Dandeli

Dandeli ದಾಂಡೇಲಿ
—  city  —
Kali River rapids
Dandeli ದಾಂಡೇಲಿ Location of Dandeli ದಾಂಡೇಲಿ in Karnataka and India
Coordinates	15°16′01″N 74°37′01″E / 15.267°N 74.617°E / 15.267; 74.617Coordinates: 15°16′01″N 74°37′01″E / 15.267°N 74.617°E / 15.267; 74.617
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District(s)	Uttara Kannada
Population • Density	53,287 [1] (2001[update]) • 6,269.06 /km2 (16,237 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	8.5 square kilometres (3.3 sq mi) • 472 metres (1,549 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 581 325,581 362 • Telephone • ++91 8284 • Vehicle • KA-31,KA-30
Website	www.dandelicity.gov.in

Dandeli [ Kannada:ದಾಂಡೇಲಿ ] is a town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka in North Karnataka, India in the Western Ghats, near Goa. It is best known for its wildlife sanctuary, tourism, industry and as an educational hub.

A significant part of Dandeli's population consists of economic migrants from all over India. The migrants are from North Indian states like Rajasthan, UP, Bihar and many other districts of the Karnataka state.^{[citation needed]} Although the official and predominant language of communication is Kannada, there are significant minorities speaking Hindi, Konkani and Marathi. The diversity of its population is reflected in its culture, and the Dussera, Ramleela, Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali festivals are all celebrated.

Dandeli is like a backbone for Karnataka (see the map), and is a tourist spot for nature-lovers. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is a heady mix of nature, adventure and wildlife. This city in the Uttar Kannada district of South India is growing in stature as a leading tourist destination. The KPCL has two major hydro-electric power stations in and around Dandeli: one is at Ambikanagar, called Nagjhari Power Station, and the other is Supa Power station at Ganeshgudi. This is the Kali Hydel project; both the power stations have a combined capacity of generating 1225 MW power.

The Kali River is the lifeline for the people of Dandeli and nearby villages. It is believed that the river's name comes from the dark black rocks present beneath the flowing water.

Dandeli offers more than sundry outings and picnics. The region offers the best of adventure sports, eco-tourism and pilgrimage. Nature-lovers come here for unforgettable moments.

The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is generally undulating with steep slopes above picturesque deep river valleys and rich hilly forest terrain. The breathtaking valleys, regal-looking, meandering rivers and the splendid scenic beauty of the Syntheri rocks make it an inspiring experience. The forest in Dandeli is a typical moist deciduous and semi-evergreen type, with pockets of evergreen.

The main wildlife species include elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, flying squirrel, mouse deer, Slender loris etc., and the main bird species include magpie robin, golden-backed woodpecker, crested serpent-eagle and a large variety of other birds.

Name

The origin of the name of the city is unknown.^{[citation needed]} However, local legend states that the city is named after Dandelappa, a local deity, a servant of the Mirashi landlords who lost his life because of his loyalty.^{[citation needed]} An alternative legend states that a king named Dandakanayaka passed through the forests and named them after himself,^[1] and the city is believed to stand on the place where Dandakaranya stood.^{[citation needed]}

Geography

Dandeli is located at co-ordinates: [15.247719, 74.629678].^[2][3] It has an average elevation of 473 metres (1551 ft) and receives good^{[clarification needed]} rainfall.

Wildlife sanctuary

Main article: Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Dandeli is a natural habitat for wildlife, including tigers, leopards, black panthers, elephants, gaur, deer, antelopes, and bears.^[4][5] It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka^[5] and has been designated as a tiger reserve in 2007.^[6] The jungle is also home to many kinds of reptiles and almost 300 varieties of birds.^{[citation needed]} The rapid expansion of industry has raised fears of ecological damage and local voluntary groups have formed to address the issue.^{[citation needed]}

The undulating streams, swaying bamboo, abundance of wildlife, sylvan surroundings and trekking tracts make Dandeli Sanctuary a unique holiday destination. The River Kali and its tributaries, the Kaneri and Nagajhari, meander through the forest.

Sighting animals is difficult and always involves an element of luck. The sanctuary is home to the barking, spotted and mouse deer, sloth bear, panther, tiger, gaur, elephant, wild dog, civet cat, bison, jackal, langur and giant flying squirrel, besides a variety of colourful birds and reptiles. The reptilian and amphibian fauna of the region include a variety of ruffles and frogs.

The Black Panther, one of the rarest animals in the wild, is the most common form of melanistic leopards, which are selectively bred for captivity in zoos; the number of black panthers found in the world is limited. Official records say that there are few of them existing in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. Sighting the animal is very rare and mostly depends on a tourist’s luck, but there are people indeed who have actually seen the mysterious black big cat glide through the forest. The dark coloration of the panthers gives them a huge hunting advantage.

Other Attractions

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary offers a wide range of activities that tourists can undertake for their entertainment and knowledge. The sanctuary offers the chance to enjoy the thrilling experience of white-water rafting. The sanctuary provides rafting opportunities at the Virnoli Rapids connected to the Kali River. Tourists can also undertake nature walks, boating, bird watching, crocodile spotting and angling trips offered by the sanctuary. Moulangi is one of the places where one can think of having a bonfire and enjoy partying on the banks of the Kali.

Nearby tourist spots-

• Ulavi
• Syntheri Rocks
• Anashi National Park
• Moulangi

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[7] Dandeli had a population of 53,287. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Dandeli has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 65%: male literacy is 81% and, female literacy is 68%. In Dandeli, 11% of the population is under six years of age. Kannada is the major language spoken followed by Marathi, Hindi and Konkani.

Dandeli as a place is highly neglected as it falls on the corner and has no flowing population.It was once a city with higher population and lack of employment has forced people to migrate to different places. Few government officials, business men, teachers and employees of the paper mills are the earning population.Lack of employment has forced many younger generation to take up traditional business without new customers.

Dandeli is known for Paper production or Paper Mills (The West Coast Paper Mills): many residents of Dandeli are employed at the mill. Most of the land area in Dandeli is West Coast Paper Mill territory and the mill has its own quarters, shopping complex, theatre, restaurant, playground and a clubhouse which are meant for the employees. The Company is promoted by Shree Digvijay Cement Company Limited, Sikka, Gujarat State in 1955. The Company has an impressive track record of productivity for which various awards have been conferred on it by the National Productivity Council [Government of India] and other organizations. An amazing record growth has helped them expand the mill which is fully computerized.The workers are mostly on daily wages and through some contracts which helps the management to save a lot of money.

Few organizations have tried to uplift the industries but political powers does not favour the development as it can be divided in two constituency.

If you want to shop in Dandeli here are a few establishments

• Liberty Cushion Works
• Diamond Cushion Works

Hotels

You may not find your kind of hotel in Dandeli as its limited due to no flowing population. Some of them you need to adjust are

• Shetty Lunch Home - Veg/Non Veg
• Hotel Santosh - Veg
• Hotel Akshay - Veg/ Nonveg
• Irappa Khanavali - Traditional North Karnataka food

Gifts/ Cards

• Impressions
• Rajlaxmi

Mobile Stores

• Impressions
• Sunil Time center
• Airtel Store
• SV Mobiles

Dandeli is known for education: some of the educational centers in Dandeli are as follows:

Schools in Dandeli

• DFA School
• St Michaels Convent School
• Janata Vidyalaya
• Government School
• Kanya Vidyalaya
• Tauheed Education Society
• Dandeli Education Society Hindi School
• BLDE Education Society

Pre-University Colleges

• DES Bangaur Nagar Junior College
• Janata Vidyalaya
• Tauheed Education Society
• Government College Old Dandeli

Degree Colleges

• DES Bangaur Nagar Degree College
• Janata Vidyalaya

Other Institutions

• DES Bangaur Nagar College - Applied science in Pulp and Paper Technology (M tech)
• GT&TC. Govt Tool room and Training Centre
• Govt Industrial Training Institute college for women
• KLE Nursing College
• UCB Polytechnic College
• BLDE Rudset

News and Media

Deccan Herald,Prajavani and Kali News along with The Times of India and Vijay Karnataka are the major local newspapers in the region. Samyukta karnataka paper is also available....

Tourism

The natural beauty of the area attracts tourists from other parts of India and abroad.^{[citation needed]} It is also an adventure sports destination, and one of the best white-water rafting destinations in South India.^{[citation needed]} It is one of the few locations where rafting is possible even in peak summer months of March to June.

Many good picnic spots are near Dandeli: Sangam, Back Waters, Donawala Falls near Joida, Syntheri rocks etc.

You can plan your stay at these locations

• State Lodge, opposite to Main Bus stand
• Tourist Lodge, Opp to Main Bus stand
• Jungle Lodges, Kogilban Dandeli,
• Dandeli Jungle Inn Homestay at Dandeli
• Milind's homestay
• Dandeli Jungle Camp resort
• Bison Resorts Dandeli
• Hornbill Resorts Dandeli
• Stanley Farm stay
• Amara Homestay Dandeli

All of them need to be booked well in advance.

Landmarks

Dandeli is surrounded by natural, historic, and religious landmarks: the River Kali, the caves of Kavla, the Syntheri rocks, and other landmarks including the Ulavi temple, Sykes point and the Supa hydroelectric dam. Karnataka power corporation is also situiated in ambikanagar (18 km from Dandeli) Where electricity is generated through Hydro power. Nagajhari power house is also there. Naveen S Kini is also from Ambikanagar.

Transport links

Dandeli is well connected by road to nearby cities. It lies 55 km from Dharwad, 72 km from Hubli and around 115 km from Belgaum. Buses are run by the KSRTC SRS and VRL to Dandeli daily from Bangalore. The nearest airports are at Hubli, Belgaum, and Goa. Its British-built railway was the first in North Kanara district, but it is no longer operational for the public. The nearest passenger rail stations are at Alnavar, Londa, Dharwad and Hubli.

References

1. ^ Aranya in kannada means forest
2. ^ google maps
3. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Dandeli
4. ^ "Fauna Dandeli-Anshi Tiger reserve". http://www.dandeliwildlife.org/Fauna.html. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary Spotlight". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 17 February 2007. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/02/17/stories/2007021701230200.htm. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
6. ^ "State gets one more Project Tiger". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 17 January 2007. http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/17/stories/2007011711820100.htm. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
7. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 

External links

• Yahoo Road Map - Dandeli
• Dandeli