Overview
The Dang district (also spelt Dangs) is a district in the southern part of the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the smallest district of Gujarat by area and population, and is distinguished by its hilly, heavily forested terrain along the western flank of the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) range. The district headquarters is located at Ahwa. Predominantly tribal in demography, Dang is one of the few districts in India where the population is overwhelmingly Adivasi.
Key facts
| State | Gujarat |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Ahwa |
| Region | South Gujarat |
| Terrain | Hills and dense forests of the Western Ghats |
| Major rivers | Purna, Ambika, Khapri, Gira |
| Predominant communities | Bhil, Kunbi, Warli, Gamit and other Adivasi groups |
| Languages | Dangi, Gujarati, Marathi |
| Number of talukas | Three — Ahwa, Waghai, Subir |
Geography
Dang lies in the south-eastern corner of Gujarat, bordered by the Tapi and Navsari districts of Gujarat and the Nashik and Nandurbar districts of Maharashtra. The district forms part of the Dangs forest tract, one of the most extensive teak-bearing forests in western India. Elevations rise as one moves east, with the hill station of Saputara, the only hill resort in Gujarat, situated near the Maharashtra border.
The Purna and Ambika river systems drain much of the district, supporting waterfalls such as the Gira Falls near Waghai. The Purna Wildlife Sanctuary and the Vansda National Park (the latter just outside the district, in Navsari) lie in the same forest belt.
History
Historically, the Dangs region was administered through a cluster of small chiefdoms ruled by Bhil chieftains traditionally styled as Rajas and Naiks. During the colonial period, the British East India Company and later the British Crown signed a series of forest leases with these chiefs, beginning in the 1840s, securing rights to the timber wealth of the area while leaving titular authority with the local rulers.
After Indian independence in 1947, the Dangs acceded to the Indian Union. The territory was first part of Bombay State, and on the bifurcation of Bombay State in 1960 it became part of the new state of Gujarat. The traditional chiefs continue to receive an annual political pension (salyana) from the state government, distributed during the annual Dang Darbar at Ahwa, a festival timed near Holi that draws large gatherings of tribal communities.
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector based at Ahwa. It is divided into three talukas:
- Ahwa — district headquarters and largest urban centre
- Waghai — known for the Botanical Garden and proximity to Gira Falls
- Subir
For parliamentary representation, Dang falls within the Bardoli Lok Sabha constituency (reserved for Scheduled Tribes), while in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly it forms the Dangs constituency, also reserved for STs.
Demography and culture
Dang has the highest proportion of Scheduled Tribe population among Gujarat's districts. Major communities include the Bhil, Kunbi, Warli, Gamit and Kotwalia. The principal spoken language is Dangi, an Indo-Aryan tongue with strong Marathi and Gujarati influences, reflecting the district's location on the linguistic boundary between the two states.
Cultural life centres on tribal music and dance forms such as the Mali, Thakarya and Chalo dances, performed prominently during Holi and at the Dang Darbar. The district has a distinct cuisine based on nagli (finger millet), rice and forest produce.
Economy
The economy is largely agrarian and forest-based. Paddy, finger millet (nagli/ragi), niger seed and pulses are the main crops, while non-timber forest produce — including bamboo, mahua flowers, tendu leaves and honey — provides supplementary income. Tourism centred on Saputara, Gira Falls, the Mahal eco-campsite and the Waghai Botanical