The West Godavari district is a coastal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh with an administrative headquarters in Bhimavaram.[5] As of the 2011 Census of India, the district has an area of 2,178 km2 (841 sq mi) and a population of 1,779,935.[6] It is bounded by the Krishna district and Bay of Bengal to the south, East Godavari district to the east, and Eluru district, Kolleru Lake and Upputeru Drain to the northwest.[7]
The Eastern Chalukyas ruled coastal Andhra Pradesh from 700 to 1200 CE, with their capital in Vengi. Historical evidence of their rule has been found in the nearby villages of Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem). Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471 CE before conquest by the Gajapati Empire. In 1515 CE, Sri Krishna Deva Raya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was ruled by the Qutb Shahi Dynasty's Sultans of Golkonda.[8] On 15 April 1925, the West Godavari District was formed with Bhimavaram as its headquarters, and all of the district offices and regional offices were centralised in Eluru.[9]
During the Madras Presidency in 1823, the District of Rajahmundry was created.[10] It was reorganised in 1859 and bifurcated into the Godavari and Krishna districts. During British rule, Rajahmundry was the headquarters of Godavari district, which was further bifurcated into the East Godavari and West Godavari districts in 1925.[11] When the Godavari district was divided, Kakinada became the headquarters of East Godavari and Eluru became the headquarters of West Godavari. After the 4 April 2022 bifurcation for a separate Eluru district, Bhimavaram became the new headquarters of the West Godavari district.
The district occupies an area of 7,742 km2 (2,989 sq mi). The district is bounded by the East Godavari district on the North, Eluru district on the Northwest, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on the Southeast, Krishna district on the Southwest. and Bay of Bengal on the south. The Godavari River flows on the east, while the Tammileru River and Kolleru Lake separate it from the Krishna district on the west.[12]: 22
West Godavari is a flat region with a slightly slope along the rivers flowing eastward. The three rivers cutting through the district are the Godavari (after which the district is named), the Yerrakaluva, and the Tammileru. Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, Eluru Canal, Vijayarai Anicut, Tammileru, Jalleru, and the Yerrakaluva reservoirs are the major sources of irrigation.[13][14]
The region has a tropical climate similar to the rest of the Coastal Andhra region. The summers (March–June) are very hot and dry, while the winters are much cooler. The temperatures in the summers often rise over 40 °C during the day.[citation needed] The rainy season (July–December) is considered the best time for tourist visits, as the fields are bright green with paddy crops, rivers are flowing with monsoon water, and climate is relatively cool. There are several large mensions scattered around the Godavari area that once belonged to zamindars.
As of the 2011 Census of India, the West Godavari district has a population of 3,936,966 with 1,091,525 households, which is the 11th most populous district in the state. The district's population is approximately equal to the population of Croatia and the American state of Oklahoma.[16][17]
In Andhra Pradesh, the West Godavari district is the 19th largest in terms of area with an area of 7,742 km2 (2,989 sq mi) (before bifurcation) and has a population density of 509/km2 (1,320/sq mi), which is the fourth-most densely populated district in the state. Its population growth rate between 2001–2011 was 3.45%.[12] West Godavari has a sex ratio of 1004 females for every 1000 males and stands at the eighth position. It has the highest literacy rate among all Andhra Pradesh districts with 26,52,389 (74.63%) literate residents.[12] 20.6% of the district's population lives in urban areas.[18]
After bifurcation, the district had a population of 1,779,935, with a sex ratio of 1002 females to 1000 males. 468,924 (26.35%) of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 289,195 (16.25%) and 15,670 (0.88%) of the population respectively.[12]: 81–85 Telugu was the predominant language, spoken by 98.67% of the population.[20]
The gross district domestic product is ₹45,963 crore (US$5.5 billion) and it contributes 8.8% to the gross state domestic product. For the FY 2013–14, the per capita income at current prices was ₹86,974 (US$1,000).
Paddy, banana, sugarcane, and coconut are the main agricultural products cultivated in the district. The agriculture sector contributes ₹18,385 crore (US$2.2 billion), industries contribute ₹7,086 crore (US$850 million), and services contribute ₹20,491 crore (US$2.5 billion) to the gross district domestic product.[18] The major products contributing to the gross value added of the district from agriculture and allied services are the previously listed agricultural products, as well as milk, meat, and fisheries. The gross value added to the industrial and service sector is contributed from construction, electricity, manufacturing, unorganised trade, and transport.[18]
Cashew nut, mango and tobacco are other important produce from the district.[13] Shrimp production is also a main activity along with fish farming.[21] The woolen pile carpet industry in Eluru produces eco-friendly carpets from exported wool.[22][23]
Telugu is the most widely spoken language.[21] The Vedas, which have oral heritage recognition by UNESCO, are taught at the Sri Venkateswara Veda Patasala of the district's Bhimavaram village.[24] The district is well known for its wool-pile carpets and hand woven products.[25]
Eluru is the largest city of the district with many destinations having Buddhists and archeological importance, such as the Guntupalli Caves, one of the top 30 Indian heritage sites, near the city.[26] Eluru hosts a 74-foot high Buddha statue in the heart of the city.
Some of the religious destinations include Dwaraka Tirumala, known by the name of Chinna Tirumala,[27] Veerabhadra Temple, Pattiseema, and Pancharama Kshetras of Palakollu and Bhimavaram.[28] Other tourist destinations of importance are Perupalem Beach at Narasapuram, the Kolleru Lake (the largest fresh water lake in the country and a bird sanctuary),[29] Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, and Havelock Bridge. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is keen on developing Rajahmundry Airport as an international airport to boost tourism, including helicopter tours over the Godavari districts. The Polavaram Project irrigation system is expected to become another tourist attraction for the district.
Narasapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)
Narasapuram Lok Sabha constituency presently comprises the following Legislative Assembly segments:[30]
The new West Godavari district has three revenue divisions in Bhimavaram, Tadepalligudem and Narasapuram . These revenue divisions divide the district into 20 mandals. These 20 mandals[31] consists of 296 Revenue villages, 6 municipalities (Narasapuram, Palakollu, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, and Bhimavaram, Akiveedu.[12]: 22–23, 54