Dandeli

Dandeli ದಾಂಡೆಲಿ
Town
Kali River rapids
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Uttara Kannada
Government
• Type	Democratic
• Body	Municipal Council
Area
• Total	8.5 km2 (3.3 sq mi)
Elevation	472 m (1,549 ft)
Population  (2001)
• Total	53,287 [1]
• Density	6,269.06/km2 (16,236.8/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	581,325,581,362
Telephone code	+91 8284
Vehicle registration	KA-65
Website	www.dandelicity.gov.in

'Dandeli"ದಾಂಡೆಲಿ" is a town in Uttara Kannada"ಉತ್ತರ ಕನ್ನಡ" district of Karnataka "ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ", India, in the Western Ghats region in North Karnataka.

Description

A significant part of Dandeli's population consists of economic migrants from all over India, especially the north/south Indian states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and many districts of the Karnataka state. The official and predominant language of communication is Kannada. The diversity of its population is reflected in its culture, and the Dasara, Ramleela, Ganesh Chaturthi and Deepavali festivals are all celebrated.

Old Dandeli

As per the 1930 census, the population of Dandeli was only 515 and predominantly worked in the forestry department and government saw mill. Most residents belonged to the Konkanis, Devali, Marathas, Kuruba, Lambani, Negro, and Muslim communities. The settlement was located on the bank of the Kali river and developed into an industrial town with the establishment of a number of companies, including Indian Plywood Mill, Lalbhai Ferro-manganese Factory, West Coast Paper Mill, Indian Saw Mill, and a number of small industries around the Dandeli and Karnataka Power Corporation which were engaged in the construction of several power-generating dams at different places along the Kali river. The place was later called Old-Dandeli.

There was no school in the small town until in 1936, when Shivaji Narvekar, Pundalik Pai, Sadanand Gopal Nadkarni, Balappa Chavan and Bapshet together contributed to build a one-room school in a hut on the nearby hill where now the government Urdu school is situated. Ramachandra Ganapat Nayak migrated from Sanikatta near Gokarn to run the school. The school started with merely 18 students, three of whom were older than their teacher, R.G. Nayak. In 1939 the school was recognised by the British government.

Name

A 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. An alternative legend states that a king named Dandakanayaka passed through the forests and named them after himself, and the city is believed to stand on the place where Dandakaranya stood when he named the area.

Geography and Climate

Dandeli is located at 15.247719N, 74.629678W. It has an average elevation of 473 metres (1,552 ft) and has received heavy rainfall during August to November (see chart below).

Because of good forest cover and moderate elevation, the location has a tropical highland climate, averaging about 27 °C (81 °F) in summer and 18 °C (64 °F) in winter.

Climate data for Dandeli,KA,India (1961-1990)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	22.4 (72.3)	26.1 (79.0)	30.4 (86.7)	31.3 (88.3)	33.8 (92.8)	26.2 (79.2)	24.5 (76.1)	23.1 (73.6)	27.1 (80.8)	25.3 (77.5)	23.2 (73.8)	22.7 (72.9)	26.3 (79.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	8.3 (46.9)	12.2 (54.0)	16.8 (62.2)	20.6 (69.1)	23.1 (73.6)	20.1 (68.2)	18.1 (64.6)	15.3 (59.5)	12.1 (53.8)	9.3 (48.7)	8.7 (47.7)	6.1 (43.0)	14.2 (57.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	—	124 (4.9)	123 (4.8)	57.3 (2.26)	34.3 (1.35)	88.9 (3.50)	263.4 (10.37)	890.3 (35.05)	1,452.7 (57.19)	2,324.1 (91.50)	1,229.6 (48.41)	226.1 (8.90)	—
Source: Hong Kong Observatory "Climatological Information for Dandeli,India",

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. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka and was designated as a tiger reserve in 2007. The jungle is also home to several varieties of reptiles and almost 300 varieties of birds. The rapid expansion of industry has raised fears of ecological damage to the area, and local volunteer groups have formed to address the issue.

Other attractions

The sanctuary provides rafting opportunities at the Virnoli Rapids connected to the Kali River. Other tourist activities include nature walks, boating, bird watching, crocodile spotting and angling. Nearby tourist spots include Ulavi, Syntheri Rocks, Anashi National Park, and Moulangi.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census, 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 predominant language spoken Dandeli's population was higher in the past, but lack of employment has forced people to migrate elsewhere. Jobs pay poorly, and traditional businesses have been disappearing for lack of customers. The West Coast Paper Mills is one of the largest employers in the town and the primary landowner; the mill has its own quarters, shopping complex, theatre, restaurant, playground and a clubhouse for the employees. The company was promoted by Shree Digvijay Cement Company Limited, Sikka, Gujarat State in 1955. This company is also the main contributor of unpleasant odor affecting otherwise very pleasant city.

Schools in Dandeli

• DFA School
• Anglo Urdu High School(Muslim Education Society Dandeli)
• St Michaels Convent School
• Janata Vidyalaya
• Government School
• Kanya Vidyalaya
• Tauheed Education Society
• Bangur Nagar Hindi Higher Secondary School (Dandeli Education Society Hindi School)
• BLDE Education Society
• Rotary School

Pre-university colleges

• DES Bangaur Nagar Junior College
• Janata Vidyalaya
• Tauheed Education Society
• Government College Old Dandeli
• Kanya Vidyalaya Pre-university College Dandeli

Degree colleges

• DES Bangaur Nagar Degree College
• Govt Degree College

Other institutions

• Sarvatomukh Vikas Kendra Dandeli (RI), President: Chandrayya Andakarimth
• S.V.K.'s Andakarimth Udyog Margadarshi Kendra Dandeli
• Kali Seva Pratistan Ganesh Nagar Dandeli, secretary: Ganapati Hegde
• Govt. Tool Room & Training Centre: Ambewadi Industrial Estate
• Asha Kiran Rural Private Industrial Training Institute, Ambewadi, under the aegis of Karwar Diocesan Development Council, Bishop's House, Karwar: secretary – Fr. Sebastian Fernandes
• S.U.C. Poltechnic Dandeli

News and media

• Deccan Herald, Prajavani, Vijaya Vani, Karavali Munjavu, Kannada Janantarang, Sayukta Karnataka, Tarun Bharat, the Times of India and Vijay Karnataka are the major local newspapers in the region.

Tourism

Dandeli Resorts

Dandeli resorts have become an attraction for wealthier, mobile residents from India and elsewhere. The biodiversity in the forest has attracted sufficient tourism to support a number of resorts in the vicinity of Dandeli. The government has promoted eco-tourism with proper planning of the healthy breeding of wild animals.

There are several resorts on the bank of Kali river or in the jungle. These resorts are perfect for travllers to rejuvenate close to nature. Tourist can indulge in lot of adventure activities in these resorts ranging from White water rafting to Kayaking and other water based activities. Some of the famous resorts in Dandeli are Jungle Lodges Kali Wilderness Camp, Dandeli Nature Nest Resort, Hornbill Resort, Bison River Resort. <ref"Dandeli Resorts", Dandeli Resorts and Hotels, 2015/5/5</ref>

Landmarks

Dandeli is surrounded by natural, historic, and religious landmarks: the River Kali, the caves of Kavla, the Syntheri Rocks, the Ulavi temple, Sykes point and the Supa hydroelectric dam. Karnataka's power corporation is situated in Ambikanagar (18 kilometres or 11 miles from Dandeli), where electricity is generated through hydro-power. Nagajhari power house is also there.