Dhalai district

Dhalai ধলাই জেলা
District
Ricefields in Dhalai
India Flag
Tripura's eight districts
Coordinates: 23°56′N 91°51′E / 23.933°N 91.850°E / 23.933; 91.850Coordinates: 23°56′N 91°51′E / 23.933°N 91.850°E / 23.933; 91.850
Country	India
State	Tripura
Seat	Ambassa
Area
• Total	2,523 km2 (974 sq mi)
Elevation	84 m (276 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	307,868
• Density	120/km2 (320/sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
ISO 3166 code	IN-TR
Website	http://dhalai.gov.in/

Dhalai (Pron:/ˈdʰɔlai/) (Bengali: ধলাই জেলা) is an administrative district in the state of Tripura in India. The district headquarters are located at Ambassa. As of 2011 it is the least populous district of Tripura (out of 8), although it is the largest district in the State.^[1]

• Dhalai district on Google maps

History

Dhalai District was created in the year of 1995 by bifurcating North Tripura District and including part of Amarpur Sub-Division of the South Tripura District. It was created keeping in view the administrative exigency of providing development & good governance to the largely Tribal & inaccessible areas. The District is named after Dhalai river which originates in the District.

Geography

Located in the North-eastern part of Tripura, the District covers an area of about 2426 km². It is mainly located between two hills namely ‘Atharamura range’ and ‘Sakhan Range’. More than 70% area is hilly and forest covered. The terrain is mostly undulating and hilly with small water streams (chharas), rivers and fertile valleys intervening. Major rivers originating from Dhalai are Dhalai, Khowai, Gomati & Manu. Major hills are Atharamura, Longtharai, Kalajhari & part of Sakhan. The District headquarter at Ambassa is located at a distance of about 85 km from the State capital Agartala. The District is bordered by Bangladesh on the Northern & Southern sides. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is currently exploring for natural gas reserves in the district in Salema block. The district falls in Seismic Zone 5 of India and is prone to landslides, thunderstorms and lightning strikes in summer and rainy seasons.

Climate

The District has Tropical climate with hot & humid summers, a prolonged rainy season and warm winters. Rains are also frequent in months of March and April. Maximum temperatures in summers & winters are 36 degree & 28 degree Celsius respectively. The minimum temperatures in summers & winters are 17 degree & 5.3 degree Celsius respectively.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Dhalai district has a population of 377,988,^[1] roughly equal to the nation of Maldives.^[2] This gives it a ranking of 564th in India (out of a total of 640).^[1] The district has a population density of 157 inhabitants per square kilometre (410/sq mi) .^[1] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 22.78%.^[1] Dhalai has a sex ratio of 945 females for every 1000 males,^[1] and a literacy rate of 86.82%.^[1]

Parliamentary Constituency

Dhalai shares the Lok Sabha constituency of Tripura East (shared with North Tripura and South Tripura districts. Currently, the Member of Parliament of 16th Lok Sabha for this constituency is Sri Jitendra Chowdhury.^[3] The state of Tripura sends a single member for Rajya Sabha, currently Smt. Jharna Das Baidya.

Administrative Divisions

Governance

Administration

The district also has within it a Zone of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, headed by a Zonal Development Officer. The police department is headed by a Superintendent of Police. Sub-jails are located at Kamalpur and GandacherraThe Sub-divisions are headed by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Collector, who is in charge of revenue, elections, land records, birth and death registration, tribal welfare and law and order. At the R.D. Block, a Block Development Officer is administrative head who implements all the government development schemes in the villages like MGNREGS, Indira Awaas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan etc. At the village level, Rural Panchayat Secretary assists Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat in administration.

Publicly Elected Representatives under Panchayati Raj Institution There are two Municipal Councils at Ambassa and Kamalpur and 137 Gram Panchayats (under Government of Tripura) or Village Committees (under TTAADC) headed by a Chairperson. At the Rural Development (RD) Block level Block Advisory Committee and Panchayat Samiti headed by a Chairperson. Zilla Parishad is the apex institution at the District level headed by a Sabhadhipati.

Development Initiatives There are numerous development schemes and programmes which are implemented in the district. The notable among these are Indo-German Development Cooperation Project (IGDC),Integrated Watershed Management Project (IWMP), National Rural Livelihood Mission (State unit Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission),^[4] Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Border Area Development Programme (BADP), Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF),^[5] Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan (SCA to TSP), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Swachh Bharat Mission - Gramin - SBM(G)) (erstwhile Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan - NBA).

MGNREGA Road formation work at Ghantacherra, Ambassa block in 2014

Educational Institutions

The district administration claims 96.79% literacy, largely attributed to the primary schools built and running almost every habitation. However, according to Census 2011, the literacy rate was 86.82% in total, 92.45% for males and 80.83% for females creating gender gap of 11.62%. The primary school system, up to class 8 is mainly supported by the "Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan" programme of the Government of India. It is managed by both the State Government (Junior Basic schools in non ADC area and most of the Senior Basic and Higher Secondary schools in both ADC and non-ADC areas) and TTAADC (mainly the Junior Basic schools in ADC area).^[6] There are 24 English medium schools in Dhalai. There are four special schools, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, located at 82 Miles in Manu Block, and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya located at Gandacherra, Ganganagar and Hezacharra along with Kendriya Vidyalaya at Jawaharnagar, Ambassa. There are residential schools set up by various government and missionary organisations. Tripura Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TTWREIS) runs the Radhamohan Memorial Ashram School at Sadhu tilla, Ambassa. St. Arnold's Schools are located at Dalapatipara, Gandacherra and Lalchari, Ambassa. Holy Cross High School is located at Kathalcherra, Manu block. There is one Dhalai District Polytechnic, located at Kamalacherra, Ambassa,^[7] Industrial Training Institute located at Lalchari, Ambassa, Government Degree Colleges located at Kamalpur, Gandacherra and Chailengta.

Healthcare

Health check-up camp at Srinibash para, Dhalai, Tripura

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM, now National Health Mission, NHM)is being implemented in the district. The district has District Hospital at Kulai in Ambassa block, Subdivisional hospitals at Kamalpur, Gandacherra and Manu. In addition to them, various Primary Health Centers, Community Health Center and Health Sub-centers are located in the villages. Multi Purpose health Worker (MPW), Auxiliary Nurse and Midwives (ANM) and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) deliver healthcare services at village level. ^[8] Private practitioners of Allopathy and Homeopathy are also present in the district. Traditional health practitioners called "Uja/Uza" work with locally available medicinal plants and some rituals but the practise has declined greatly due to availability of modern healthcare. Sri Anand Kumar Chakma of Thakurcherra in Gandacherra region has claimed that he has medicinal cure for various types of Cancer and has extensive written documentation of various symptoms and cures. The district is located in humid and forest region and is highly prone to diseases like Malaria, Diarrhea and Japanese Encephalitis. In summer 2014, there was a large outbreak of Malaria across the district.^[9]

Security and Border Management

Having an international boundary with Bangladesh has led to deployment of Border Security Force battalions. The district also has other paramilitary units of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Assam Rifles and state government's Tripura State Rifles at various locations. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 was operational in the district when insurgency was rampant in the state. However, security units have successfully managed to reduce the insurgency in the region leading to step by step reduction in the area under operation of AFSPA, finally being lifted from entire state in May 2015.^[10] The 3rd Battalion of TSR is located at Kachucherra in Ambassa block. Units of this battalion are given the responsibility of security of railway track, security in Kathalbari-Sikaribari region among other. Outposts, camps of security forces are often located in forest areas which makes them vulnerable to Malaria due to high infestation of mosquitoes in the region.

Infrastructure

Transport

National Highway 44 runs from Guwahati-Shillong in the Northeast to Center and then to West towards Agartala. Work had begun but currently stopped for National Highway 44-A connecting Manu to Aizawl, Mizoram. The district has meter gauge rail connectivity on the Lumding-Agartala line with stations at Manu, Jawaharnagar and Ambassa. There is also an airstrip located at Kamalpur, currently non-functional. Tripura Road Transport Commission runs bus service from Ambassa to Agartala, Kamalpur, Gandacherra. Currently nearly 330 habitations out of total 1037, are not connected by any motorable road, about 95 of them being in the Gandacherra region. There are many individual private operators who run local transport services to block headquarters, villages and to Agartala. Private transport companies also run bus service from Ambassa to Shillong and Guwahati. Transport in the urban regions of Ambassa and Kamalpur are run by auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws. All the transport services are regulated by transport unions of drivers and owners. When militancy was rampant in the district and AFSPA was in force, travelling on the highway happened in batches with patrol squad of paramilitary forces on both ends of the motorcade. Although such procedures are stopped now, paramilitary forces still exercise foot patrolling of important roads in the district.

Electricity

Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited is the provider of grid connected electricity to the district. Unconnected habitations, border out posts (BOPs) are serviced by Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency by the means of Solar Photovoltaic system. There is very less load-shedding in town areas but long hours of load shedding is done for rural areas. The distribution network often gets disturbed due to storms and trees falling on distribution lines.

Drinking water

Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) wing of Public Works Department manages the drinking water supply in the district. Schools and Anganwadi Centers have been specifically targeted to improve drinking water supply as well as attendance to these institutions. Most of region suffers from the problem of excessive iron content in the ground water which necessitates installation of Iron Removal Plants (IRPs). 579 habitations still have partial coverage of drinking water supply and 16 habitations have reported drinking water quality problem. Water treatment plant is set up in Kulai near Ambassa. Most of the rural areas get drinking water from Deep Tube Wells, Handpumps, Ring Wells with few exceptions having Overhead Water Tanks. Many villages need drinking water supply by tanker in the dry season and 59 such distressed pockets have been identified. Private contractors and government run tankers supply such services. Many tribal inhabitations still use water from open streams and ponds for drinking and cooking along with washing utensils and clothes and bathing. Water borne disease Diarrhea is quite common due to mixing of human excreta into drinking water source in many villages. Packaged drinking water of brands "Tribeni", "Eco Freshh", "Blue Fina", "Life Drop" and "Aqua Zoom" among others is consumed in government offices, restaurants etc. Filters of many types and brands, in addition to locally manufactured ceramic type filters, are sold in the district although their acceptance in rural areas is less. Halogen tablets are distributed by the administration to reduce microbial content in water, which is sometimes consumed as a medicine directly in some areas or its use discontinued due to the smell it imparts to drinking water.

Sanitation

Situation of toilet built for Anganwadi in Chand Kumar para of Kathalbari in Ambassa block, Dhalai district, Tripura

Dhalai district has high incidence of open defecation, especially in the interior hilly and forest areas. The district has implemented Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan and currently the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and convergence with MGNREGS to address this problem, with commendable success in difficult areas like Kalyansing village in Gandacherra. Schools and Anganwadi Center are focussed to provide with urinals and latrines, separate for boys and girls aling with baby friendly toilets in Anganwadi Centers to inculcate the habit of using sanitary latrines in young age. However many toilets lie dysfuncational due to lack of maintenance and damage. Earlier schemes of providing plastic squatting plates, free of cost to people, has not produced results as most of them lie unused as many people cannot afford to construct a toilet. Open defecation has created problems of diarrhea and vulnerability to malaria.

Irrigation

Most of the agriculture is rainfed, barring the areas near to streams and rivers. Perennial irrigation is very minimal with only Manu barriage being a large structure for storing water. Numerous small check dams, ponds built by the local residents and by the government under many programmes and schemes are the source of water for irrigation and other purposes. Efforts are ongoing by the district administration to identify fallow land which can be brought under perennial irrigation by the means of small dams or borewells.

Telecommunication

The district has landline telephone services of BSNL although not in all the block. Cellular network service providers along with 2G serives for the most part and 3G in Ambassa and Kamalpur are- BSNL, Airtel, Aircel and Reliance, with some interior areas not covered by the service. The district is part of the Tripura State Wide Area Network (TSWAN)^[11] which is OFC supported system up to Block Development Officer and other important institutions. BSNL also provides Wi-Max and WLL services to some areas. The police department has its own wireless communication system. All India Radio has transmission tower at Sikaribari of Meter Wave (MW) range and partial coverage of FM range.

Economy

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Dhalai one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).^[12] It is the only district in Tripura currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).^[12] The district has predominantly agrarian economy with several Micro and Small scale industrial units.

Agriculture

Fodder cultivation in the kharif season

Villagers returning from MGNREGA work along a "Jhum" field in the hills near Ghantacherra, Ambassa block

Most of the district is dependent on rainfed farming although due to heavy rains in the monsoon and occurrence of rain in winter and summer makes sufficient supply of water. Irrigation ponds form another supply of water for agriculture. Irrigation system is constructed in Manu block by means of barriage.

Horticultural plantations include banana, pineapple, mango, litchi, jackfruit, papaya, betel nut, orange, lemon, and other fruit trees. North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) has Fruit Juice Concentration Plant (FJCP) at Nalkata since 1988, but inoperational since 2010. Several Tea estates are located in Manu, Chawmanu, Salema and Durgachowmuhani blocks, with a tea processing unit at Salema. Vegetables like tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, snake gourd, pumpkin, lady finger (okra), corn, cucumber, beans, potato, carrot, radish, bamboo shoot are grown in various parts of the district. Spice cultivation includes chilli pepper, coriander, ginger, turmeric, tamarind, garlic, onion etc.

Animal husbandry includes cow, pig, goat, duck and poultry rearing. Animal Resource Department has set up Pig Breeding Farm at Nalichera and Regional Exotic Pig Breeding Farm and Composite Livestock Farm for Goats at Nalkata.^[13] Fisheries form a prominent income activity with local production as well as fish imported from Andhra Pradesh sold in huge quantities, with Fisheries department setting up hatcheries at Gangacherra, Gandacherra and Karamcherra.^[14] Center for Microfinance and Livelihood Northeast, an organisation supported by Tata Trusts has planned for fisheries and dairy development in the district.

Industry

Micro and Small scale industrial units of latex processing, metal article fabrication, bakery, saw mill etc. exist in the district. There are numerous brick kilns operating across the district, including Ambassa, Gandacherra, Kulai, Salema, Chailengta to name a few. Tripura Industrial Development Corporation Limited has planned an "Integrated Infrastructure Development Centre" in Dhalai, but a site for it is yet to be selected.^[15] MSME Development Institute, Agartala has created a Brief Industrial Profile of Dhalai District in 2011-12 which lists the existing industrial units, potential areas of industrial development and steps to set up a new industrial unit in Dhalai.Tripura Bamboo Mission has set up Bamboo clusters for incense sticks, basketry and bamboo cultivation at Manu, Kamalpur, Ambassa, Salema and Ganganagar.

Services

Service sector units consist largely of small shops of grocery, vegetables, fish, meat, electrical and consumer appliances, mobile phones sale and talktime recharging, photocopying, internet cafés, photography, tailoring, salons, jewellery, vehicle repairing, books and stationary, garments etc. Coaching of computer operating, school subjects of Science, Mathematics and English including private home tutoring form another small part. In the banking sector, State Bank of India, Tripura Gramin Bank, Tripura State Cooperative Bank, United Bank of India, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Uco Bank, Canara Bank and ICICI Bank have their branches at various places in the district.

Religion

Hindus form a majority of the community by religion, although there are Buddhists (mostly Chakma and Mog communities), Christians and Muslims also in the district. Religious organisations in district are Ramakrishna Sevasadan, Baptist Church, St. Arnold's Mission etc.

Society and Culture

The major tribes inhabiting the region are Tripuri, Reang, Kuki (Halam/Darlong/Hrangkhawl), Koloi & Chakma. Reangs are one of the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) or Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) as classified by the Government of India. Jhum festival after harvesting season, Hojagiri of the Bru-Reangs, Bihu/Bizu of the Chakmas, Garia Puja are prominent fetivals celebrated. Bengali communities mostly reside in the plain region in the West and Northwestern region. Durga Puja, Ker Puja, Biswakarma Puja are their prominent festivals.

There are various NGOs operating in the district - Prabaha Dhalai (working in the sector of goat rearing and HIV/AIDS), Project Bharosa (working with schools and SHGs), National Foundation for Communal Harmony (assisting destitute children),^[16] "Prayaas" - Relief Committee for Disabled Persons, Action Research and Training Organisation at Manu to name a few. Tata Trusts funded Center for Microfinance and Livelihood has started Tripura State Initiative in Dhalai district in Fishery (Manu block) and Dairy (Salema block) sectors.

The District Sports Complex in Ambassa has two badminton courts, table tennis and carrom board, Gymnastics equipment and a regular training of Judo is ongoing. Currently there is no trained physical instructor appointed in the complex. Swimming pool facility is available at Kulai school. There are many playgrounds and stadia located including those at Gandacherra, Ambassa, East Kathalcherra and Kamalpur. A new Sports Complex is being constructed in Kekmacherra in Ambassa block. Yearly sports events organised by the State Sports Authority.

Tourist Destinations

Dumboor Lake

Dumboor Lake is a charming water body located in Gandacherra Sub Division about 70 km away from Ambassa. The look of the lake is like tabour shaped small drum, "Dumboor" of Lord Shiva from which the name "Dumboor" originates. A massive and breathtaking water body of 41 km². with an unending spell of luxuriant green vegetation all around stands majestic for her exceedingly charming beauty and 48 islands in the midst of the lake. The lake is the confluence of rivers Raima and Sarma. Various species of migratory birds are visible in the winter and it has rich reservoir of natural and cultured fishes. In one of the island "Narkel Kunja" or a coconut island has been developed.

Dumboor lake of the Gandacherra region in Dhalai district of Tripura, India

Water Falls of Setrai

The climate in Setrai, which is about 40 km away from Ambassa, displays characteristics that are typical of the hilly and mountainous region. The change in the topographical features, heavy rainfall and altitude of the region also causes a change in the climatic conditions in Setrai. The seasonal rhythm and hilly view casts a mesmerizing charm on the visitors. The climate along with the other factors of the terrain and the soil are suitable conditions for horticulture in this village. Waterfalls at Sanaiya Reang Para under this VC add to the beauty of the surroundings. Six projects under BADP and MGNREGA have been taken up for construction of RCC step, RCC footbridge, Car parking place etc. near the waterfalls.

Picturesque Setrai Waterfall in Dhalai district

Longtharai Mandir

Longtharai is the name of Lord Shiva in Kokborok language, according to the Tribal dialect of Tripura. There is a myth which says that Shiva on his return from Kailash rested here for sometime in the hill of Longtharai. The hill is therefore known as Longtharai. Longtharai also means a Deep Valley. This temple is also one of the most popular tourist spot of the Dhalai District, located about 7 km from Ambassa at Srinibash Para in Kathalbari VC. There is another Longtharai Mandir at Kumardhan Para of Balaram VC, located on a hill top at 1330 feet height, which can be reached after a short trek. The place offers a great view of the surrounding area. There is annual mela organised by the devotess at both the temples on the occasion of Shiv Ratri.

Kamaleswari Mandir

The temple is situated in the Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat of the Dhalai District. This Temple is located in the center of the town and a major pilgrimage spot. Kamaleswari is another name of Goddess Kali. Kamalpur the largest Sub-divisional Town has been named after the temple. Kamaleswari Mandir is about 35 km away from Ambassa,District H.Q of Dhalai and 122 km from Agartala the State capital of Tripura.

Manu Eco Park

This is a forest park developed by Forest Department. It has a nice walking path and wooden huts to rest. It has a great view of a nearby river with variety of flowering plants and large trees.

Plantations at Kathalcherra, Manu block

East and West Kathalcherra villages of Manu block have systematic and extensive plantations of rubber, banana, pineapple, mango, litchi, jackfruit, orange, lemon and other fruit trees along with big water bodies created for irrigation and fisheries.

Achievements and Special Mentions

Dhalai was one of the first districts to implement MGNREGS and Aadhaar enrolment. For the financial year 2014-15, the District was the highest in the country in generating average person-days, at 99, of wage labour generated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005. The 35th Shodh Yatra was organised at Gandacherra in the district from 13 May to 18 May 2015.^[17]

References

1. *District Profile Of Dhalai - Prepared by Dr. Shailesh K Yadav, IAS

2. *Report to Chairperson of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Government of India, Prepared by Sri Subhasis Das, TCS, Gr. I

External links

• Official website of Dhalai district
• List of places in Dhalai
• Official website of the Government of Tripura
• Official website of Dhalai District Polytechnic
• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dhalai
• Official website of the Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council

		Bangladesh	Unakoti District
	Khowai District		North Tripura district
		Dhalai district
	Gomati district	Bangladesh

State of Tripura
Capital: Agartala
Topics	History Twipra Kingdom Tripura (princely state) Manikya Dynasty Kings Politics Education Healthcare Highest point
Government	Legislative Assembly Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Governors Chief Ministers Tripura Police
Districts	Dhalai Gomati Khowai North Tripura Sepahijala South Tripura Unakoti West Tripura
Cities and towns	Amarpur, Tripura Dhalai Khowai Teliamura Unakoti
Culture	Cuisine Dance Dress Languages Kokborok language Kokborok literature Music Musical instruments Tripuri calendar (Tring)