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Research Areas

Chapter III - Profile of the Area & People Under Study

The profile of the area and people under study for the two sample districts of Himachal Pradesh selected for this study, namely Una and Kangra is discussed in this chapter.

Una

The present Una district until 1st November,1966 was one of the tehsil of the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. Consequent upon reorganization of Punjab all the hill areas including Una tehsil was transferred to Himachal Pradesh. Ever since, until September, 1972 it continued to remain as tehsil of the then Kangra district. On the 1st September, 1972 the Himachal Pradesh Govt. reorganised the then Kangra district into three districts namely Una, Hamirpur and Kangra. Una district consists of two Sub-Divisions(Una and Amb), three Tehsils (Bangana, Amb and Una) and two Sub-Tehsils (Haroli and Bharwain) and is having five Development Blocks (Una, Bangana, Gagret, Amb and Haroli).

Situated in the east of outer Shivaliks, Una is in the south-western part of Himachal Pradesh. Bounded by Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh in the North, East and South respectively and by Hoshiarpur district of Punjab in the West, Una lies within North latitude 31017'52" and 31052'0" and East longitude 75058'2" and 76028'25".

Una district covers an area of 1549 sq. kms. in Himalayan foothill zone bounded by plains of Punjab in the west and Solah Singhi Dhar in the east. In the western part also there is a hill range whose maximum height is about 600 mtrs. The ranges tread in a general North West-South East direction and the area between these is a longitudinal valley of the Swan river. The altitudes vary from more than 350 mtrs. to over 1200 mtrs. on the Solah Singhi Dhar. The highest point Bharwain in the first range of hills is 2018 feet. The elevation of the town of Una in the Jaswan Dun, is 1404 feet above the sea level, and may be taken as the mean level of the valley. The breadth of Jaswan Dun Valley ranges from 7 Kms. to 14 Kms. The fort of Solah Singhi which stands on one of the highest points of the west range (3821 feet), is 3896 feet high.

Population

The total Population of District Una is around 4.5 lakhs as depicted in the following table:

General Parameters
Population (As per 2001 Census) 4,47,967
Male 2,24,299
Female 2,23,668
Rural 4,08,545
Urban 39,422
Sex Ratio 997/1000 Female/Male
Density of Population 291 Persons/Sq. Kilometers

People

Una has a mix of Pahari people with Hindu and Sikh being the major religions. The greater part of the District is inhabited by Brahmins, Rajputs, Jats, Sainis and Bahtis. The Brahmins and Rajputs namely dwell on landed property. The majority of Khatris in the district are engaged in money lending and trade but for the residential houses very few have landed property e.g.; agricultural land. There are Sikh Khatris as well as the Hindu Khatris in the district. The sprinkling of other castes in the district are Ghiraths, Chhangs, Lobanas and Muhammadons etc.

People & Culture  
Major Religions Hindu & Sikh
Languages Spoken Pahari(Unnabi), Panjabi, Hindi
Culture Mixed(Panjabi & Pahari)
Traditions Mixed(Panjabi & Pahari)
Economy Agriculture based

Literacy is quiet high as compared to the average Indian literacy rate.

Literacy Rate 81.09%
Male Literacy 88.49%
Female Literacy 73.85%

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Geographical Area (As per 1999-00 Report) 1549 Sq.Kms
Forest Area 185 Sq.Kms.
Cultivated Area 430 Sq.Kms.
Barren & Un cultivable Lands 226.7 Sq.Kms.
Land put to Non-Agri. Uses 294 Sq.Kms.
Permanent Pastures & Other Grass Lands 129.4 Sq.Kms.
Land Under Misc. Tree, Crops and Groves 55.4 Sq.Kms.
Irrigated Area 78.4 Sq.Kms.
Altitude 350 meters to 1200 meters
Longitude 75058'2" - 76028'25"(East)
Latitude 31017'52" - 31052'0"(North)

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Sources of Water & Irrigation (As per 1999-00 Report)
Tubewells 1131
Wells used for Irrigation 185
Well used for Domestic Purposes 1062
Kuhls in Use 129
Lift Irrigation Schemes 29
Major Rivers (A seasonal river) Swan River

Crops As per 1999-00 Report, Area (Sq.Kms)

Food Crops 651.6
1. Rice 26.8
2. Maize 295.2
3. Wheat 321
4. Gram 2
5. Green Gram(Moong) 0.05
6. Black Gram or Urd(Mash) 6.20
7. Peas 0.03
8. Horse Gram(Kulth) 0.25
9. Masur 0.11
Sugarcane 6.02
Vegetables 9.77
1. Potatoes 6.13
2. Peas 0.23
3. Onion 0.70
4. Tomatoes 0.07
5. Cabbage & Cauli Flower 0.74
6. Turnip 0.03
7. Radish 0.06
8. Carrot 0.04
9. Brinjal 0.21

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Condiments & Spices 0.51
1. Chillies 0.09
2. Ginger 0.13
3. Turmeric 0.07
4. Garlic 0.16
Non-Food Crops 40.51
Fibre 0.17
1. Hemp 0.17
Oil Seeds 21.92
1. Groundnut 0.10
2. Taramira 4.66
3. Sesamum 7.09
4. Rape(Toriya) Seeds 0.06
5. Mustard 10.01
Fodder Crops 18.42
1. Barseem & Lucrene 5.42
2. Chari 10.98
3. Bazra 2.02
   
   

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Climate Winter Summer Rainy
Period Oct.-Mid March Mid March-June July-Sept.
Weather Cool Hot Humid
Humidity 84% 55% 98%
Temperature Max. 33.0c 45.5c 35.0c
Min. -3.5c 8.0c 14.0c
Rainfall Max. 82.0mm 69.0mm 175.0mm
  Min. 1.0mm 1.0mm 1.0mm

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Distances From State Capital Shimla -
Nearest Railway Station Una 240 Kms
Nearest Airport Chandigarh 120 Kms

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Administrative Setup -
No. of Sub-Divisions 2 [Una & Amb]
No. of Tehsils 3 [Una, Amb & Bangana]
No. of Sub-Tehsils 2 [Haroli & Bharwain]
Development Blocks 5 [Una, Amb, Gagret, Dhundla(Bangana) & Haroli]
Panchayats 219
Backward Panchayats 3 [Ambehra Dheeraj,Plahata,Sihana]-All under Bangana Block
Villages 866
Panchayat Samiti 5 [Una, Amb, Gagret Dhundla(Bangana) & Haroli]
Zila Parishad 1
Local Urban Bodies 5 [Municipal Committee Una, Nagar Panchyat(NP) Mehatpur, NP Santoshgarh, NP Daultpur Chowk]
Assembly Segments 5 [Una, Santoshgarh, Gagret, Kutlehar, Chintpurni]
Parliamentary Constituency 1 [Hamirpur]
BPL Families 15,429

Statistical Profile of District Una

Sr.No. INDICATOR (Census –2001) NUMBER
1 Area ( In Sq.Kms.) 1540
2 Population  
  Total 447967
  Males 224299
  Females 223668
  Rural 408545
  Urban 39422
3 % Age of Rural Population 91.20
4 %Age of Urban Population 8.80
5 % Age of State Population 7.38
6 Decennial Growth Rate + 18.43
7 Sex – Ratio ( Females per 1000 Males) 997
8 Density of Population 291
9 Literacy Rate ( %age)  
  Combined 81.09
  Males 88.49
  Females 73.85
10 Number of Towns 5
11 Number of Constituencies 5
12 Number of CD Blocks 5
13 Number of Inhabited villages 552
14 Number of Gram Panchayats 219
15 Number of Tehsils 3
16 Number of Sub-Tehsils 2
17 Number of Sub- Divisions 2
18 Couple Protection Rate as on 31-3-2003 41.68
19 Number of Medical Institutions as on 31-3-2003  
  General Hospitals 2
  Community Health Centers Total 4
  Community Health Centres Grade –I 2
  Community Health Centres Grade -II 2
  Primary Health Centres Total 20
  Primary Health Centres Grade- I 14
  Primary Health Centres Grade- II 6
  Civil Dispensaries /ESI Disp. 1
  Sub- Centres 131
  Number of Beds Sanctioned 369
20 Mid –Year Estimated Population as on30-6-2003 487238
  Mid –Year Estimated Population as on30-6-2004 475497
  Mid –Year Estimated Population as on30-6-2005 483756

Kangra

Altitude  Between 1,250 and 1,982 meters. 
Temperature  Maximum 38 degree Celsius in June; minimum 0 degree C. in January. 
Annual Rainfall  Varies between 290 and 380cm. Monsoon season is July to September. 

Kangra valley is the most beautiful valley of Himachal Pradesh with varying climate, flora and fauna. District Kangra is located on the southwestern end of the State and its area extends from low foothills to high wet temperate region through midhills subhumid zone. Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh is situated in Western Himalayas between 310 2 to 320 5 N and 750 to 770 45 E. The district has a geographical area of 5,739 km2 which constitutes 10.31 per cent of geographical area of the State and supports 11,74,072 human beings, 9,18,468 animals and varying species of flora and fauna. The population has increased to the tune of 18.50 to 23.70 per cent. Kangra district constitutes more than 22 per cent of total population of the State and is having 14 blocks. About 95 per cent of total population is rural and subsistent. An undue pressure on land beyond its carrying capacity is an issue of major concern.

Kangra valley located in the Northern part of Himachal Pradesh under the shadow of mighty Dhauladhar range of mountains, Dharamshala town over looks the Kangra valley. It is, located at Latitude 320 15' 42" North and Longitude 760 22' 46" of the Himalayan ranges. Geographically, the Dhauladhar range separates Kullu & Mandi Districts of the state at one end and Chamba and Kangra District at the other.

Dharamshala is one of the biggest towns as well as district headquarters of Kangra valley. Lying 526-km northwest of New Delhi, Dharamshala is the headquarters of the Kangra District in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In 1855, Dharamshala had only two major areas where civilians settled in : McLeod Ganj, named after Lieutenant Governor of Punjab "David McLeod", and Forsyth Ganj, named after a Divisional Commissioner.

Viewed from Dhauladhar top, the hills below look like ripples on the surface of the sea. One sees an uninterrupted chain of mountains with Kangra Valley spread out at its base. Seen from the Kangra town, the Dhauladhar rises abruptly from the valley reaching 4800 mts. above the sea level. This makes ascending and descending on both sides of the mountain range extremely tough and cumbersome. While the top of the Dhauladhar Mountain is barren, its flanks after a certain height, have many villages, inhabited by the Gaddis, who rear and trade in sheep, besides engaging themselves in farming.

In 1959, the government of India decided to grant political asylum to the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatsho,. In 1960, he was allowed to make McLeod Ganj his headquarters. After his arrival, trade, commerce and tourism picked up afresh. This is because with the Dalai Lama came thousands of Tibetan refugees, who gradually settled in Mcleod Ganj.

During the last three decades, The Tibetans have built many religious, educational and cultural institutions in and around McLeod Ganj, which has helped in preservation of their culture. This has been a keen area of interest for the people around the world and as a result they flock at Dharamshala at various times.

From administrative point of view the district Kangra has been divided into eight sub-Divisions viz., Dharamsala, Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra, Nurpur, Jawali, Dehra and Jaisinghpur; and from development point of view the district stands divided in fourteen developmental blocks, viz. Baijnath, Bhawarna, Lambagaon, Panchrukhi, Kangra, Nagrota Bagwan, Rait, Dehra, Pragpur, Nagrota Surian, Nurpur, Indora, Fatehpur and Sulah at Bhedoo Mahadev. The district with respect to revenue control has been divided into fifteen Tehsils and three sub-Tehsils. There are 708 Gram Panchayats, 3869 villages and eight towns, viz. Kangra, Nagrota Bagwan, Nurpur, Dharamsala, Palampur, Dehragopipur, Jawalamukhi and Yol.

The district has varying altitude ranging from 427 to 6401m above mean sea level, with some plain areas touching Gurdaspur district of Punjab in the West and Una district of H.P. in the South. In the East it touches Mandi district, in North with Kullu and Chamba. The district has considerable diversity in its soils, physiography, land use pattern and cropping system. On the basis of these, the district has further been divided into five-sub -situations i.e. Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Kangra Shiwalik, Kangra Valley and Bias Basin. The agro-ecological situation varies from sub-tropical to wet / dry temperate regions. The monsoon rains are heavy and well distributed and 70 per cent of the total annual rainfall is received from July- September. The high hills of Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal receive heavy snow in winter. Summers are hot in low hill valley areas but mild in other hilly areas. More than 90 per cent of total population directly or indirectly depends upon agriculture for their livelihood.

Physiography

Kangra district comprises of four distinct regions viz. High hills Wet sub temperate region, Valley region, Chanital region and Shiwalik foot-hill region, based on topography, precipitation, irrigation facilities, soil and temperature etc. Bara Bhangal and Chhota Bhangal area in Pir Panjal ranges constitute the wet sub-temperate hilly region which initiates from the inter district boundaries of Kullu, Chamba and Mandi on the northern most end of the district. Valley region of Kangra district comprises of three-valley areas viz. Palam, Kangra and Nurpur. Palam valley includes areas enclosed within the boundary starting from Ghatta- Baijnath-Chobu-Chobin-Agojar-Maniara-Parha-Dheera-Ghanetta-Gujrehar-Darang-Jia-Bandla-Kandwari-Uttrala-Deol and Ghatta. Kangra valley includes area surrounded by Malan-Barsar-Dahd-Yol. Cantt-Khanyara-Ghro-Rehlu-Bhanala-Draman-Dobh-Tiara-Samirpur-Kangra- Sadarpur-Massal-Malan village boundaries. Nurpur valley located in the southwestern foothills touches Punjab. The area abounds Bodh-Nagawari-Hagwal-Kandrori-Thakurdwara-Ray-Sathana-Jakhara-Jawali-Luv-Jonta-Bodh. Changar region of the district comprises of the areas falling between these valleys extending upto Bias Basin. Kangra Shiwalik foothill region includes area of Pragpur block starting from Dhaliara and passing through Sansarpur Terrace-Kaswa Kotla-Bharwain-Chalali-Pirsaluhi-Chamukha-Kuhna- Sunehet-Dadaseeba-Sansarpur Terrace.

Agro-ecological Zones

Sub-mountain and low-hills sub-tropical zone

The area in this zone lies below 650m altitudes above mean sea level. The soils of this zone are shallow, light-textured and low in fertility. These are neutral in reaction with pH ranging from 6.5 to7.5. The soils are quite productive. The average rainfall is 1110 mm, of which 80 per cent is received during the rainy season i.e. July to September. Rainfed farming is mostly practiced in this zone. The important crops grown are wheat, maize, paddy, pulses and oilseeds. Citrus, mango and litchi constitute important fruit crops in this zone. The zone is characterized by three types of vegetation, viz., (i) northern dry mixed deciduous forests, (ii) dry deciduous shrubs and (iii) Shiwalik chir pine forests. Soil and water conservation are important problems of the zone. Cows and buffaloes are the main domestic animals.

Statistical Profile of Kangra District

Sl.No. INDICATORS (Census –2001) NUMBER
1 Area ( In Sq.Kms.) 5739
2 Population  
  Total 1338536
  Males 660224
  Females 678312
  Rural 1266362
  Urban 72174
3 % Age of Rural Population 94.61
4 %Age of Urban Population 5.39
5 % Age of State Population 22.05
6 Decennial Growth Rate + 14.01
7 Sex – Ratio ( Females per 1000 Males) 1027
8 Density of Population 233
9 Literacy Rate ( %age)  
  Combined 80.68
  Males 88.19
  Females 73.57
10 Number of Towns 9
11 Number of Constituencies 16
12 Number of CD Blocks 14
13 Number of Inhabited villages 3620
14 Number of Gram Panchayats 732
15 Number of Tahsils 14
16 Number of Sub-Tahsils 5
17 Number of Sub- Divisions 8
18 Couple Protection Rate 42.55
19 Number of Medical Institutions as on 31-3-2003  
  General Hospitals 8
  Community Health Centres Total 13
  Community Health Centres Grade –I 5
  Community Health Centres Grade -II 8
  Primary Health Centres Total 78
  Primary Health Centres Grade- I 66
  Primary Health Centres Grade- II 12
  Civil Dispensaries / ESI Disp. 2
  Sub- Centres 434
  Number of Beds Sanctioned 1537
20 Mid –Year Estimated Population as on 30-6-2003 1382371
  Mid –Year Estimated Population as on 30-6-2004 1401157
  Mid –Year Estimated Population as on 30-6-2005 1419943
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