Banaskantha district of the state of Gujarat is presumably named after the West Banas River and shares its border with the neighbouring State of Rajasthan. It is the third largest district of the state. There are eleven talukas in the district with Palanpur (District Headquarter), Deesa, Danta and Amirgarh being the significant and developed talukas of the district. The total area of the district is 10,400.16 Sq. Km and the district headquarter is at Palanpur. As per 2001 Census, the population of the district is 2.50 Million with 233 persons per sq. km.
Geography of Banaskantha district
Geographical Location of Banaskantha district is 71.03 degree to 73.02 degree east longitude and 23.33 degree to 24.25 degree north latitude. The maximum temperature of this place is 45 degree centigrade and the minimum temperature is 5 degree centigrade. The major rivers in this district are Banas, Saraswati River and Sepu.
Education of Banaskantha District
Banaskantha district has around 1,983 primary schools, 153 secondary schools, and 56 higher secondary schools. The district has a good network of technical training institutes like ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes), Polytechnic and cottage industry training institutes. The ITIs have an intake capacity of 2,028 students every year and offer courses in engineering, textile and automobile areas.
Economy of Banaskantha District
The economy of the district is based on agro and food Processing, tourism, textile and mineral based industries. The district ranks first in the production of vegetables. Banaskantha contributes significantly to Agricultural production of the State and ranks number one in the production of potatoes in India and it is also one of the leading producers of Isabgul (Psyllium husk) in the country. Traditionally, the district is known for its food processing industry, especially for vegetable oils and vanaspati. Banaskantha is the third largest producer of oil seeds in the State after Junagadh and Jamnagar. Bajra, Maize, Tobacco, Castor oil, and Jowar are the other major crops of the district. Major Medium and Large Scale Industries (MSI and LSI) industries in Banaskantha district are engaged in the production of granite tiles and marble blocks.
Tourism in Banaskantha District
The district has immense tourism potential because of the presence of pilgrimages like Ambaji. Around 1.18 million (9.6 percent) of the total tourist inflow in Gujarat, visited Ambaji, the most popular pilgrimage destination in the State, during the year 2006-2007. Apart from Ambaji, Banaskantha has other interesting places like Kumbharia which is a religious place for Jains, Balarm-Ambaji Sanctuary, Balram Palace Resort at Balrampur, Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary and Kedarnath Mahadev Temple in Jessore (32 Km from Palanpur). Jessore also offer excellent trekking options through its hilly terrain and is famous for sloth bear sanctuary.
How to reach Banaskantha District
By Road:Palanpur and Deesa, the two major cities of Banaskantha district are connected to National Capital Delhi and Jaipur, capital of neighbouring State of Rajasthan through National Highway 14 and 8. The State Highway 7 connects the district to important cities of Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Patan and Deesa. Palanpur is connected to Ambaji via State Highway No 9.
By Port:The nearest port to Banaskantha district is Dholera port. The district is also connected to the Kandla port via National Highway 15.
By Rail: Banaskantha district is connected to Mumbai- Ahmedabad- Delhi through a broad gauge with a major railway station at the district headquarters, Palanpur. Other major cities such as Deesa, Deoder, Dhanera and Bhabhar are also connected with the district headquarter via rail link
By Air: The district has an airstrip at Palanpur. The nearest commercial airport for the district is at Ahmedabad.
