Neemuch district was declared as a separate district by the Government of Madhya Pradesh on the 30th of June 1998. Earlier, the district of Neemuch formed a part of the Mandsaur district. The three tehsils of the undivided Mandsaur district fall under this new district namely Jawad, Neemuch and Manasa.
History of Neemuch District
The Government of Madhya Pradesh created Neemuch District on 30 June 1998. During the rule of British Government in India, the district headquarter, Neemuch was a cantonment town, known as the North India Mounted Artillery and Cavalry Headquarters (NIMACH). It was later transformed into the headquarters of the Crown`s Representative Police Force (British Police Force) in the year 1939.
Geography of Neemuch District
Neemuch District is situated in the north-west border of Madhya Pradesh and southeast of Rajasthan. Neemuch District is situated between 24 degrees 15 minutes and 24 degrees 35 minutes to the North Latitudes and between 74 degrees 45 minutes and 75 degree 37 minutes to the East Longitudes. The broad gauge railway and road routes are available to reach this district. Neemuch district in the state of Madhya Pradesh is situated 60 kilometres from Chittorgarh City, 138 kilometres from Ratlam district, 249 kilometres from Ujjain, 272 kilometres from Indore, 462 kilometres from Bhopal, 608 kilometres from Delhi, 135 kilometres from Udaypur, 181 kilometres from Kota, 262 kilometres from Ajmer, 375 kilometres from Jaipur, 540 kilometres from Gwalior State and 827 kilometres from Mumbai.
Demography of Neemuch District
According to the population Census in India in 2011, Neemuch district had population of 825,958. Out of which the male and female were 421,640 and 404,318 respectively. The population of Neemuch District constituted 1.14 percent of total population of Madhya Pradesh. The average literacy rate of Neemuch in 2011 was 71.81 percent. The male and female literacy rate was 85.87 and 57.25 respectively. The total literates in Neemuch District were 517,361 people. The male and female literates were 314,785 and 202,576 respectively.
Economy of Neemuch District
Neemuch District is totally an agricultural district. Some of the major crops grown in this district of Madhya Pradesh state are Wheat, Groundnut, Garlic, Oured, Poppy Seeds Maize, Gram, Soyabean and Mustard. Handloom weaving is also a major industry in this area, particularly in the town of Neemuch. The district is also one of the largest producers of opium in the world. Neemuch has one of only two opium factories in all of India.
Tourism in Neemuch District
Neemuch District has high historical significance. There are also other tourist attractions in the district; most of them are the religious sites. These are as follows:
Kileshwar Temple - The Kileshwar temple annually holds the Maha Shivratri festival, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Shiva. It attracts thousands of devotees every year.
Sukhanandji Ashram - Sukhanandji Ashram is located about 20 kilometres from the town, on the border of Rajasthan. This temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. The place itself commands a scenic view, with a spring that is always flowing with water. In this place, the two annual fairs hosts: the first is on Haryali Amavashya of Srawan month and the second is on Baisakh Purnima.
Gandhi Sagar - Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the northern boundary of Neemuch and Mandsaur. It has an area of 368.62 square kilometers, adjoining the state of Rajasthan. The sanctuary is open throughout the year for the inland and outland tourists.