South Salmara Mankachar District

District Overview: South Salmara Mankachar

• • Location: Assam, India.
  • Established: February 9, 2016, by splitting the old Dhubri district.
  • Headquarters: Hatsingimari (around 245 km from Guwahati).
  • Borders: The district shares borders with Bangladesh to the west, Meghalaya to the southeast, and is near Goalpara and Dhubri districts to the north.

South Salmara Mankachar District History

• • Formation: Created in 2016 by bifurcating Dhubri district.

  • Announcement: On August 15, 2015, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announced the formation of five new districts, including South Salmara Mankachar.

  • Inauguration: Officially inaugurated on February 9, 2016, by Md. Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, IAS, at a function in Hatsingimari.

  • Judiciary:

    • Established on November 6, 2021, to reduce travel for litigation.

    • A Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (M) Court and a Munsiff-cum-Judicial Magistrate First Class Court were set up in Hatsingimari in January 2016.

Geography of South Salmara Mankachar

• • Area: Approximately 568 square kilometers.
  • Coordinates: Around 25°55′ N latitude and 90°01′ E longitude.
  • Boundaries:
    • North: Bordered by Goalpara and Dhubri districts.
    • South: Shares its boundary with Bangladesh.
    • East: Adjacent to Meghalaya.
    • West: Borders Bangladesh.
  • Topography: Mostly flat plains with a few small hillocks like Bansali and Rangatari in the southwest.
  • Rivers: Important rivers include the Brahmaputra, Jinjiram, and Kalonadi.
  • Climate: Humid subtropical, with annual rainfall around 2,916 mm. Most rainfall happens during the monsoon season (May to September).

Socio-Economy of South Salmara Mankachar

• • Agriculture: The economy is mainly agrarian, with key crops like paddy, jute, mustard, wheat, maize, and sugarcane. The district produces a surplus of rice.
  • Livestock Farming: Includes dairy farming, poultry, and goat rearing.
  • Forest Products: The forests provide timber and bamboo, and the district also has resources like sand and boulders used in construction.
  • Small-scale Industries: Limited industries focused on food processing and handicrafts.
  • Transport: The district has an underdeveloped transport network but relies on state roads for travel. There are no National Highways or railway stations within the district, though Rupsi Airport (72.8 km from Hatsingimari) serves as the nearest airport.
  • Waterways: Small ferries operate on the Brahmaputra River to Dhubri.

Demographics of South Salmara Mankachar

• • Population

    • Total: 555,114

    • Males: 282,027

    • Females: 273,087

    • Urban Population: 26,162 (4.71%)

    • Rural Population: 528,952

    Population Groups

    • Scheduled Castes: 7,767 (1.40%)

    • Scheduled Tribes: 4,032 (0.73%)

    • Not Indigenous: 543,315

    Literacy (Age 7+)

    • Literate: 221,511

    • Illiterate: 214,906

    Age Groups

    • 0-6 years: 118,697

    • 7+ years: 436,417

    Religion

    • Islam: 95.19%

    • Hinduism: 4.49%

    • Other or not stated: 0.32%

    Language

    • Assamese Speakers: 328,242

    • Bengali Speakers: 220,761

    • Hindi and Hajong Speakers: 2.12%

    Sex Ratio

    • Females per 1000 males: 968

Administrative Setup of South Salmara Mankachar

• • District Headquarters: Hatsingimari.
  • Sub-Divisions: One sub-division called Hatsingimari (Sadar).
  • Revenue Circles: Two revenue circles – Mankachar Circle and South Salmara Circle.
  • Development Blocks: Three blocks – Fekamari, Mankachar, and South Salmara (partially).

Rainfall in South Salmara Mankachar

• • Average Annual Rainfall: Around 2,500 mm to 3,000 mm, with the heaviest rainfall during the monsoon months.
  • Impact: Heavy rainfall can lead to flooding in low-lying areas but is beneficial for agriculture due to the enriched soil.

Attractive Tourist Places in South Salmara Mankachar

• • Tomb of Mir Jumla: A historical site dedicated to Mir Jumla, a figure from the Ahom dynasty.
  • Kamakhya Temple at Mankachar: A revered religious temple with spiritual significance.
  • Brahmaputra River: Scenic spots along the river offer fishing and boating opportunities.
  • Local Markets: Showcasing traditional crafts and agricultural products.

Languages Spoken in South Salmara Mankachar

• • Assamese: 58.56%
  • Bengali: 39.32%
  • Hajong: 0.45%
  • Hindi: 0.43%