Umaria district was formerly the headquarters of the South Rewa District and thereafter the headquarters town of the Bandhavgarh tehsil. This district is situated at a distance of about 69 Kilometres from Shahdol District.
History of Umaria District
Umaria District was a part of Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh. This district was separated in the year 1998. Rajputs once ruled "Umariya", one of the ancient districts. This family has built the famous and important Lakshmi Narayan Temple on southern bank of Narbada Barman ghat. They also built on the steps of the northern bank of Barman ghat "Kareli" a gateway called the Hathi Darwaza, as their elephants can pass through it. Later the Baghel Rajputs of Rewa (Rewa District) won it from Lodhis, it became the Southern Capital of Rewa Riyasat after some years. Umaria was always a favourite town for many a princes and kings because the dense forests and Royal Bengal Tigers for hunting. The forests of Bandhavgarh were game reserve of Maharaja of Rewa.
Geography of Umaria District
Umaria district is situated in between the Northeastern parts of Madhya Pradesh. The coordinates of the district of Umaria extends from twenty three degree thirty eight minutes and twenty four degree twenty minutes to the North latitude and eighty degree twenty eight minutes and eighty two degree twelve minutes to the East longitude.
Umaria district is spread over an area of four thousand five hundred and forty eight square kilometres. The greatest length of the district of Umaria is about one hundred and fifty kilometres from north to south and the greatest width is about sixty kilometres from east to west.
Demography of Umaria District
According to the population Census in 2011, Umaria District had a population of 643,579 of which male and female were 329,527 and 314,052 respectively. The population of Umaria District constituted 0.89 percent of total population of Madhya Pradesh. The average literacy rate of Umaria was 67.34 percent. The male and female literacy rates were 78.10 and 56.06 respectively. The total literates in Umaria District were 366,414. Out of which the male and female were 217,458 and 148,956 respectively. The density of Umaria district is 158 people per sq. km. Umaria district administers 4,076 square kilometres of areas.
Economy of Umaria District
Umaria District possesses extensive forests and about forty-two percent of the total area is covered by forests only. The district is also rich in minerals. The most important mineral found in this district is coal and as a result, the South Eastern Coalfield Limited in the district is operating eight mines. The famous Bandhavgarh National Park and Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station Mangthar are situated in the district. Major portion of revenue is earned from the tourism.
Tourism of Umaria District
Tourism of Umaria District includes Bandhavgarh fort and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
The fort of Bandhavgarh is a place of considerable archaeological and historical importance. Other tourist attractions in this district are Chandia Khas, Pali Birsinghpur, Umaria Town, and the famous Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The metalled roads connect the town with Katni District, Rewa, Shahdol etc., on which regular buses are available. Umaria district is also a railway station on the Katni-Bilaspur District section of the South-Eastern Railway.
