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Home » District Information
Background Information about the District
General Features:
Location:
Shimla District is a part of northwestern Himalayan Agro climatic region
of Himachal Pradesh. It is located in the North-East region of the Pradesh.
ON North East side it is surrounded by Kullu and Kinnaur District, on
South-East and West by Sirmour District and Dehradune District Uttranchal
and North West by Solan and Mandi Districts.
From administrative and development point of view, Shimla District is
divided into 7 Sub Divisions namely Shimla (Urban), Shimla (Rural), Theog,
Rampur, Chopal, Rohru, and Dodra Kwar, 9 Block viz Mashobra, Basantpur,
Theog, Narkanda, Rampur, Chopal, Jubbal, Rohru Kotkhai, Jubbal, Chirgaon,
Dodra Kwar and 5 Sub Tehsils namely Kupvi, Nankhari, Tikkar, Junga & Nerwa.
The Total Numbers of revenue villages are 2597 out of these 2311 are inhabited
and 286 are non-inhabited.
Geography:
The Hills and the mountain ranges are generally aligned in the east-west
direction, which presents a complicated pattern of relief. The predominantly
rough terrin, the prevalence of interlocking spurs, narrow and steep valleys
through out the district reflect the youthfulness of its geology.
Rivers:
Three rivers flow through Shimla district i.e. Sutlej, Giri and Pabbar.
River Pabbar is the principal feeder of river tons. It flows through south
of Shimla district and joins the rivers tons. River Sutlej enters Kinnaur
from Tibet territory through a pass between two peaks, it flows in the
south - east direction receiving the drainage form the Central Himalayas
from one side and Spiti Hills on the other side. In Shimla district river
Sutlej passes through Rampur and Suni Tehsils and crosses over to Bilaspur
district. Both rivers have carved out extensive valleys bestowed with
sizeable agricultural potential. The valley areas of Sutlej includes Rampur,
Kumarsain and Suni and that of Pabbar Includes Chirgoan, Rohru and Part
of Jubbal Tehsils while Shimla and Kotkhai Tehsils falls in the valley
of river Giri.
1.1.4 Soils:
The gentle slopes of hills have undergone a good deal of modification
due to terraced farming. On the whole the soils in different parts of
the district falls under two major groups.
1. Brown Podzolic Soils.
2. Humus and Iron podzolds.
Brown Podzolic Soils:
These soils are mainly developed under varying magnitude of podzolization.
Bz horizon is accompanied by Fe-Mn concrete. Heavy texture of clay loam,
silt loam and silt clay soils are often found. They are acidic in reaction.
Soils are medium in nitrogen, organic matter content and in available
potassium and deficient in phosphorus. Soils are Palendalfs and Hapludalfs.
Humus and Iron Podzolds:
These soils are predominantly forms under the process of Podzolization
while dark colour. A horizon is enriched with organic matter. Reddish
brown to yellowish brown. B-z horizon containing free iron and aluminum
accompanied by organic matter. Typical ash gray argilic Az horizon is
rather uncommon in such podzols. Soils are acidic in reaction and contain
high amount of organic matter. Sandy loam to Sandy clay loam and clay
loam texture are common. These soils are low in available phosphorus and
high available in potassium and nitrogen. As per soil taxonomy these soils
are Haplothods, Argindolls and Hapludalfs. The nutritional Survey based
on both soil and plant analysis suggests that soils by and large have
low levels of Zn, Cu, B and Mo.
Physiography & Climate:
The Physiographycally the district is rough and is having difficult terrain.
The prevalence of interlocking spurs, narrow and difficult terrain through
out the district are the main features. The climatic conditions of the
District vary from hurried sub tropical and temperate to Alpine. T he
varied climatic conditions offer congenial conditions for the cultivation
of all crops which interalia include cereals vegetable, commercial crops
and coarse grains crops. The annual rainfall of Shimla district is about
1143mm.
Geographical Area
The total geographical area of the district as per revenue paper is 438100
hectare.
Land Use Pattern:
| |
Area under forest: |
1,14,600 hect. |
| |
Area not suitable agriculture |
24,600 hect. |
| |
Cultivable waste land: |
9,600 hect. |
| |
Area under permanent pasture &scattered trees: |
2,04,400 hect. |
| |
Current fellow: |
13,800 hect. |
| |
Net Cultivated area: |
71,100 hect. |
| |
Gross cultivated area: |
1,07,100 hect. |
| |
Area sown more than once: |
36,000 hect. |
In all there 90112 operational holdings in the district
and average holding is 1.4 ha.
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Irrigation:
There are vary few sources of irrigation in Shimla district. The net area
under irrigation is 4,012 ha. The kuhals and tanks are the main sources
of irrigation. Although in valley areas of Satluj, Pabber and Giri, there
is good scope of providing irrigation facilities.
Agro Ecological Situations:
Under ecological situations Shimla district is divided into 5 Agro-Ecological
situations mainly on the basis of elevation because the Shimla district
comprises of sub humid hill to wet temperate regions. The identified situations
are as under; S.No. Name of Zone Elevation [in feet] App. Area in percentage
[%]
1 High hill - 1 Above 7000' 20
2 Mid hill - 1 6000' to 7000' 25
3 Mid hill - 2 4500' to 7000' 25
4 Mid hill - 3 4500' to 5000' 15
5 Low hill - 1 Below 4500' 15
Agriculture:
Due to high population pressures even the non-suitable areas have been
brought under plough and the slopes which are suitable for forest or pasture
have been brought under terraced cultivation. The lands which are capable
of yielding high income can be put under valuable crops such as off season
vegetables. So far, main emphasis was given to boost up the production
of food grains, oil seeds and pulses in order to meet out the requirement
of increasing population. Net cultivated area is 71,100 ha and cropping
intensity is about 138% as against 171% of the state. Of the total operational
holdings 88% belong to small and marginal categories and the proportionate
share of land is only 38%. The remaining operational holding (12%) belong
to medium, semi medium and large categories and the chunk of land is with
these farmers (62%). The operational holdings with Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe farmers are 25% and 0.5% respectively. More than 95% of
the total cultivated area is rainfed.
Demography:
Main Demographic features (2001 census):
| (a) |
Total Population: |
7,21,745 |
| i) |
Rural population |
5,54,912 |
| ii) |
Urban population: |
1,66,233 |
| iii) |
Male population: |
3,80,244 |
| iv) |
Female population: |
3,41,501 |
| (b) |
Sex ratio: |
898 females per 1000 males |
| (c) |
Population density: |
141 persons per sq. K.M. |
| (d) |
Literacy rate |
79.68% |
| i) |
Males |
87.72% |
| ii) |
Females |
70.68% |
| (e) |
Percentage of workers engaged in non-agriculture activities: |
16.81% |
| (f) |
Female work participation rate: |
44.20% |
Percentage of Distribution of total workers (main & marginal) as cultivators,
agricultural labourers, workers in household industry and other workers
in District Shimla by residence and sex: 2001.
District |
Total
Rural Urban |
Persons
Males Females |
Total
workers (main + Marginal |
%age to total workers (Main + Marginal Cultivators Agril.
Laborers Works in household industry Other workers |
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
| Shimla |
Total |
Persons Males Females |
369438
218495
150943 |
64.64
50.89
84.54 |
2.52
2.57
2.45 |
1.09
1.30
0.79 |
31.75
45.24
12.22 |
| |
Rural |
Persons Males Females |
305590
165713
139877 |
77.75
66.69
90.84 |
2.96
3.26
2.62 |
1.12
1.43
0.75 |
18.17
28.62
5.79 |
| |
Urban |
Persons Males Females |
63848
52782
11066 |
1.90
1.28
4.84 |
0.40
0.42
0.33 |
0.95
0.88
1.26 |
96.75
97.42
93.57 |
The demographic feature of Shimla District suggest that the percentage
decadal growth rate (1991-2001) is + 16.90. The population density has
increased from 120 persons per sq. KM to 141 persons per sq. KM.
The literacy rate has increase from 64.61% (1991) to 79.68% (2001). The
literacy rate has registered phenomenal increase from 51.779% (1991) to
70.68% (2001).
The percentage of total workers has increased from 48.62% (1991) to 51.19%
(2001) whereas the percentage of non-workers has declined from 51.38%
(1991) to 48.81% during 2001. The percentage of non-workers has increased
in urban areas 58.10% (1991) to 61.73% (2001). Whereas the trend is opposite
in rural areas. Their the percentage of non workers has declined from
49.65% (1991) to 45.93% (2001). The demographic features suggest that
there is increase in population density and consequently there is more
pressure on land. The holdings are further shrinking and as such per capita
land holdings have further declined.
Public Agriculture Extension System:
Shimla District offers varied agro-climatic and physiographic situations.
There is great scope for the cultivation of off season vegetables and
temperate fruits. To address the aforesaid limitations ITD component of
NATP was started in the year 1998 under ATMA mode. The success achieved
so far is highly encouraging and the farming community has diversified
in a big way and adopted income- generating avocations.
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