| GEOGRAPHY |
| Physical Features |
| Saharanpur forms the most northerly position of the Doab
land which stretches between the holy rivers of the Ganges and the Yamuna, The Shivalik hills rise above it on the northern frontier. The portion
of Doab in which Saharanpur is situated was probably one of the first region of upper India occupied by the Aryans colonisers
as they spread eastward from the Punjab. |
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| Saharanpur district attained the status as Saharanpur division in 1997 of Uttar Pardesh. As regards its
physical features the north and the north east of the district is surrounded by Shivalik hills and separates it from
the Dehradun district in the recently created state of Uttranchal. The river Yamuna forms its boundary in the west which separates it from Karnal and Yamunanagar districts of Haryana.
In the East lies the district of Haridwar which was the part of district Saharanpur before 1989 and in the south lies the district
Muzafarnagar. At the time of the British Rule District Muzafarnagar was also a part of district Saharanpur. The district
is in a rectangular shape and it lies between 29 degrees 34 minutes 45 seconds and 30 degrees 21 minutes 30 seconds north
lattitude and 77 degrees 9 minutes and 78 degrees 14 minutes 45 seconds east longitude. Its total area is 3860 square
Kilometers. According to 2001 census the population of Saharanpur is 2896860. |
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| The district presents many varieties of features and differs in
general appearance than any other portion of the Doab and Gangetic plain as a whole.
It is true that most of the area belongs to the upland Bangar which strethches in a
continuous line up to Allahabad i.e. Junction of the two great rivers and on the either
side is the broad and low lying valley full of swamps and back waters with wide open
grass plains and Tamarisk jungle but in the north, There are the steep hills of Shivalik
chain which appear in a far more marked form in Saharanpur than any other district of
Uttar Pardesh while below the hills are to be seen in a modified form the prevailing
characteristics of the Bhabar and Tarai region. |
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| The main characteristics of the district can be divided into four parts. |
| 1. Shivalik Hill Tract |
| 2. The Bhabar Land |
| 3. Bangar Land |
| 4. Khadar Land (Yamuna, Hindon) |
|
| Yamuna is the important river of the district. Apart from this
Solani, Hindon, Ratmau, Nagdev have also played an important role in the physical
reconstruction of the district. All the rivers of the district submerge either in Yamuna
or in the Ganges. |
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| Climat |
| Saharanpur has a tropical climate because of the proximity of the Himalayan region across this Northern district. It is sub humid region especially the upper Ganga plain areas. Saharanpur records an average temperature around 23.3 degree during the course of the year. June is the hottest recorded month while January is the coldest one. Humidity is more in the western area as compared to the eastern region of Saharanpur. |
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| Mineral Resources |
| The region is very poor in mineral resources. Limestone stone
boulders are the only main minerals. Limestone is found in the Shivalik hills. Stone, hard
enough to be used for building purposes is scarce and is found in Shivaliks while stone for
road metal is found in the beds of Solani, Hindon and Sukhrao streams. Excellent lime is
also procured from the boulders covering the beds of the hilly torrents. The saline
efflorescence which is known by the name of Rah is found in the low lying tracts and in
the canal irrigated areas. |
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| The physical features and the climatic conditions of this district
have played an important role in shaping the history of Saharanpur district and making it
an important part from the rest of the country. |
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| Landuse |
| Saharanpur is primarily and agricultural district. Roughly 70% of
the land is under agricultural use still the region is of little importance from the point
of view of pastures. Agriculture plays an important role in the economy of the district.
One significant feature is that even though the agricultural land for food crops has
reduced in recent years the food production has increased considerably. The significance
of commercial crops have increased manifold as a consequence of sugarcane production.
The important food crops of the region are Wheat, Rice, Maize, Jawar, Bajara, sugarcane;
oilseeds, cotton and jute are the main commercial crops. |
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| Industries |
| Many agro based industries have been developing
across the Saharanpur district off late. One can also find number of
cottage industries here. saharanpur does not have enough mineral
resources unlike other districts in Uttar Pradesh. However it has
industrially backed itself with number of sugar and paper industries,
cigarette industry and not to forget the ever famous wood carving
industry. Wood work of Saharanpur district is world famous and is
exported in many Western countries including USA, UK, Singapore, Sweden,
and Kuwait. |
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| Transportation |
| The development of transport system depends on the physical features
and economic utility of the region. Transport system in the Bhabar region has not developed
much due to Monuntaineous Rivers and uneven topography. In the Bangar region the roads
and railway lines are developed due to favorable conditions like fertile land, high
density of population and topography. |
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| Trade |
| From the view point of industries and trade the region has great
importance. The region produces agro-based and industrial goods which are sent to the
various parts of the country. The trade flourishes and can be divided into three
categories: |
| A. |
Food - Grains, Vegetables and Fruits. Milk and milk products. |
| B. |
Agro Based Industries - The most important industries are Sugar,
Gur, (Cotton) Textile and Cigarettes. |
| C. |
Industrial Goods- Paper, Sugarcane, Hosiery Material & Wood
Carving. |
|
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| Besides exporting goods from here the region also imports Coal,
Iron–ore, Cement, Salt, Petroleum Products, Fertilizers, Oil-Seeds and Leather from
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Bihar. |
