CHAPTER -3 PROFILE OF THANE DISTRICT IN MAHARASHTRA STATE

Transcription

1 CHAPTER -3 PROFILE OF THANE DISTRICT IN MAHARASHTRA STATE 3.1 HISTORICAL ASPECT 3.2 GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECT 3.3 DEMOGRAPHICAL ASPECT 3.4 ECONOMICAL ASPECT 3.5 MEDIA IN THANE DISTRICT 32

2 CHAPTER - 3 PROFILE OF THANE DISTRICT IN MAHARASHTRA STATE 3.1 HISTORICAL ASPECT The history of Thane and many important old trade centre in the district such as Sopara, Kalyan and Vasai, shows that from before the Christian era the creeks, forests and hills of the district were traversed by important trade-routes passing through the important ghats of Sahyadris such as Thal Pass, Malsej Pass, Nana Pass, Bor Pass, Shirghat Pass, etc. But the condition of transport and Communications upto the middle of the 19th century was far from satisfactory. By the end of the last century navigation through coastal sea and creeks was much more important than inland transport, and was mainly through the Vasai, Dahanu and Thane creeks, and Ulhas and Vaitarna rivers. The district was also served by the first railway route in India, which was opened for traffic from Mumbai to Thane in This railway route was the first route not only in India but also in the East. The opening of railway and communication in the district ushered in a process of economic change. Since the beginning of the 20th century considerable improvement has been made in transport by roads and railways and in communications by post, telegraphs, telephones and wireless networks. Independence and economic planning, however, brought forth momentous changes in the general economy of the district, the most prominent among which was the distinct progress of industrialisation in the Thane-Kalyan belt. Industrialisation gave rise to new classes in the society such as technocrats, managerial cadres, industrial workers and salesmen who constitute distinct economic groups. The income earnings of these economic classes are very much higher than their rural counterparts who are engaged to agriculture and allied activities. 3.2 GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECT Located in Northern part of Konkan region, district is surrounded by Sahyadri Mountains towards eastern side & Arabian sea to the western side. To the northern part of the district are deep forests of Gujarat State while to the south is situated world famous Mumbai city. 33

3 Thane District has geographical area of 9558 sq. kms. (3,690 sq mi)positioned at & East longitude and & North latitude. Total cultivable land of Thane district is 4,29,500 hectors and area under forest is 3,30,300 hectors. There are 15 Talukas in the Districts (Refer Map No. 1). Thane, Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Bhiwandi, Vasai & Palghar talukas are industrially developed while Shahapur, Murbad, Wada, Jawhar, Mokhada, Dahanu, Vikramgad & Talasari talukas are mostly hilly in nature & rural population in this talukas comprises mostly of scheduled tribes (Adivasi) people. Thane district is advantageously situated as regards facilities of transport are concerned. All the trunk railway routes, Viz., Mumbai-Baroda-Delhi line, Mumbai- Bhusawal-Calcutta line and Mumbai-Pune-Madras line traverse through this district. These routes connect the important places in the district practically with the whole of the country. Road-routes of national importance such as the Mumbai-Agra road, Mumbai-Ahmadabad road, Mumbai-Pune-Hyderabad road, Mumbai-Konkan-Goa road and a number of State highways also pass through Thane district. Thane is closely connected with Mumbai, one of the biggest industrial and commercial centres in India as well as the capital of Maharashtra and a city of international importance. Its administrative institutions include 7 municipal corporations, 5 municipal council, 916 grampanchayats. 3.3 DEMOGRAPHICAL ASPECT Total population of Thane district as per census 2001 was 81,31,849 and as per census 2011 it increased to 1,10,54,131. The growth of population during decade 1991 to 2001 was 54.92% with large scale migration of people from outside district in search of employment to Thane. Over the decade the population growth was 35.94%. According to the census 2011 Thane district has a population of 1,10,54,131 roughly equal to the nation of Cuba or the US state of Ohio.This gives it a ranking of 1st in India as well as in Maharashtra state. The population density of the district as per census 2001 was per square kilometre (2,203.3/sq mi) and as per census 2011 the same is1,157 per square kilometre (3,000 /sq mi). It had a sex ratio of 858 females for every 1000 males as per census 2001 which has increased to 880 females for every 1000 males, Literacy rate of Thane district is as per census 2001 which has increased to % as per census

4 is - The additional information regarding population of Thane district as per census 2001 CHART NO. 3.1 : Population Of Thane District As Per Census 2001 SC Population ST Population Minorities Rural Population Urban Population The southern talukas are the mostly urban areas and hence along with Marathi many other languages like Sindhi, Gujarati and Hindi are spoken. Marathi is the main language in the rural talukas. Western coastal region is mostly populated by Kolis, the northern and the eastern talukas are populated by the Varlis, known for making stark images from red mud on house walls. 3.4 ECONOMICAL ASPECT According to the Census 2001, the total working population in the district was 11,961,704 persons, which is 47.37% of the total population of the district. Out of total working force, 51.75% were engaged in agriculture and allied activities, 6.19% in manufacturing, service and cottage industries and remaining 30.69% in other activities. Out of total working force, the female working force was 22.89% in the district. Agriculture Rice is the main crop of the district. Rice is grown in all the talukas of the district but mainly in Palghar, Bhiwandi, Murbad, Shahapur, Vada and Vikramgad, whereas Dahanu taluka is famous for fruits. Industries Thane District ranks third amongst the industrially developed districts of Maharashtra. There are 1548 large and medium scale and 18,480 small scale industries in the district. The main products of these industries are Drugs, Textiles, Adhesives, Plastics, Rubber, Steel, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering, Fertilizers, Electronics, Chemicals and Iron & Steel. The Thane- Belapur-Kalyan industrial belt is the centre of highly sophisticated modern industries. In Ambarnath, Bhiwandi, Badlapur, Tarapur and Murbad there are nearly 4000 industries which contribute towards the industrialisation of the district. The medium and large industries 35

5 manufacturing chemicals and chemical products are Pfizer, Lubrizol India Ltd., Polyolefins Industries Ltd., NOCIL, Herdillia Chemicals Ltd., BASF (India) Ltd., Star Chemicals, Indofil Chemicals Ltd., and Phoenix Chemical Works. The cotton and non-cotton power looms are mainly located at Bhiwandi, Thane and Kalyan. Fisheries constitute an important industry in Thane district. It is carried out in sea as well as in creeks and estuaries on the western coast. Marine fishery predominates over inland fishery in the district and provides employment to about 75% of the persons engaged in the fishing industry. Raptakos, Brett and Co., Pfizer Ltd., Cadbury (India) Ltd. which produce modified milk food and high protein food are some of the large and medium companies in the district. The Tarapur Atomic Power Station which has raised the utilisation of nuclear energy for electricity generation is also situated in the district. Bank of Maharashtra is one of the leading Public Sector Banks of the thane district, having 60 branches. 3.5 MEDIA IN THANE DISTRICT : 1. The common way of advertising remains TV and Press alongwith outdoor media like bill boards, posters etc. 2. There is a little influence of digital advertising due to limited internet impact because tribal and rural areas dominate majority of the district. 3. The culture of super shopping malls and exclusive galleries is at a nascent stage. 4. Small retailers still dictate terms of trade and flood the market with selective local and national brands. 5. Invariably sales promotion tools like seasonal discounts are used to supplement advertising. 36

6 MAP NO. 1 : MAP OF THANE DISTRICT 37

7 Table No. : 3.1 Talukawise break up of Tribal Population of Maharashtra (as per 2001 Census) Sr.No. Taluka Total Tribal Percentage Population Population 1) Thane 24,86,941 48, ) Vasai 7,95,863 81, ) Palghar 4,54,635 1,40, ) Dahanu 3,31,829 2,15, ) Talasari 1,21,217 1,07, ) Jawhar 1,11,039 99, ) Mokhada 67,319 60, ) Wada 1,42,753 75, ) Bhivandi 9,45,582 73, ) Shahapur 2,73,304 89, ) Murbad 1,70,267 38, ) Kalyan 12,76,614 34, ) Ulhasnagar 4,73,731 3, ) Ambernath 3,66,501 26, ) Vikramgad 1,14,254 1,03, Total - Thane 81,31,849 11,99, Source : 38