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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.