Uttarakannada 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 12 Talukas viz. Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Sirsi, Siddapur, Yellapur, Mundgod, Haliyal, Supa(Joida), Dandeli.

There are 6 Assembly Constituency, 4 Revenue Sub-Divisions, 3 CMC, 2 TMC, 6 TP, 19 Nadakacheri Offices, 239 VA circles, 35 Hobblies, 231 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′.

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.