About Uttara Kannada District

ABOUT UTTARA KANNADA DISTRICT
Uttara Kannada District is one of the biggest districts of our State with abundant natural
resources. The district has varied geographical features with thick forest, perennial rivers and
abundant flora and fauna and a long coastal line of about 140 KM in length. It is surrounded
by Belgaum District and State of Goa in the North, by Dharwar District in the East, by Shimoga
and Udupi Districts in the South. Arabian Sea forms the West border. In its 10.25 lakh hectares
of total land, of which 8.28 hectares is Forest land. And only about 1.2 lakh hectares of land
(roughly about 10%) is under agriculture / horticulture. The District consists of 11 Talukas viz.
Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Sirsi, Siddapur, Yellapur, Mundgod, Haliyal,
Supa(Joida).
There are 6 Assembly Constituency, 4 Revenue Sub-Divisions, 3 CMC, 2 TMC, 6 TP, 19

Nadakacheri Offices, 239 VA circles, 35 Hobblies, 208 Gram Panchayats & 1289 Villages in
this district. Kannada & Konkani is the major Regional Language spoken. The cultivable land
in the District is approximately 10 percent, as the forests dominate the total area. Apart from
the natural resources the district has also got some man made wonders. Important among them
are Hydro Electric Power Project and Nuclear Power Project. The important Hydro Electric
Power Projects are Supa Dam, Kadra Dam, Kodasalli and Gerusoppa Dam along with their
generating units and among Nuclear Power Project, the Kaiga Nuclear Power Project is
important.
Uttara Kannada District receives heavy rainfall during monsoon period. The important rivers
flowing in the district are Kali river (Karwar,Supa(Joida) Taluk), Gangavali/Bedti river
(Ankola Taluk), Aghanashini river (Kumta,Siddapur, Sirsi Taluk), Sharavati river (Honnavar
Taluk), Venkatapur river (Bhatkal Taluk), Varada river (Sirsi Taluk), Bedti river (Yellapur
Taluk).The depth of these rivers ranges from 9' to 10' and the riverbank height is about 12' to
15'.
The Madhukeshwar Temple at Banavasi, Ulavi Channabasaveshwar Temple at Ulavi,

Siddivinayaka Temple at Idagunji, Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna, Mathobara Temple at
Murdeshwar, Marikamba Temple in Sirsi are famous places of worship in the District.
Jain Basti and Swarnawalli Math, Sonda Fort, Mirjan Fort etc. are famous for ancient
monuments. Mosque at Bhatkal is also known for its marvellous designs.
Folk Arts like Suggikunitha, Holi Dance, Hulivesha, Siddi Dance are famous and traditional.
Yakshagana is also famous in the District.
Though the District is located in coastal area, it is not so famous for its marine products. But
activities connected with Fisheries are carried out on large scales with the help of State
Government as well as Central Government. The major population lives in rural area
undertaking agriculture as their main occupation. The main traditional occupations are
Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Horticulture, Beekeeping and Leather
Works etc.
The main tribes of the district are Sidhi, Kunabi, Halakki Vokkaliga, Gonda and Gouli. Sidhis
are said to have been brought by the Portuguese from Africa as slaves some four hundred years
ago. Their population is around ten thousand and are generally found in Haliyal, Yellapur and
Ankola taluks. Now their culture is completely Indian and have adopted mainly Hindu religion.
A small population of them are Muslims and Christians. They are extremely poor and backward
and work mainly as agriculture labourers in the fields of Havyak Brahmins.
Halakki Vokkaligas living in the foot of Western Ghats are known as the "Aboriginals of Uttara
Kannada". Their distinctiveness and backwardness are too obvious. They have administrative
system of their own and the headman is called "Gouda". Their way of living is still ancient and
need amalgamation with the main stream. The men are practically naked at home and the
women decorated with beads and necklaces, heavy nose rings have distinct attire. Goulis are a
nomadic tribes migrated from Maharashtra. They are mainly cow and goat rearers. They stay
on the fringes of forest. Some have taken up agriculture. Kunabis are said to be the most
backward of the tribals of Uttara Kannada District.. They live in small groups deep inside
forests in bamboo huts built in a row sharing common walls. Not having access to the medical
facilities due to seclusion, mortality rate among them is very high. Gonds live mainly in the
forests of Bhatkal taluk. They live off forest products. They have rich folk culture of tribal
dance.

About Uttara Kannada District

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ABOUT UTTARA KANNADA DISTRICT

There are 6 Assembly Constituency, 4 Revenue Sub-Divisions, 3 CMC, 2 TMC, 6 TP, 19

The Madhukeshwar Temple at Banavasi, Ulavi Channabasaveshwar Temple at Ulavi,

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