Aurangabad

General Information of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Region

 1)INTRODUCTION–
Marathwada region comprises eight districts: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Dharashiv, Latur, Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, and Beed. The regional headquarters is at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). The region lies between 17°37′ to 20°39′ north latitude and 74°33′ to 78°22′ east longitude. The geographical area is 64,590 sq. km. The region comprises 76 tahsils.

Salient features of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division

2)GEOGRAPHY–
The region is situated on a hard plateau, having plain terrain with undulations. The region lies in the center of the state. It is drained by the main river Godavari, popularly known as ‘the ‘Deccan Ganges,’ and comprises many large and small projects. The region also experiences the extension of the Ajanta and Balaghat hill ranges. The region is bounded by the Amaravati region in the north, the Nashik region in the west, and the Pune region in the south; it is bounded by Karnataka and Telangana states in the south and southeast. The region receives very erratic rainfall, and it has the characteristic of short rainfall and the time gap between two successive rains.

3) GEOLOGY–
The region is peculiarly occupied by the Deccan Traps; however, there are exposures of granite and Vindhyan in the Nanded district. The Deccan Traps are of the Upper Cretaceous to Lower Eocene age. The thickness of each lava flow varies from a few meters to 40-45 meters. The basalts are vesicular, zeolitic, jointed, and columnar, and weathered in nature. Alluvial patches are found near the banks of the river in places.

4)HYDROGEOLOGY–
The groundwater-holding capacity (porosity and permeability) of this rock depends on the joints, fractures, and the weathered portion of the basaltic lava flows.
In the areas along the banks of major rivers, a layer of local sediments overlies this rock. Such a layer of sediment (sand) is useful for retaining groundwater; however, its area of coverage is very small.
The area of this section is covered by multi-layered Deccan trap (basalt) rock, and fractured basalt is the main water-bearing strata (aquifer), with its capacity to retain or release groundwater limited to 1 to 3% of its total volume.

5)HISTORICAL:-

Marathwada was historically a part of the Nizam’s Hyderabad state. It was merged with the state of Maharashtra on September 17, 1948. Marathwada gained independence due to the nonviolent movement led by Swami Ramanand Tirth.  Therefore, September 17 is celebrated as Marathwada Mukti Sangram Day.

The region is traceable as far back as the time of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, particularly in Latur, Jalna, etc. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka ruled the region for a long time. After that, the reigns of the Satavahana and Rashtrakuta dynasties came into existence. The region tells its own history through various caves, temples, monuments, and forts.

6) CULTURAL:-
The region is blessed with a rich cultural heritage. The Siddheshwar Yatra in Latur district, the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Nanded district, and the Ellora Mahotsav in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district are the main attractions of the cultural activities in the region.

The birthplace of Saint Namdev Maharaj is Narsi (Namdev); the birthplace of Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj is Apegaon; the birthplace of Saint Janabai is Gangakhed; the birthplace of Sai Baba of Shirdi is Pathri; the birthplace of Saint Eknath is Paithan; the birthplace of Samarth Ramdas is Jamb; the Shakti Peeth of Devi is Mahur; the Jyotirlinga of Parli Vaijnath; the Jyotirlinga of Aundha Nagnath; the Jyotirlinga of Grishneshwar Temple; and the Sikh Sachkhand Gurudwara in Nanded are religiousplaces that come under this section.

These full-size Buddhist caves, the first ancient caves in Asia, are inPitalkhora in Kannad taluka of Aurangabad district.

7. WATER QUALITY:-

A Divisional Chemical Laboratory has been established under the supervision of the Regional Deputy Director, Ground Water Survey and Development Agency, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, since April 1988, for testing the quality of groundwater. The main objective of establishing the laboratory is to test the quality of groundwater and recommend whether it is suitable for drinking, domestic use, agriculture, and industrial purposes. One Divisional, eight District Level, and 31 Sub-Divisional Laboratories are operational in this department. Chemical and biological quality testing of water samples is done in these laboratories.

            The status of the laboratory buildings and NABL certification currently operating in the department is as follows: