About 43% of the land is under forest cover. However, the reserved forest territory constitutes about 40% of the total geographical area. The protected forests constitute 2.45% of the total land area.

According to satellite data taken in 2008, DNH has roughly about {{convert|114|km2|acre}} of moderately dense forest and {{convert|94|km2|acre}} open forest. According to the Forest Survey of India, DNH has two major forest types: tropical moist deciduous forest and tropical dry deciduous forest. The major produce is khair wood and general timber. [[Teak]], sandra<!--Please provide English/Latin translations for these types of wood-->, khair, mahara and sisam are the major tree species in the region.<ref name=TCS>{{cite journal|author=Tata Consultancy Services|title=Tourism Perspective Plan for Dadra & Nagar Haveli|year=2002|publisher=Government of India}}</ref>
[[File:Dnh forest type group mix.png|thumb|350px]] Tree cover has been estimated around 27&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> from the six-year data (2002–08), which is around 5.5% of the total geographical area of DNH.<ref name=FSI>{{cite journal|title=Forest and Tree Resources in States and Union Territories|year=2011|pages=255–257|publisher=Forest Survey of India}}</ref>

The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary covers 91.39 square kilometres, or about 19% of the union territory's total area. The sanctuary provides a habitat for [[leopard]] (''Panthera pardus''), [[wildcat]] (''Felis silvestris''), [[striped hyena]] (''Hyaena hyaena''), fox (''Vulpes'' spp.), [[golden jackal]] (''Canis aureus''), [[nilgai]] (''Boselaphus tragocamelus''), [[four-horned antelope]] (''Tetracerus quadricornis''), [[sambar deer]] (''Rusa unicolor''), and [[chital|chital deer]] (''Axis axis''), and birds including black drongo, bulbul, kingfisher, egret, hoopoe, mynah, heron, and red jungle fowl. In 2014 an additional eco-sensitive area was designated in the 100-meter buffer zone around the wildlife sanctuary, with an area of 26.57 square kilometres.<ref>Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India (2014) "Draft Notification of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary - Declaration as Eco-sensitive Zone around Dadra and Nagar Haveli" S.O.2927(E) [17 November 2014]. Accessed 4 September 2017. [http://www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/ESZ_Draft_notification_dadra_nagar_haveli.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703061700/http://www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/ESZ_Draft_notification_dadra_nagar_haveli.pdf |date=3 July 2015 }}</ref>

The rich biodiversity makes it a habitat for a variety of birds and animals and thus a destination for inland and coastal [[safari]] and [[eco-tourism]]. Silvassa's hills and [[buffer zone|wide, forested buffer land]] attract wildlife enthusiasts.

===Climate===
The climate of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is typical of its type. Being near the coast, all but the sparsely inhabited easternmost parts have a typical north [[Indian Ocean]] maritime climate. The summers are hot and become in their later part more humid with temperatures reaching as high as 39&nbsp;°C in the month of May. The monsoon starts in the month of June and extends until September. The rainfall is brought by southwest monsoon winds. It is known as the [[Cherrapunji]] that covers the bulk of western India (apart from the [[Thar Desert]]) which produces most of the annual rainfall of 200–250&nbsp;cm. Winters are between maritime temperate and semi-tropical with temperatures ranging from 14&nbsp;°C to 30&nbsp;°C, reliably, as with the monsoon, with scant deviation from this range.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hotels Silvassa summary sections|url=http://www.hotelssilvassa.com/Silvassa-info/silvassa-climate.aspx|access-date=12 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614035012/http://www.hotelssilvassa.com/Silvassa-info/silvassa-climate.aspx|archive-date=14 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Silvassa Weather, Silvassa Weather Forecast, Temperature, Festivals, Best Season|url=http://www.mustseeindia.com/Silvassa-weather|work=tourism|access-date=13 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626213334/http://www.mustseeindia.com/Silvassa-weather|archive-date=26 June 2012}}</ref>
{{Wide image|Dadra and Nagar Haveli banner.jpg|1200px|Dadra and Nagar Haveli Coastal}}This image is the coast of Daman. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has no coastal region as it is land-locked.

==Administration==

[[File:Dadra and Nagar Haveli Silvassa 3.jpg|thumb|Silvassa Town Hall|alt=]]
{{IndiaCensusPop
| title= Population Growth
| state=
| 1951= 42000
| 1961= 58000
| 1971= 74000
| 1981= 104000
| 1991= 138000
| 2001= 220000
| 2011=342853
| estimate=
| estyear=
| estref=
| footnote=Source:Census of India<ref name="Census Population">{{cite web|url=http://indiabudget.nic.in/es2006-07/chapt2007/tab97.pdf|title=Census Population|work=Census of India|publisher=Ministry of Finance India|access-date=18 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219073658/http://indiabudget.nic.in/es2006-07/chapt2007/tab97.pdf|archive-date=19 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
Dadra and Nagar Haveli covers an area of 487&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> and consists of two talukas:
* [[Dadra DNH|Dadra]]
* [[Nagar Haveli DNH|Nagar Haveli]]

Dadra is the headquarters of Dadra taluka, comprising Dadra town and two other villages.

Silvassa is the headquarters of Nagar Haveli taluka, comprising Silvassa town and 68 other villages.<ref name="dnh official">{{cite web|title=Dadra and Nagar Haveli|url=http://dnh.nic.in/|work=Government of D&NH|publisher=Administration of D&NH|access-date=19 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118002436/http://dnh.nic.in/|archive-date=18 November 2012}}</ref>

==Education==
There are no universities in Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Colleges in the territory include [[Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Government College, Silvassa]] and [[SSR College of Arts, Science and Commerce]] and Smt.Devkiba Mohansinhji Chauhan College of Commerce and Science.

==Economy==
Dadra and Nagar Haveli's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $218&nbsp;million in current prices. Its nominal GDP increased to $360&nbsp;million in the year 2009 with a per capita GDP of $1,050. The economy of DNH relies on five major activities viz. agriculture, industries, forestry, animal husbandry and tourism.<ref name=TCS /><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite book|last=Shah|first=N.R.|title=Socio Economic Development of Dadra and Nagar Haveli|year=2008|publisher=Dept. of Planning and Statistics, DNH|location=DNH|page=51}}</ref><ref name="dnh_ind">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dnh.nic.in/industry.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212125843/http://www.dnh.nic.in/industry.html|url-status=dead|title=Industries in Dadar and Nagar Haveli|archive-date=12 February 2010|access-date=5 December 2019}}</ref><ref name=DNHIA>{{cite web|title=Dadra and Nagar Haveli Industries Association |url=http://www.ut-dnhindass.org/Facts_Figure.html |access-date=23 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625165947/http://www.ut-dnhindass.org/Facts_Figure.html |archive-date=25 June 2012 }}</ref>

===Agriculture===
[[File:Blossom, Vanganga Lake, Dadra - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Blossom at Vanganga Lake, Dadra]]
The basic economic activity of the territory is agriculture involving about 60% of the working population. The total land area under cultivation is {{convert|236.27|km2|acre}} i.e. 48% of the total geographical area. The area under high yielding crops is {{convert|12000|acre|km2}}. The main food crops cultivated in this area are paddy (40% of the net sown area), ''ragi'', small millets, jowar, sugarcanes, ''tur'', ''nagli'' and ''val''. Vegetables like tomato, cauliflower, cabbage and brinjal and fruits like mango, chikoo, guava, coconut and banana are also grown.<ref name=agri>{{cite web|title=Agriculture Department |url=http://dnh.nic.in/deptdoc/Agri.pdf |work=Government of Dadra and Nagar Haveli |publisher=UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli |access-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413082013/http://dnh.nic.in/deptdoc/Agri.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2012 }}</ref> Agriculture sector has given a major boost to the economy of DNH.

The local population is also involved in forestry and animal husbandry. 92.76% of the farmers belong to the weaker sections and 89.36% of them are tribal farmers.<ref name=agri /> There is a full-fledged veterinary hospital and nine veterinary dispensaries. Mass vaccination against various diseases is done regularly free of cost by the Animal Husbandry Department.<ref name="socio-eco" />

===Industry===

Another major contributor to the economy is the manufacturing industries. Due to heavy industrialisation in the region owing to tax stops for industries in the union territories, steady growth in employment has been observed. The employment generation is increasing at a pace of 5% per annum.

Industrialisation in the area began in 1965 when the first industrial unit in the UT was started at Piparia, Silvassa in the cooperative sector by Dan Udyog Sahakari Sangh Ltd, following which three industrial estates were established at Masat (1976), Khadoli (1982) and Silvassa (1985). Earlier (before 1965) only traditional craftsmen who made clay pots, leather items, viz., chappals, shoes and some other items of bamboo were present. Since there was no sales tax in the UT, it attracted many entrepreneurs. Around 30 new units comprising Engineering, fabric weaving units and dyeing and printing units were established until 1970.

In 1971, UT was declared as an industrially backward area by [[Government of India]] and increased the cash subsidy to 15 to 25% for the industrial units on their capital investment which resulted in the speedy industrial development. The scheme was however terminated from 30 September 1988. Sales Tax Act was implemented from January 1984 until 1998 under which industries enjoyed sales tax exemption for 15 years from the start-up date. [[VAT]] was introduced in 2005. At present, the newly established units get Central Sales Tax exemption which will continue until 2017.<ref name="dnh_ind" />

There are more than 2710 units functioning providing employment to about 46000 people with a capital investment of {{INRConvert|377.8310|m}}.<ref name="socio-eco" />
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Number
|-
| Small scale industries || 2118
|-
| Medium scale industries|| 564
|-
|Large scale industries|| 28
|}

==Demographics==

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Dadra and Nagar Haveli has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 343,709.<ref name=districtcensus>{{cite web | url = http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | title = District Census 2011 | access-date = 30 September 2011 | year = 2011 | publisher = Census2011.co.in | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110611224943/http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | archive-date = 11 June 2011 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison:Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | access-date = 1 October 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927165947/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | archive-date = 27 September 2011 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 566th in India, out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]] districts.<ref name=districtcensus/> It has a population density of {{convert|698|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}, and its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade from 2001 to 2011 was 55.5 percent, which is the highest percentage growth among all Indian states and union territories.<ref name=districtcensus/><ref name=statecensus>{{cite web | url=http://www.census2011.co.in/staest.php | title = State Census 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2015}}</ref> Dadra and Nagar Haveli has a [[human sex ratio|sex ratio]] of 775 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1,000 males, and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 77.65%.<ref name=districtcensus/>

== Ethnography, religion and language ==
Tribal groups make up a large part of the population viz 62%. The most prominent are Dhodia (16.90%), Kokna (16.85%) and Warli (62.94%), with small groups of [[Koli People|Koli]], Kathodi, Naika, and Dubla scattered across the territory, collectively representing 3.31% of the population. Dhodias and Dublas mainly populate the Northern part, whereas Koknas and Warlis are found all over the Union Territory. They worship the primary deities of Dis (Sun) and Chand (Moon), and Narandev, Kanasari, Himai, Hirva, Veer, Rangtai and Vagdev.

One prominent feature of this territory is that people from all over India form a part of non-tribal residents. DNH has many industries due to tax concessions granted to industry and therefore people from all over the country have migrated to the region.
North Indians have a prime influence in the area. Gujarati is one of the three official languages, the others being Hindi and English. Besides Gujarati persons, one can find Marathi, Rajasthani, Bihari, Udia, Tamil, Uttar Pradeshi and people from several other states. The prime reason for such a diverse population is the industrial hub. Employment opportunities, good climate, and the landscape are highly appealing.

Per the 2001 Census, out of the 137,225 ST persons of the UT, almost all were Hindus except for 3,796 Christians (2.8%).<ref name="census 2001">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/States_at_glance/State_Links/26_dnh.pdf|title=Dadra & Nagar Haveli (26): Housing Profile|work=Census 2001|publisher=Government of India|access-date=19 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930122148/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/States_at_glance/State_Links/26_dnh.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> As a former Portuguese enclave, [[Silvassa]] has a significant Roman Catholic population. Kokna has the highest Christian population in 2001, 6.7%. Recently Digambara Jains constructed a temple in the capital city Silvassa. Swetambara Jains also have a temple in Dadra and Silvassa.

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in State (2011)<ref name= "census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community - 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
|color1 = orange
|value1 = 93.93
|label2 = [[Islam]]
|color2 = Green
|value2 = 3.75
|label3 = [[Christianity]]
|color3 = DodgerBlue
|value3 = 1.48
|label4 = [[Jainism]]
|color4 = red
|value4 = 0.34
|label5 = [[Buddhism]]
|color5 = yellow
|value5 = 0.18
|label6 = [[Sikhism]]
|color6 = DarkKhaki
|value6 = 0.06
|label7 = Other Religions
|color7 = Black
|value7 = 0.08
|label8 = [[Irreligion|Atheist]]
|color8 = Gray
|value8 = 0.001
}}

There are 72 villages, mainly inhabited by the various tribal communities like the Warly (Warlie), Kokana, Dhodia, Koli, Kathodi, Naika, Dubla and Kolgha. The tribal communities are locally known as Adivasi (which means original inhabitant). Each community has its own culture, traditions and languages and dialects. None of these languages has written literature or script until today. The tribal communities consist of approximately 60% of the population of DNH. (Earlier in the eighties it was more than 80%, but after influx from different parts of the country, the percentage has reduced). But the influx has helped the tribal people in increasing their earnings and standard of living.

[[Varli language|Warli]] is the language spoken by the Warli people.  [[Agri language|Agri]] the dialect of [[Marathi language|Marathi]] which is spoken by Agri community.

{{Pie chart| thumb = right
|caption=Languages Dadra and Nagar Haveli (2011)<ref name="census2011-langreport">{{cite web |title=Language – India, States and Union Territories |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General |pages=12–14, 32 |access-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114073412/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
|label1=[[Bhili language|Bhili]]
|value1=37.26
|label2=[[Hindi]]
|value2=26.16|color2= orange
|label3=[[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
|value3=21.48
|label4=[[Marathi language|Marathi]]
|value4=7.01
|label5=[[Konkani]]
|value5=2.26
|label6=[[Odia language|Odia]]
|value6=1.30
|color6 = green
|label7=[[Bengali language|Bengali]]
|value7=0.91
|color7=purple
|label8 = Others
|value8 = 3.62
|color8 = grey
}}

The languages taught in schools in Dadra and Nagar Haveli under the [[three-language formula]] are as follows:<ref>{{cite web|title=51st REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES IN INDIA|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM51stReport.pdf|website=nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|date=15 July 2015|access-date=15 February 2018|page=121|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025959/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM51stReport.pdf|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

#First Language: Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi
#Second Language: Marathi, Gujarati
#Third Language: English

A former Portuguese enclave, [[Silvassa]] has a significant Roman Catholic population, speaking a distinct dialect of [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]. [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] languages are widely spoken.<ref name="Dadra Nagar Haveli tourism">{{Cite web|url=http://dnh.nic.in/Home%20Page_files/Tourism/silvassa.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616040015/http://dnh.nic.in/Home%20Page_files/Tourism/silvassa.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Dadra Nagar Haveli tourism|archive-date=16 June 2006|access-date=5 December 2019}}</ref> [[Hindi]] and [[Marathi language|Marathi]] are also understood.<ref name="Dadra Nagar Haveli tourism"/>

The main tribes are [[Warli]]s, [[Dhodia]] [[Kokna]], etc.<ref name=kre>{{Cite web |url=http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/T-Anth/Anth-11-0-000-09-Web/Anth-11-1-001-09-Abst-PDF/Anth-11-1-065-09-521-Meitei-S-Y/|title= Anth-11-1-065-09-521-Meitei-S-Y-Tt.pdf  |access-date=15 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102203725/http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/T-Anth/Anth-11-0-000-09-Web/Anth-11-1-001-09-Abst-PDF/Anth-11-1-065-09-521-Meitei-S-Y/Anth-11-1-065-09-521-Meitei-S-Y-Tt.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===Castes===
The prominent castes occupying this territory are [[Rajput]]s, [[Ahir]]s, [[Chamar]], [[Mahar]], and associated castes.

===Warli===
[[File:Painted prayers, Warli paintings, at Sanskriti Kendra, Anandagram, New Delhi.jpg|thumb|Warli Painting at Saskriti Kendra, New Delhi]]
Although commonly associated with Maharashtra, and also found in Gujarat, Warlis consider the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to be their original home. The [[Warli]]s speak an [[Indo-Aryan language]] [[Varli language|related to Marathi and Konkani]] and are the largest tribal group in the territory and constitute ~ 63% (62.94%) of the total tribal population.

Rituals are extremely important to the Warlis; they are nature worshipers who regard the Sun and the Moon as the eyes of God. Their main deities are Naran dev, Hirwa, Himai, and Waghio, and stone images of these deities are found in tree groves. A Bhagat plays the Ghangal (a musical instrument made from gourd, bamboo and iron strings) and performs the rituals.

Traditionally the Warlis wear a loin cloth with a small waist coat and a turban. The women wear a knee-length, one-yard saree – lugde – and adorn themselves with silver and white metal ornaments.<ref name=tribe>{{cite book|title=Tribes of Silvassa |publisher=Department of Tourism, UT of D&NH |location=Silvassa |pages=1–7 |url=http://www.silvassa-tourism.com/pdf/tribes_of_dnh.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324044401/http://www.silvassa-tourism.com/pdf/tribes_of_dnh.pdf |archive-date=24 March 2012 }}</ref>

===Dhodia===
The term Dhodia seems to be derived from Dhundi, which means a small thatched hut, and the Dhodias are primarily hut dwellers. They reside mostly in the northern part of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. They are known to be the most educated among all the tribes and are good cultivators. Some own enough farmland to be able to earn a decent livelihood.

Traditionally the men wear a white knee-length dhoti with a shirt or waistcoat, white or coloured caps, and ornaments like earrings and silver chains around their waist. The women wear a knee-length dark blue saree with an ''aanchal'' worn from the front and left loose at the back. Popular accessories include colourful bead necklaces, and metal ornaments such as bangles or thick ''kadas'' around their ankles.<ref name=tribe />

===Kokna===
The Koknas derive their name from the Konkan region in West India. They have land of their own, produce paddy and are better cultivators than the Warlis. With the introduction of formal education many of them have moved up the social ladder.

Koknas well built and both men and women often tattoo their bodies, especially their foreheads. The men wear a dhoti up to the knees, with a waistcoat or shirt and a turban. The women wear traditional colourful sarees that are either knee-length or full length.<ref name=tribe />

===Kathodia===
The Kathodis, called Katkari in the Thane district of Maharashtra, make up 0.08% of the total tribal population of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Their name is derived from their profession of kattha or catechew making.

They are considered to be at the bottom of the tribal social ladder. They usually live in forests, in semi-permanent settlements. Most of them cut wood and collect charcoal. The government has tried to improve their standard of living by engaging them in permanent professions.
They wear minimal jewelry; what is worn adorns the women only.<ref name =tribe />

==See also==

* [[Portuguese Empire]]
* [[Portuguese India]]
* [[Annexation of Goa]]
* [[Goa]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://dnh.gov.in/ District administration]
* [http://collectordnh.gov.in/ District collector]
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Dadra and Nagar Haveli UT
|North     = [[Gujarat]] State
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Maharashtra]] State
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Maharashtra]] State
|Southwest = [[Maharashtra]] State
|West      = 
|Northwest = 
}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Dadra and Nagar Haveli district
|North     = [[Valsad district]], Gujarat
|Northeast = 
|East      = 
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Palghar district]], Maharashtra
|Southwest = 
|West      = 
|Northwest = 
}}

{{Portuguese overseas empire}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dadra And Nagar Haveli}}
[[Category:Dadra and Nagar Haveli| ]]
[[Category:Former colonies in Asia]]
[[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]]
[[Category:Former countries in South Asia]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1961]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in India]]
[[Category:History of Dadra and Nagar Haveli]]
[[Category:India–Portugal relations]]
[[Category:Portuguese India]]
[[Category:Districts of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 2020]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 2020]]