Devgad taluka
Devgad is a taluka in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra India consisting of 98 villages. It is located on the Arabian Sea in the coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, south of Mumbai. Devgad is known globally for its exports of locally grown Alphonso mangoes. Devgad is a natural harbour. However, only small vessels can enter the harbour. History. It is noted for its harbour, its beach, and a lighthouse built in 1915 at the Devgad fort. Shilahara dynasty Raja Bhoja II constructed Fort Vijaydurg (Gheria), ruled later by Adil Shah and eventually by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and lastly Kanhoji  Angre is a national monument situated 45 minutes by road from the main city of Devgad. Fort Vijaydurg, named as the "Eastern Gibraltar" because of its virtual impregnability, was impressive as seen by British, Dutch, Portuguese armies and travellers 400 years ago and even today as seen by visitors. Transportation. The nearest railway station is Kankavli on Konkan Railway on Mumbai-Goa road. From Kankavli, one can get an auto-rickshaw or a state transport bus to reach Devgad-Vijaydurg. There is a wall under the sea at shores of the Vijaydurg built such that an enemy's ships, trying  to attack, would crash and sink. Trade. Devgad is also widely known for its pure Alphonso mango cultivation/farming and the whole development has evolved due to undertaking of the cultivation of Alphonso mango farming. Mangoes grown here are characterized by their distinct aroma, smooth exterior, thin skin and thick saffron pulp. The variety is different from the Alphonso mangoes grown in the Ratnagiri district. Such is the popularity of the Devgad Alphonso mango that vendors often pass off other similar looking mangoes under the name of Devgad Alphonso. Devgad Alphonso mango is grown on an area of 45,000 acres  and reaches a production of about 50,000 tons in a year of decent production. Devgad is also home to the oldest and biggest co-operative society of mango farmers in India, called the Devgad Taluka Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit or Devgad Taluka Mango Growers Society Ltd with over 700 alphonso growers and 25-year-old in 2013. Fishing is carried out on a large scale in the sea as well as in the creeks throughout the taluka region. The staple diet of this region is rice and fish. The first windmill project in Maharashtra was installed at Girye. Places  to visit. Devgad is slowly becoming a tourist hot spot for tourists who want to avoid Goa beaches. This is perfect for family outing in a peaceful and calm backdrop. Demography. The following is a list of villages and their populations according to 2011 Census data: