Introduction

Geographical Location and Area:

Thane is located in the north western part of Maharashtra state. To the west of the district lies the Arabian Sea, to the south is the Raigad district, and to the north is the Palghar district. The Sahyadri mountain range forms the eastern and northeaster boundaries of the district, with the Ahmednagar and Nashik districts located beyond these ranges. The geographical area of Thane district is 409,186 hectares, and it is an industrially developed district near Mumbai. The average area under cultivation is 65,909 hectares.

Climate and Rainfall:

The climate of the district is hot and humid, with higher humidity levels in the coastal areas and lower humidity in the interior. The annual temperature of the district generally ranges between 23°C to 31°C. The average annual rainfall is around 250 mm, and the rainfall decreases from south to north. During the monsoon season (June, July, August, September, and October), the rainfall amounts are approximately 445.5 mm, 1003.6 mm, 640.3 mm, 323.2 mm, and 95.2 mm, respectively. On average, the district experiences rainfall for 70 days.

Rivers and Dams:

Most of the rivers in Thane district are westward flowing, originating from the Sahyadri mountain range. The Vaitarna and Ulhas rivers are the major rivers in the district. The Vaitarna River originates near the Trimbakeshwar region of Nashik district in the Sahyadri range and flows east to west, eventually merging with the Arabian Sea north of Virar in the Palghar taluka. The estuary at the river’s mouth is called Dativray, and Tansa is a major tributary of the Vaitarna.

The Ulhas River originates near the Borghat area and also flows westward, merging with the Arabian Sea near the Sashti island near Thane. The river has two major branches. Barvi, Bhatsai (Bhatasa), Kaloo, and Murbadi are some of its tributaries.

On the Vaitarna River, the “Modaksagar” dam is located, and on the Tansa River in the Shahapur taluka, the “Tansa Lake” has been constructed, with a height of 41 meters, length of 2804 meters, and a capacity of 640 cubic meters. Additionally, the Bhatsai River in Shahapur taluka has a significant water project called the “Bhatsai” dam.

Forests and Soil:

The hilly areas of Thane district are forested, with dense forests found mainly in Shahapur and Murbad talukas. The forests mainly consist of deciduous trees like Khair, Bamboo, as well as trees like Tamarind, Banyan, Kadulimb, Mango, and Madu. Among the grass species found in the district, “Mushi” is an important one. In the Tansa sanctuary of Shahapur taluka, animals such as tigers, sambars, wild boars, foxes, and various species of birds are found. The eastern region of the district has reddish barren soil, the central region has brown and black soil, while the coastal region has sandy mixed soil.

Agricultural Practices and Fisheries:

Due to the hilly terrain, the area under cultivation is much smaller than one-third of the total geographical area. Rice, millet, and maize are the important crops grown in the district, along with fruits and vegetables. Fishing is a major activity in the coastal areas, with the Utan port being famous for its fishing activities. Fish species like Pomfret, Surmai, and Bombay Duck are caught in large quantities. Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Act 1961 According to the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Act of 1961, the first elected body of Thane Zilla Parishad came into existence on 12th August 1962. The tenth body of elected representatives worked from 15th January 2018 to 14th January 2023.

General Information about Thane District:

Total number of talukas: 07
Total number of Panchayat Samitis: 05
- Tribal Panchayat Samiti: 01 (Shahapur)
- Partially Tribal Panchayat Samitis: 02
- Urban Panchayat Samitis: 02
Total number of Gram Panchayats: 431
Total number of revenue villages: 814
PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Gram Panchayats: 204
Population (2011 Census provisional): 8,058,930
Zilla Parishad groups: 53
Zilla Parishad Executive Body existence: From 15th January 2018
Zilla Parishad General Body: 01
Subject Committees: 10 (with 8 to 15 members each)
Families below the poverty line: 71,692
Families without homes/with kutcha houses: 37,280

Geographical Features:

Remote mountainous area: Shahapur
Coastal area: Thane
Industrially developed areas: Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Murbad, and Ambernath
Climate: Hot and humid
Average rainfall: 3500 to 2000 mm
Rivers: Vaitarna, Ulhas (westward flowing rivers), Tansa, Bhatsai, Barvi
Dams: Tansa, Bhatsai, Barvi

Agricultural Information:

Geographical area: 409,186 hectares
Forest-covered area: 146,601 hectares (36%)
Non-agricultural areas:

Non-agricultural area: 88,917 hectares (22%)
Barren and uncultivable land: 84,500 hectares (22%)
Barren land (not cultivated): 6,329 hectares (1.54%)
Fallow land: 8,242 hectares (2%)

Area under cultivation: 65,909 hectares
Total cultivable area: 170,656 hectares

Tourist Attractions:

Tourist spots: Mahuli, Ajapur, Vajreshwari, Shitgad, Gorakhgad, Sangam, Takipathar
Temples: Somnath Temple, Ganpati Temple in Titwala

Health Infrastructure:

Primary Health Centers: 33
Sub-centres: 180
Health Teams: 05
Zilla Parishad Hospitals: 02
Ayurvedic Hospitals: 01
Veterinary Hospitals (Category-1): 22
Veterinary Hospitals (Category-2): 42
Integrated Child Development Centres: 09
Total Anganwadi Centres: 1,351
Mini Anganwadi Centres: 295
Zilla Parishad Primary Schools: 1,328
Total departments working under Zilla Parishad: 14
Class-1 officers: 130
Class-2 officers: 78
Class-3 employees: 4,594
Class-4 employees: 295
Total employees: 4,889

There are a total of 14 departments functioning under the Zilla Parishad, with 130 Class-1 and 78 Class-2 officers working. A total of 4889 employees are working, including 4594 Class-3 and 295 Class-4