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Contents 1.0 DISTRICT AT A GLANCE ..................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4
3.0 GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING ................................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Introduction: ................................................................................................................................ 4
4.0 LOCATION AND GEOLOGY ................................................................................................................ 4
4.1 LOCATION:- ...................................................................................................................................... 4
4.2 GEOLOGY:-................................................................................................................................... 6
5.0 PHYSICAL SETTING OF THE REGION: ................................................................................................ 6
5.1 RELIEF: ...................................................................................................................................... 7
A. Central area ............................................................................................................................. 7
6.0 DRAINAGE: ....................................................................................................................................... 8
6.1 A. ................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.1.1 Sonhira Odha:- ..................................................................................................................... 9
6.1.2 Kapur Nala:- ........................................................................................................................... 9
6.2 B. Agrani River :- ...................................................................................................................... 9
6.3 C. Krishna River:- .......................................................................................................................... 9
6.4 D. Warana:- .................................................................................................................................. 9
7.0 CLIMATE ......................................................................................................................................... 11
7.1 A. South – west monsoon season (June to September) :- ......................................................... 11
7.2 B. Post –monsoon period:- .................................................................................................... 12
7.3 C. Cold Weather Season:- ............................................................................................. 12
7.4 D. Hot Weather Season:- ............................................................................................... 13
8.0 Rainfall : .......................................................................................................................................... 13
8.1 General distribution of rainfall:- ................................................................................................ 13
8.2 Seasonal Distribution of Rainfall:- .............................................................................................. 13
8.3 Rainy days and Rainfall:- ........................................................................................................... 14
9.0 SOILS:- ........................................................................................................................................ 15
9.1 A. COARSE SHALLOW SOILS: ............................................................................................. 16
9.2 B. MEDIUM BLACK SOILS:- ................................................................................................. 16
9.3 C. DEEP BLACK SOILS:- ........................................................................................................ 16
10.0 NATURAL VEGETATION:- .............................................................................................................. 17
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1.0 DISTRICT AT A GLANCE
Geographical location : North Latiitudes 16.4 to 17.1
East Longitude 73.43 to 75.00 Rainfall : 400-450 mm ( Average )
Geographical Area :
8601.5 Sq. Kilometer.
Tahasil's -( 10) : 1. Miraj 2. Tasgaon 3. Kavathe
Mahankal 4. Jath 5. Khanapur(Vita)
6. Palus7.Atpadi 8. Walwa 9. Kadegaon 10. Shirala
Gram Panchayat : 705 Mahanagar Palika (1)
: Sangli-Miraj and Kupwad city
Corporation
Nagar Palika (4) : 1.Vita 2. Ashta
3.Tasgaon 4. Islampur
AGRICULTURE DETAILS
Major Crops : Bajra, Jowar, Wheat, Rice
Gram, Sugarcane, Groundnut,
Termeric
Soybean, Pomogranate, Grapes
Annual Crop : Sugarcane
Area under cultivation : Irrigated - 1,20,302 Hector
IRRIGATION
Major Projects : 1
Medium Projects : 5
Krishna Khore : - There are 1 Major , 5 Medium and 54 minor
projects ( total - 60 ) are in progress by Krishna Valley Development Corporation.
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TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION
Total Railway track : 173.70 KM
Broadguage : 81.1 KM
Villages Conn by roads : 2272 KM
National Highway : 30 KM
State Highway : 921 KM
Dist. Roads : 1,983 KM
Population Taluka wise at the 2011 Census
Shirala : 162,911
Walwa : 456,002
Palus : 164,909
Kadegaon : 143,019
Khanapur (Vita) : 170,214
Atpadi : 138,455
Tasgaon : 251,401
Miraj : 854,581
Kavathemahankal : 152,327
Jat : 328,324
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2.0 Introduction Sangli district is located in the western part of Maharashtra. It is bounded by Satara,
Solapur districts to the north, Vijapur district to the east, Kolhapur and Belgum districts to the
south and Ratnagiri district to the west.
Sangli district is situated in the river basins of the Warna and Krishna river. The
physical settings of Sangli district shows a contrast of immense dimensions and reveals a
variety of landscapes influenced by relief, climate and vegetation. The climate ranges from the
rainiest in the Chandoli (Shirala) region, which has an average annual all of over 4000 mm to
the driest in Atpadi and Jath tehsils where the average annual rainfall is about 500 mm. The
vegetal cover too varies from the typical monsoon forest in the western parts to scrub and poor
grass in the eastern parts
3.0 GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING
3.1 Introduction: The Sangli district is situated in the Southern part of Maharashtra and is a part of Deccan
plateau. It is endowed with the gift of fertile black soils in the central parts. The rainfall
decreases from west to east. The eastern part of Sangli district has a scanty drought prone belt
of the state. Thus there are regional disparities.
The central part of Sangli district is cultivable area. The eastern part include Jat,
Kavathe-Mahankal tahsils are drought prone area and has insignificant irrigation facilities. The
northern part of Sangli district also rain shadow area. There is always acute shortage of
drinking water.
The Sangli district consists of Ten tahsils, namely district Walwa, Shirala, Atpadi,
Khanapur, Tasgaon, Miraj, Jat, Kavathe Mahankal, Kadegaon and Palus. Topographically the
region has large diversified surface. Climatically the region falls under the rainshadow region
of Sahyadri Mountain. Temperature increases from west to east and rainfall decreases from
west to east. Climatically, the region shows four seasons, namely monsoon, post-monsoon,
cold season and hot season. The region is drained by Krishna and its tributaries as Yerala and
Agrani.
4.0 LOCATION AND GEOLOGY
4.1 LOCATION:- The Sangli Disrict is one of the most district of Mharashtra state.It is sistuted between
the latitudes 16º45’ N and 17º33’ N and longitudinal of 73º41’East and 75º41’East. The district
is bounded by Satara district on the North western side. Southern is boarded by Belgam and
Bijapur district of Karnataa Sate.At the Centers and East Kolhapur district and the Ratnagiri
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district lies on West of Sangli district.The total area of the district According to 1991 cencs
about 8601.5 Sq.km. According to 2001 cences the population is 2581835 Lakh and the
literacy rate is about 76.6%.The district is divided in to Five Administrative sub division
mainly Khanapur, Walwa, Miraj, Tasgon, Palus. The Shirala and Walwa Talua was included
in Walwa Sub Division. The Miraj Sub division Comprises of Jath,Kavthe Mhanal and
Miraj.The khanapur Sub division includes Atpadi and Khanapur and Palus Sub Division
Include Kadegaon and Palus.
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4.2 GEOLOGY:- The Deccan traps, which cover almost major portion of Maharashtra state, were
erupted as horizontal lava sheets during the Cretaceous - Eocene times and are supposed to
have welled out from the long and the narrow fissures in the earth crust. These formations are
termed ‘traps’ because of their step like terraced appearance, a characteristic and a common
feature in the scenery of the Traps Deccan. The chief varieties of the Traps are hard, compact
Basalt and vesicular Traps.
The Sangli district is a part of Deccan plateau. Basalt is the main rock in the
Sangli district. The geological formation of Sangli district is only the Deccan trap. The Deccan
lava flows are found usually in the form of horizontally bedded sheets. They are more or less
uniform in composition corresponding to basalt. These are dark gray or greenish gray in colour.
Some parts of the Sangli district particularly the river valley are occupied by the
typical black soil. These soils are formed from the Deccan trap. The black soil contains high
alumina and carbonates of calcium and magnesium with variable amount of potash, low
nitrogen and phosphorous.
The deposits of calcium carbonate are found in the form of ‘kankar’ in the
eastern part of Miraj taluka. The hill in the region contains hard besalt rock, which is found in
beds of river Yerala. The river beds are main source of sand for construction.
5.0 PHYSICAL SETTING OF THE REGION: The terrain of any region throws a powerful illumination on the land use, the growth
and distribution of population and settlement. Relief features are the product of geological
formation of the region. It exercises a direct influence on land use, cropping pattern,
particularly through elevation and slope.
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In the Sangli district, there are two main systems of hills. Viz. Sahyadri range and its
offshoots, and the spur of Mahadev range. The Machhindragad – Kamal Bhairav hill range
extend in North West–southeast direction. This range is offshoot of Mahadev range, which
runs along the borders of Tasgaon and Khanapur tahsils. An offshoot of this range in the form
of Aundh hills in Satara district separates the catchments of river Krishna and river Yerala.
The main range continues further south-eastward and separates the Man River.
5.1 RELIEF:
The region is a part of Deccan plateau. The topography of the Sangli district becomes
uneven. The general slope of the land is from north to south and south-east. There is Mahadev
range and its offshoots. The relief divisions of the region are as below.
a. Central area.
b. South-eastern area.
A. Central area:
It includes Khanapur taluka. This region comprises the part of Khanapur
plateau of Deccan tableland. In this, the western hilly area includes DongaraiTadasar ranges
and Apsinge-Nerli ranges continue to the western part of Khanapur tahsil and Kadegaon tahsil.
They run in west-east direction. Figure No.
The eastern hilly ranges are spread in northwest to southeast direction. They
are named as Solkai Dongar, Renavi Dongar, Dargoba shukracharya Dongar etc. The plateau
region comprises mainly western part of Khanapur tahsil.
B. South-eastern area:
The Dandoba range is comprises in the north of Miraj tahsil. The Dandoba range is
water divider of Agrani and Krishna River. The general nature of the range is featured by the
occurances of alternate spurs and small valleys. The altitude foot hill ranges from 600 to 900m.
Presenting undulated topography.
In the eastern part of this area includes Kavathe Mahankal tahsil and some part of the
Jat tahsil. There are local hills spread over these areas towards east-west and south to east -
west. The land on the hills is more or less heightened; normally these hills are covered with
jungle grass.
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6.0 DRAINAGE: Water resources emerge from nature’s gift of rain, wells, rivers, lakes and streams.
Irrigation water i.e. dams, canals are important and assured source for agriculture.
Availability potable drinking water is also equally important today.
In the Sangli district, the river Krishna, Yerala and Warana and its tributaries make
the region fertile. River Krishna flows the south- western border of the region and also
makes the region fertile.
6.1 A. Yerala River:
The Yerala, the largest river of the left bank of the northern feeders of the Krishna rises
in Solkanath hills in the extreme north of Khatav. It flows north to south in a valley flanked by
the Vardhangad - Machhindragad range on the right or west and by the Mahimangad – Panhala
range on the left or east. It flows 90 kms in Tasgoan and Miraj tahsil joins the Krishna near the
Bramhnal. The east bank tributaries of the Yerala are generally longer though somewhat drier
than those of the west.
The important west bank tributary of the Yerala is Nani River. It has parallel to the
Vardhangad – Machhindragad range and is joined by several small tributaries which drain the
eastern slopes of that range, the chief of which is Mahadev Odha. Half a mile below the
junction of the latter, the Nani has been dammed at Chikhli and the chikhli canal taking off
from it on the western bank of the river affords some limited irrigation facilities between it and
the river.
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6.1.1 Sonhira Odha:-
The Sonhira Odha is another west bank tributary of the Yerala flowing eastwards on
the northern side of the Kamal Bhairav mountain into the Yerala.
6.1.2 Kapur Nala:-
It is most importance because it has a good subterranean flow of water under the sands
even in the dry season. Oil pumps installed on wells on its banks tap this subterranean flow
and regular crops of sugarcane, plantain and chilli are raised. At Tasgaon there are even
coconut and chilli gardens on the banks of this stream.
6.2 B. Agrani River :-
The Agrani River is second most important river in the Sangli district. The origin of
the river begins from the temple of Agasthi Hrushi near village Ainwadi (Venapur) in Khanapur
tahsil. After flowing about 32.18 km. in a southward direction, river turns towards the south –
east. The river has narrow valley bottom.
There are number of small a tributaries which joins the river Agrani. One important
tributary of the Agrani River rises on the plateau some 3.21 km. above Kundlapur and flows
due southwards passing by Kuchi and Kavathe Mahankal before joining the Agrani.
6.3 C. Krishna River:-
River Krishna is a main source of supply of water for drinking, industries and
irrigation. It flows south – western border of the Sangli district especially Walwa and Miraj
talukas. Yerala joins the Krishna river by border the Sangli district but Agrani joins it just
outside. The Krishna valley of the Sangli district is the most fertile.
6.4 D. Warana:-
The Western Part of Sangli district is Bordard by Warana Rivar. The Warana River
Origian in the Sahyandri range.
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7.0 CLIMATE:
Climatically, this region falls under the great monsoon and associated with the
rainshadow region of the Sahyadri Mountain.The character of monsoon with four months of
rainy season followed by eight months of relatively dry period of winter and summer. The
annual climate cycle consists of the region has four season.
A. South – west monsoon season–June to September.
B. Post – monsoon season-October to mid December.
C. Cold weather season–Mid December to February.
D. Hot weather season–March to May.
7.1 A. South – west monsoon season (June to September) :- June to September is a south–west monsoon period. About 85 per cent of the total
rainfall of the region occurs during this period. The average annual rainfall in the Yerala region
is 559mm and in the Agrani region is 470mm.In general the rainfall decreases from west to
east. In part of Miraj tahsil the climate is pleasant.
The air is highly humid in the four southwest monsoon months, while in other months it is
dry. The winds are strong, particularly on the hills, in south west monsoon season. In the rest
of the year, they are light moderate. The maximum temperature of May is 420c and minimum
temperature of January is
7.50c in Yerala region. And the maximum temperature is 420c and minimum temperature is
60c in Agrani region.
Table
Average rainfall in Sangli District
Sr.No Tahsil Rainfall (in mm.) %
1 Walwa 692.7 12.1
2 Shirala 1019.0 18.0
3 Khanapur 543.4 9.5
4 Kadegaon N.A. -
5 Palus 619.3 11.0
6 Tasgaon 616.9 10.85
7 Miraij 643.4 11.31
8 Kavathe Mahanakal 529.7 9.31
9 Jat 553.2 9.7
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10 Atpadi 468.1 8.2
Total 5685.1 100
Source – Socio-Economic Abstract 2007-08
Rainfall in Sangli District (mm)
Fig-
7.2 B. Post –monsoon period:- October to mid December is a post – monsoon period. The south – west monsoon
withdraws from the region by first half of October. But sometimes rainfall occurs with thunder
showers in this period. October marks the transition from rainy season to winter. There is a
sudden change in temperature that produces a familiar phenomenon of ‘October Heat’ and
there is a certain amount of precipitation accompanied by thunderstorms. Wind, during this
period, all over the region is generally light to moderate.
7.3 C. Cold Weather Season:-
Mid December to February is cold weather period. It is the period of cool and bracing
climate. During the season fine weather prevails with strong dry easterly winds. Sometimes
local inversion of temperature takes place during the early morning hours. December is the
coldest month. In this month the mean daily maximum temperature is 28.90c. While the mean
daily minimum temperature is 14.30c.The range of temperature is 14.60c. The minimum
temperature may sometimes go below 70c.
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
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7.4 D. Hot Weather Season:-
March to May is hot weather period. May is the hottest month. The mean daily
maximum temperature is 37.10c and the mean daily minimum temperature is 20.80c. The
range of temperature is 8.30c. The heat is intense and the maximum temperature may
sometimes go up to 420c. Afternoon thundershowers bring welcome relief from the heat on
some days. This season is of low humidity.
8.0 Rainfall :-
Rainfall is the very important factor, which influence the agricultural activities as well
as the dairy activities in the Sangli district. The region lies in the rain-shadow region of
Sahyadri. The rainfall varies in different parts of the region.
The important aspects of rainfall which are to be studied are – 1. General distribution
of rainfall 2. Seasonal distribution of rainfall 3. Intensity of rainfall and 4. Number of rainy
days.
8.1 General distribution of rainfall:- The general distribution of rainfall in the Sangli district is very uneven. The rainfall
decreases from west to east. Khanapur tahsils in the north and Kavathe Mahankal and Jat tahsils
in the east receives, whereas it is above 600mm in the central tahsils such as Palus, Tasgaon
and Miraj tahsils.And Abovu 80 0to1000 mm in walwa and Shirala Thasil.
The Sangli district receives the rainfall of below 500mm. Therefore, rainfall is not
sufficient to agricultural development and farming without irrigation is not possible. Since,
dairy activity is very essential to subsidiary occupation for agriculture in Sangli district.
8.2 Seasonal Distribution of Rainfall:- Seasonality is an important characteristic of the rainfall of the region other than uneven
distribution and uncertainty. Although the rainfall is received in all the seasons. It is mainly
during the south–west monsoon and north–east monsoon periods.
However the principal rainy season is from June to September and quite a large
percentage above 52 to 54 per cent of the mean annual rainfall of the region is received during
south–west monsoon as shown in map 2.6. A. July and August are the rainiest months
throughout the region. Rainfall decreases from west to east.
From the second half of September, south–west monsoon looses its strength and
north–eastern monsoon takes its place. Rainfall during this period is maximum (30%) in the
Agrani valleys and low (26%) in Yerala valley.
At the close of November, north–eastern monsoon decreases its influence and cool
season starts. From December to February rainfall is very mearge through the region. The
rainfall (below 2%) is received in the eastern part (Agrani valley) and no rainfall available
towards west and north–west (Yerala valley). During the hot season, rainfall occurs
occasionally with the thunderstorms and heavy showers of rain or hails and speedy winds. Its
distribution shows that maximum rainfall (22%) is received in the western parts and decrease
towards east.
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8.3 Rainy days and Rainfall:- Table
Rainy days and Rainfall in mms. (2008)
Sr.No. Tahsils/centre. Rainfall in mms. No. of Rainy days.
1 Walwa 868.6 44
2 Khanapur 708.0 41
3 Kadegaon 653.0 50
4 Tasgaon 452.7 37
5 Palus 247.5 27
6 Miraj 433.6 32
7 Kavathe Mahankal 462.0 29
8 Jat 406.2 29
9 Shirala 977.0 59
10 Atpadi 420.0 34
Source: - socio – Economic Abstract 2007-08 Sangli and Satara district.
The above table reveals that the tahsilwise amount of rainfall in mms and number of
rainy days. The Walwa,Shirala tahsil receives highest rainfall amounts about 868.6mm and
Shirala 977mm. The Palus tahsil receives lowest rainfall amounts about 247.5mms and
receives 34 days rainfall. The Vita Centerof Khanapur tahsil receives 41 days rainfall and
amounts about 708mm. The Miraj tahsil receives 32 days rainfall and amounts about
433.6mms rainfall. The Kavathe Mahankal and Jat tahsil receives 29 and 29 days rainfall and
amounts about 462mm and 406.2mms. rainfall respectively.
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9.0 SOILS:-
Soil is considered to be very important resources because it is the soil that acts as
medium for the cultivation of crops. India being an agricultural country. Soil is the primary
resource of India. All our food, clothing and many other daily requirements are derived directly
or indirectly from the soil. soil occupies very important in India’s economy.
The soils of the region are derived from the Deccan trap. The characterisitic and
distribution of soils in the region are influenced by essentially by nature and intensity of
weathering, mode and rapidity of fluvial transport. These are generally classified as follows.
(Map -)
A. Coarse shallow soils.
B. Medium black soils.
C. Deep black soils.
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9.1 A. COARSE SHALLOW SOILS:
In the Sangli district, 25 per cent soils are coarse shallow type soils. These are located
in the north, north east, south and south–eastern parts of the region, especially broad area of
eastern part of Miraj taluka, southern part of Kavathe Mahankal and part of Jat tahsil.
These are light brown in colour and loamy to sandy in texture having low depth. These
soils are deficient in Nitrogen, organic carbon and phosphrous. They are less productive and
generally groundnuts, Jowar, Bajara, Grapes, wheat, potato, Tomato are grown in these soils.
9.2 B. MEDIUM BLACK SOILS:-
53 Per cent soils are medium black soil in the Sangli district. These soils are found a
large part of the region. These are located in the south–west parts of Khanapur, Atpadi,
Tasgaon and Kavathe Mahankal tahsils of the region. These soils are loamy to clayee in
texture. Sugarcane, cotton, wheat, Jowar, Maize, Soyabean, and Vegetables are cultivated in
these soils.
9.3 C. DEEP BLACK SOILS:-
20 per cent soils are deep black soils in the Sangli district. The broadest belt of this rich
soil is found in the Yerala river valley. The soil is very rich in calcium and magnesium but
poor in nitrogen and phosphorus. These soils are black in colour due to the presence of
titaniferrous magnetite, iron and humus content. The soils are very deep along the river valleys
in Warana and Krishana rivar besin particular in east part talua and Weast of Miraj Thasil. The
advantage of the soil lies in its possessing a high water holding capacity but poor in drainage
and excessive water makes in water logged. Therefore, water management is very essential in
the river area.
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10.0 NATURAL VEGETATION:-
The geographical area of Sangli district 32 thousand hectares area under forest in the
Sangli district. The Sangli district includes Ten Tahsils. Out of these tahsils Yerala valley
includes the Khanapur, Kadegaon, Tasgaon, Miraj and some part of Kavathe Mahankal tahsil
and Agrani valley includes the some part of Atpadi , Khanapur and Tadgaon tahsils and larger
area of Kavathe Mahankal and a small part of Jat tahsil.
The spatial distribution of forest reveals that the northern and western region occupies
large area under forest cover, while the eastern region occupy less than northern and western
region under forest.
In the Sangli district, vegetation is sparse and the trees are of dry decidues and thorny bush
types. Neem, Babhul, Tamarind, and Mango are the major trees found in Miraj tahsil. In the
eastern part of this tahsil especially on the fallow land thin grass is found. The grassy area with
sparse tree growth in Jat tahsil i.e. Khair, Tarwad trees etc. Scattered tree growth exists in three
villages viz. Belunkhi, Jirgyal and khalati in Jat. Other areas in Jat taluka are rocky and
murmad and grow only inferior type of grass. Forests in Tasgaon and Khanapur talukas are
scrub forests with bare and bush sprinkled hills to the east of the Krishna-river. The main
species are Babhul, Khair, Tarwad, Neem, Chinch, Jambhul, Bor (ziziphus jujuba), Mango are
found in the Sangli district.