Kolhapur district is the southernmost district of Maharashtra. Its headquarter is Kolhapur City which is an ancient city. The city is situated on the banks of river Panchganga and is known as 'Dakshin Kashi'. Kolhapur is seat of Goddess Mahalaxmi and is one of the Shaktipeeths mentioned in Indian mythology. Kolhapur was ruled by Silaharas, Yadavas, Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas in the Medieval times.
The growth of district in modern times is fascinating. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaja is an architect and founder of modern Kolhapur. The district is abundant in natural resources- water, soil, natural vegetation, animal wealth and minerals. As a result, Kolhapur is one of the most agriculturally advanced districts of not only Maharashtra but also India. It is fast becoming an industrialised district as well and already a front runner in agro-based industries. Kolhapur District is one of the shining examples in the Co-operative Movement of India. No doubt, the district has the highest per capita income in the Maharashtra State and one of the highest in the country.
Kolhapur has a distinct culture developed as a result of rich history and its quality of people who have been front-runners in various fields. Kolhapur is famous in the country for production of Jaggery, Kolhapur Chappals, silver jewelry, and Indian Wrestling.
The physical setting of the Kolhapur district is divided into three main parts namely Eastern ranges, Central ranges and Southern ranges. Eastern and Central ranges have black soil formed from 'lava' and at some places it has large tracks of fertile land. The western ranges are mostly hilly and have red soil. The majority area in the west is under thick forest coverage.
Panchaganga, Warana, Dudhaganga, Vedganga, Bhogavati, Hiranyakeshi and Ghataprabha are main rivers which flows towards east through western Ghats. The river Panchaganga is formed by the tributaries namely the Kasari, the Kumbi, the Tulsi and the Bhogavati. Krishna river flows in the east on easten border of the district, similarly Tillari river flows on western border to west.
General Kolhapur Info
Kolhapur Statistics The physical setting of the Kolhapur district is divided into three main parts namely Eastern ranges, Central ranges and Southern ranges. Eastern and Central ranges have black soil formed from 'lava' and at some places it has large tracks of fertile land. The western ranges are mostly hilly and have red soil. The majority area in the west is under thick forest coverage.
Radhanagari Hydro-electric Scheme
This was the first major irrigation work in the district. The scheme was originally started by the former Kolhapur State in 1908 during the period of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj mainly as an irrigation scheme. The famous engineer Vishweshvaraiya had been involved in planning the dam, built on river Bhogavati. It was constructed up to 40 feet in 1917 and it was only after 1946 when construction got momentum and it was completed in 1957. The maximum height of dam is 140 feet and is 126 feet over river-bed with top width of 18.4 feet. The storage capacity is 239.53 MCFT and command area is 26560 acres.
It has a power house at its foot with 24 MW capacity. The project has brought a large area in Radhanagari, Karvir, Hatkanagale and Shirol talukas of the district under irrigation. This project has given start to a number of irrigation projects and today, district has one of the largest area under irrigation in the state. The Kolhapur type Weir ( K.T. Weir ) is famous all over the country. The district also boasts of a number of co-operative lift irrigation societies.
Dairy Co-operative Movement
The Kolhapur district is a leading district in dairy farming and it boasts of milk-production with huge exports of milk and milk-products. The setting up of dairies Gokul, Warana and Mayur is a landmark in economic development of the district especially Gokul Milk Co-operative which is one of the biggest dairies in India.
Warana is a classic example and excellent Manifestation of RURAL CREATIVITY In a real sense of the term. Late Sheri Tayasaheb Kore, A legendary name in the co-operative Movement in India, and a visionary Of unmatched qualities, founded the Sugar factory in WARANANAGAR In 1959 and the stone started rolling. He set the pace and never looked back.
