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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Vidarbha
| other_name =
| settlement_type = Former state and historical region 
| image_skyline = Vidarbha Region.png
| image_alt =
| image_caption = '''Dark Blue''' : Nagpur District, '''Blue''' : Nagpur Division, '''Grey''' : Amravati District, '''Sea Green''' : Amravati Division
| nickname =
| image_map = India Vidarbha locator map.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map of India with Vidarbha highlighted in red
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =[[Government of Maharashtra]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.mh-31.com/nagpur/about-nagpur/nagpur-general/496-population-census-nagpur# |title=Population |date=31 March 2011 |access-date=6 April 2011}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 97321
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 23,003,179
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym = Vaidharbhiya
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate = MH-
| unemployment_rate =
| blank1_name_sec1 = Largest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Nagpur]]
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Vidarbha''' is the north-eastern region of the Indian state of [[Maharashtra]], comprising [[Nagpur Division]] and [[Amravati Division]]. Amravati division's former name is [[Berar Province|Berar]] (Varhad in [[Marathi language|Marathi]]).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EFDVAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA131|title=Asian Review |year=1898 }}</ref><ref>Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland By Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland—page-323</ref> It occupies 31.6% of the total area and holds 21.3% of the total population of Maharashtra.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> It borders the state of [[Madhya Pradesh]] to the north, [[Chhattisgarh]] to the east, [[Telangana]] to the south and [[Marathwada]] and [[Khandesh]] regions of Maharashtra to the west. Situated in central India. The largest city in Vidarbha is [[Nagpur]] followed by [[Amravati]] and [[Yavatmal]]. A majority of Vidarbhians speak [[Varhadi]] and Zadi dialects of Marathi.<ref>http://www.buzzalive.com/lifestyle/travel/dialects-in-maharashtra/</ref>

The Nagpur region is known for growing oranges and cotton. Vidarbha holds two-thirds of Maharashtra's mineral resources and three-quarters of its forest resources, and is a net producer of power.<ref>[http://www.sindhindia.com/p/maharastra/nagpur/nagpur-urban/nagpur-urban ]</ref>
Throughout its history, Vidarbha has remained much calmer than the rest of India, especially during the communal troubles. However, there is considerable poverty<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.rediff.com/election/2004/oct/12vidarbha.htm |title=Vidarbha profile on rediff |publisher=In.rediff.com |date=12 October 2004 |access-date=22 September 2010}}</ref> and [[malnutrition]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shramdeepindia.org.in/melghat.htm |title=WHO declares Melghat as India's most malnutrition-hit area|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830070118/http://www.shramdeepindia.org.in/melghat.htm |archive-date=30 August 2007 }}</ref> It is less economically prosperous compared to the rest of Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/iwmi-tata_html/PM2003/Schedule/IrrPov.htm |title= PM 2003 Schedule Irr Pov |access-date=6 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071218124256/http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/iwmi-tata_html/PM2003/Schedule/IrrPov.htm |archive-date= 18 December 2007 |author= Sanjiv Phansalkar |work= IWMI-TATA Water Policy Research Program}}</ref> The living conditions of farmers in this region are poor compared to India as a whole. There have been more than 200,000 farmers' suicides in Maharashtra in a decade, of which 70% being in the 11 districts of Vidarbha region.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/14/stories/2007111453091100.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071116052924/http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/14/stories/2007111453091100.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 16 November 2007 |title= Opinion / News Analysis : Maharashtra: 'graveyard of farmers' |date= 14 November 2007|work= [[The Hindu]] |location= Chennai, India}}</ref>

There have been recent calls for a separate state of Vidarbha, due to perceived neglect from the [[Government of Maharashtra]] and incompetent political leadership in Vidarbha. Being culturally, politically and financially distinct from the rest of Maharashtra, the calls for a separate state rose to prominence only when the leaders from this region were sidelined by other political leaders in recent years.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/aug/18inter.htm |title= Interview of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President-Mr. Ranjeet Deshmukh |work= Rediff.com |date=18 August 2004 |access-date= 22 September 2010}}</ref> Statehood demands have not been fulfilled mainly due to the opposition from the [[Shiv Sena]], a major state political party.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/23/stories/2004032301361300.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040623093743/http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/23/stories/2004032301361300.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 23 June 2004 |title= Very few takers for a separate State |date=23 March 2004 |access-date= 22 September 2010 |work= [[The Hindu]] |location= Chennai, India}}</ref>

== History ==
===Ancient period===
[[File:Vidarbhas of the Deccan.jpg|thumb|Coin of the Vidarbhas of the Deccan. Uncertain ruler. (1st century BCE) '''Obv''' Linear cross with each arm terminating in pellet-in-annulet. '''Rev''' Tree in railing.]]
Vidarbha was part of the [[Satavahana Empire]] (1st century BCE - 2nd century CE), as suggested by Satavahana coin finds in [[Pauni]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sarma|first1=Inguva Karthikeya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ilBmAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA38|title=Coinage of the Satavahana Empire|date=1980|publisher=Agam|page=38|quote=The latest site which contributed valuable numismatic evidence confirming, once and for all, ancient Vidarbha's early Satavahana affiliation is Pauni, in district Bhandara|language=en}}</ref>

===Medieval period===
[[File:Paramaras of Vidarbha King Jagaddeva 12th-13th centuries.jpg|thumb|Coin of King [[Jagadeva]] of the [[Paramara dynasty|Paramaras]] of Vidarbha, 12th–13th centuries CE.]]

[[Nagpur]] was the capital of the [[Berar Subah]], known as the Gulshan-e-Berar in the [[Medieval India|Medieval period]], from the rule of the [[Khalji dynasty|Khaljis]] to the [[Mughals]], according to the ''[[Ain-i-Akbari]]'' and Alamgir Namah.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} In 1724, when Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah declared independence, the existence of Berar as a Mughal Subah came to an end. It became (though nominally) a part of Nizam state.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V07_375.gif Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 7, p. 369]</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Chikhaldara.jpg|right|thumb|[[Chikhaldara]] is the only hill station in Vidharbha]]
[[File:Vainganga river21.jpeg|right|thumb|[[Wainganga]] river near Bhandara district]]
Vidarbha lies on the northern part of the [[Deccan Plateau]]. Unlike the [[Western Ghats]], there are no major hilly areas. The [[Satpura Range]] lies to the north of Vidarbha region in Madhya Pradesh. The [[Melghat]] area of Amravati district is on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Range.<ref>[http://amravati.gov.in/htmldocs/melghat.htm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830010013/http://amravati.gov.in/htmldocs/melghat.htm |date=30 August 2008 }}</ref> Large [[basalt]]ic rock formations exists throughout Vidarbha, part of the 66-million-year-old volcanic [[Deccan Traps]]. [[Bhandara]] and Gondia district are entirely occupied by metamorphic rock and alluvium, making their geology unique in Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gondia.gov.in/htmldocs/phygon.html |title=Gondia geology |publisher=Gondia.gov.in |access-date=22 September 2010}}</ref>

== Administration ==
Vidarbha region has 11 districts divided into two divisions ([[Amravati Division|Amravati]] and [[Nagpur Division|Nagpur]]).
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:left" width=570px
|-
! Name of Division (Headquarter) || Districts || Source
|-
| align = center | '''[[Amravati Division]]''' HQ=[[Amravati]] Districts=5 Talukas=56
|| {{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Amravati District|Amravati]]
*[[Yavatmal District|Yavatmal]]
*[[Buldana district|Buldana]]
*[[Akola district|Akola]]
*[[Washim District|Washim]]
}}
| align = center | [http://amravatidivision.gov.in/ Division Website]
|-bgcolor=#edf3fe
| align = center | '''[[Nagpur Division]]''' HQ=[[Nagpur]] Districts=6 SubDivisions=31 Talukas=64
||
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Nagpur District|Nagpur]]
*[[Wardha District|Wardha]]
*[[Bhandara District|Bhandara]]
*[[Chandrapur District|Chandrapur]]
*[[Gadchiroli District|Gadchiroli]]
*[[Gondia District|Gondia]]
}}
| align = center | [http://nagpur.nic.in/divisionalcommissioner/htmlscripts/index.asp Division Website]
|}
Each district has a collector's office which is responsible for day-to-day administration.The [[District Collector]] is a Central Indian Government IAS appointee who is in charge of the governance of a district in a state.<ref>[http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/Districts%20List.php Districts Of Maharashtra] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112033302/http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/Districts%20List.php |date=12 January 2008 }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
Vidarbha has a total population of {{formatnum:23003179}} according to the 2011 India census.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vidarbha population 2011|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/prov_results_paper2_mah.html}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;"
|- style="background:#f0f0ff;"
! '''District'''
! '''Male'''
! '''Female'''
! '''Total'''
|-
! [[Nagpur district|Nagpur]]
| 2,388,558
| 2,264,613
| 4,653,171
|-
! [[Amravati district|Amravati]]
| 1,482,845
| 1,404,981
| 2,887,826
|-
! [[Yavatmal district|Yavatmal]]
| 1,425,593
| 1,349,864
| 2,775,457
|-
! [[Wardha district|Wardha]]
| 665,925
| 630,232
| 1,296,157
|-
! [[Washim district|Washim]]
| 621,228
| 575,486
| 1,196,714
|-
! [[Chandrapur district|Chandrapur]]
| 1,120,316
| 1,073,946
| 2,194,262
|-
! [[Akola district|Akola]]
| 936,226
| 882,391
| 1,818,617
|-
! [[Bhandara district|Bhandara]]
| 604,371
| 594,439
| 1,198,810
|-
! [[Buldhana district|Buldhana]]
| 1,342,152
| 1,245,887
| 2,588,039
|-
! [[Gadchiroli district|Gadchiroli]]
| 542,813
| 528,982
| 1,071,795
|-
! [[Gondiya district|Gondiya]]
| 662,524
| 659,807
| 1,322,331
|}

== Religion ==
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Vidarbha (2011 census)<ref name="census_2011_religion">{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |title=Population by religious community - 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner |work=[[2011 Census of India]] |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Hinduism in Maharashtra|Hinduism]]
|value1 = 76.91
|color1 = darkorange
|label2 = [[Navayana|Buddhism]]
|value2 = 13.08
|color2 = gold
|label3 = [[Islam]]
|value3 = 8.34
|color3 = Green
|label4 = [[Jainism in Maharashtra|Jainism]]
|value4 = 0.44
|color4 = maroon
|label5 = [[Christianity in Maharashtra|Christianity]]
|value5 = 0.34
|color5 = blue
|label6 = [[Sikhism]]
|value6 = 0.18
|color6 = yellow
|label7 = Others
|value7 = 0.62
|color7 = Grey
|label8 = Non religious
|value8 = 0.10
|color8 = Black
}}

Religion in Vidarbha is characterized by the diversity of religious beliefs and practices. Vidarbha possesses six of the [[Major religious groups|world's major religions]]; namely [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]], [[Jainism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Sikhism]].

[[File:Dragon Palace Temple.jpg|right|thumb|[[Dragon Palace Temple]] is a Buddhist temple in [[Kamptee]]]]
According to the 2011 census, [[Hinduism]] was the principal religion in the state at 76.91% of the total population, while [[Buddhists]] constituted 13.08 of the total population. Vidarbha accounts for 45.91% of total Buddhists in [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="census_2011_religion"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Religious composition
! Population
! Percentage
|-
| [[Hindus]]
| 15,866,514
| 76.906%
|-
| [[Marathi Buddhists|Buddhists]]
| 29,98,263
| 13.075%
|-
| [[Marathi Muslims|Muslims]]
| 1,720,690
| 8.340%
|-
| [[Marathi Jains|Jains]]
| 89,649
| 0.435%
|-
| [[Marathi Christians|Christians]]
| 70,663
| 0.343%
|-
| [[Sikhs]]
| 37,241
| 0.181%
|-
| Others
| 127,516
| 0.618%
|-
| Religion not stated
| 21,170
| 0.103%
|-
| '''Total'''
| '''23,003,179'''
| '''100%'''
|}

== Language and culture ==

[[Hindu]] festivals like [[Holi]], [[Diwali]] and [[Vijayadashami|Dasara]] are celebrated throughout the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gadchiroli.gov.in/people10.htm |title=People And Their Culture |publisher=Gadchiroli.gov.in |access-date=22 September 2010}}</ref>
{{Pie chart
|label1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
|value1 = 73.7
|color1 = red
|label2 = [[Hindi]]
|value2 = 8.3
|color2 = orange
|label3 = [[Urdu]]
|value3 = 6.2
|color3 = Green
|label4 = [[Lambadi]]
|value4 = 2.5
|color4 = brown
|label5 = [[Gondi language|Gondi]]
|value5 = 1.8
|color5 = skyblue
|label6 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|value6 = 1.1
|color6 = teal
|label7 = [[Korku language|Korku]]
|value7 = 1.1
|color7 = gold
|label8 = others
|value8 =5.3
|color8 = grey
}}

As per the 2011 census, 73.7% of the population speaks [[Marathi language|Marathi]], 8.3% [[Hindi]], 6.2% [[Urdu]], 2.5% [[Lambadi]], 1.8% [[Gondi language|Gondi]], and 1.1% [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Korku language|Korku]] as their first language.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html 2011 Census of India, Population By Mother Tongue]</ref>

The [[Nagpur Central Museum]] ({{abbr|est.|established}} 1863) maintains collections that are mainly from Vidarbha.<ref>[http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/FINAL_GAZETTEE/edu1.html Nagpur District Gazetteer] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422001048/http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/FINAL_GAZETTEE/edu1.html |date=22 April 2008 }}</ref>
*[[Kundinpur]]/Kaundinyapur/[[Kundinapuri]], the mythological capital of Vidarbha as mentioned in ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref>Rukhmini Udana: The Flight to sri Krishna Reunion by Dr Hemant Bonde Patil Atlantic publishers & Distributors, India, {{ISBN|978-8126926886}}</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Skyline South Nagpur 2019.jpg|right|thumb|Nagpur is the biggest economic centre of Vidarbha]]
Nagpur is a central hub for business and healthcare. Amravati is known for film distributors and cloth markets.[[Yavatmal]] is cotton city and it is exporter of cotton and [[Raymond UCO Denim Pvt. Ltd.]] is situated in [[Yavatmal]]. [[Chandrapur]] has a thermal power station which is one of the biggest in India and some other heavy industries such as paper ([[BILT]] Ballarpur), steel (MEL from [[Steel Authority of India]], etc.), cement ([[UltraTech Cement]], [[Ambuja Cements]], [[ACC Limited]], Manikgarh Cement, Murli Cement) industries and numerous coal mines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-12-24/news/27722689_1_nagpur-growth-nucleus-second-greenest-city |title=Nagpur – Growth Nucleus of India|publisher=economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=24 December 2008}}</ref>

An international cargo hub project, the [[Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur]], (MIHAN), is being developed.<ref name="aboutmadc">{{cite web|url=http://www.madcindia.org/aboutmadc.htm |title=Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited |access-date=14 May 2008 |work=madcindia.org |publisher=madcindia.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510173353/http://www.madcindia.org/aboutmadc.htm |archive-date=10 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="factsheet">{{cite web|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archieve/factsheet/2005/fscivil2005.pdf|title=Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited|access-date=29 January 2008|publisher=Press Information Bureau and Ministry of Civil Aviation}}</ref> MIHAN will be used for handling heavy cargo coming from South-East Asia and Middle-East Asia. The project will also include a {{INRConvert|100|b}} [[Special Economic Zone]] (SEZ)<ref name="Nagpur container depot fastest growing in India, Nagpur ATR busiest in India, Trains going through Nagpur, National Highways through Nagpur, Nagpur SEZ stats, Land prices in Ramdaspeth etc./"> {{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/3713.html|title=Nagpur stakes claim to lead boomtown pack|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=June 1, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929125003/http://www.indianexpress.com/story/3713.html|archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref> for information-technology companies. This will be India's biggest development project.<ref name="biggest_development_project">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-22/nagpur/27875804_1_mihan-health-city-r-c-sinha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314133754/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-22/nagpur/27875804_1_mihan-health-city-r-c-sinha|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 March 2012|title=Mihan is biggest development|access-date=22 May 2007|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=22 May 2007}}</ref>

===Agriculture===
[[File:Agriculture farm in Vidarbha.jpeg|thumb|Farmland in Vidarbha region]]
Vidarbha has recently gained notoriety for the number of [[Farmers' suicides in India|suicides committed by farmers]].
On 1 July 2006 the [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Manmohan Singh]] announced a {{INR|3,750}}-crore (37.5 billion rupee) relief package for Vidarbha.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071218211400/http://pmindia.nic.in/prelease/pcontent.asp?id=466 relief package for Vidarbha]</ref> The package is intended to help farmers in six districts of the region. However the package was not welcomed by most financial [[Pundit (expert)|pundits]] and journalist [[P Sainath]] wrote in ''[[The Hindu]]'' that the package was destined to fail. Corruption was found amongst most of the officials involved with the packages and the government considered suspended more that 400 officials in the scam.<ref>{{cite web|first=P|last=Sainath|url=http://www.indiatogether.org/2006/jul/psa-package.htm |title=Politics of packages, packaging of politics |publisher=Indiatogether.org |date=16 July 2006 |access-date=22 September 2010}}</ref>

===Mineral wealth===
[[Nagpur]], [[Amravati]], [[Yavatmal]] ,Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, [[Bhandara]] is form the main mineral belt, with coal and [[manganese]] as the major minerals. Chandrapur district contributes 29% of all mineral output of Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/geology.html |title=Demography |publisher=Chanda.nic.in |access-date=22 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003060401/http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/geology.html |archive-date=3 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Iron ore and [[limestone]] are identified as potential mining resources.<ref>[http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/community/community_geo_profileShow.php#resource "Maharashtra Resources"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030242/http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/community/community_geo_profileShow.php#resource |date=30 September 2007 }}</ref>

===Industry===
[[Nagpur]], [[Amravati]], [[Yavatmal]], [[Wardha]] and [[Chandrapur]] are Large Industrial center in Vidarbha resp.
Ballarpur Industries, India's largest manufacturer and exporter of paper is located in [[Chandrapur district]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/bilt.html |title=Ballarpur Industries Limited- Bilt |publisher=Chanda.nic.in |access-date=22 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003060548/http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/bilt.html |archive-date=3 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Education==
{{See also|List of higher education institutions in Vidarbha}}

== Sports ==
[[File:VCA Nagpur,India.jpg|right|thumb|Vidharbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur]]
Cricket is the most-popular sport in the region and Nagpur's [[Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground]] (VCA) has hosted international cricket matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/grounded/58344.html |title=Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground profile |publisher=[[Cricinfo]] |access-date=12 November 2012}}</ref> It has been superseded by the [[Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-domestic-2011/content/ground/375326.html |title=Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadiumprofile |publisher=[[Cricinfo]] |access-date=12 November 2012}}</ref> built in 2008 in Jamtha.

== Tourism ==
[[File:Hrushikesh kulkarni flag shegaon.JPG|thumb|Entrance of [[Anand Sagar]], [[Shegaon]], a holy place for Hindus and a popular picnic spot in Vidarbha.]]
[[File:Tara in Tadoba Tiger Reserve AJTJ P1090339.jpg|right|thumb|[[Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve]] is popular amongst domestic and International tourists for Jungle safari]]
The eastern region of Vidarbha contains Maharashtra's oldest National Park, the [[Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://projecttiger.nic.in/tadoba.htm |title=Tadoba Tiger Reserve |publisher=Projecttiger.nic.in |access-date=22 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224040201/http://projecttiger.nic.in/tadoba.htm |archive-date=24 February 2012 }}</ref> one of India's 39 [[Tiger reserves of India|Project Tiger Reserves]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://projecttiger.nic.in/map.htm |title=Online Map |publisher=Projecttiger.nic.in |access-date=22 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105220216/http://projecttiger.nic.in/map.htm |archive-date=5 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary has large number of Tiger. [[Shegaon]] is good tourist place.

== Politics ==

===Representation in Lok Sabha===
Vidarbha is represented at national level by ten [[Lok Sabha]] seats. Nagpur district which has the highest population density is split into two lok sabha seats, Nagpur and [[Ramtek]], while districts with lower population density like Chimur and Gadchiroli are clubbed together,while [[Yavatmal]]-[[Washim]] is one of most important seat in Vidharbha as it include two district headquaters. Ramtek and Amravati seats are reserved for [[Scheduled Caste]] candidates only while Gadchiroli-Chimur is reserved for Scheduled Tribes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eci.gov.in/election_maps/Results/PC/S13/S13_PC.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=21 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711221400/http://www.eci.gov.in/election_maps/Results/PC/S13/S13_PC.jpg |archive-date=11 July 2007 }}</ref>

===Representation in Vidhan Sabha===
Vidarbha is represented at state level by 62 [[Vidhan Sabha]] seats. Nagpur has the densest concentration of assembly seats with the city divided into six areas.While [[Amravati]] and [[Yavatmal]] are some of the important seat in Maharashtra. Certain seats are reserved for [[Scheduled Tribe]] candidates only, while others are open to all.[[Pusad]] seat in [[Yavatmal]] District is also important as it gives two Cheif-Ministers to Maharashtra <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eci.gov.in/election_maps/Results/AC/S13/S13_AC.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=21 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304114803/http://www.eci.gov.in/election_maps/Results/AC/S13/S13_AC.jpg |archive-date=4 March 2009 }}</ref>

===Separate statehood movement===
{{main|Vidarbha movement}}
Politician and economist [[Shrikant Jichkar|Dr. Shrikant Jichkar]] opposed separation of Vidarbha from Maharashtra, believing that it was not sustainable: "If Vidarbha is hived off, we will have no funds from day one to run the new State. The region's share is burdened by a deficit and Monopoly Cotton Purchase Scheme, Employment Guarantee Scheme and such activity will immediately cease since we would not have money to pay salaries." He noted that income from available natural resources could not balance Mumbai's subsidies, and that Mumbai's cooperation was vital to any development—in addition to the societal risks of dividing the Marathi-speaking state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/09/09/stories/0209000g.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107121747/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/09/09/stories/0209000g.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 January 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Vidarbha not viable economically |date=9 September 2000}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Dehani lift irrigation scheme]]
* [[List of cities in Vidarbha]]
* [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]]
* [[Manav Vikas Mission]]
* [[Proposed states and territories of India]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://vidarbhaenv.blogspot.in/ Article regarding environment of Vidarbha by Dr. Heda]
* [http://www.tigertrails.in Tigertrails]
*[https://tadoba-national-park-booking.com/ National Park In Vidarbha]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Berar |volume=3 |page=763}} This details the history of the province up to 1903, and itself cites {{Citation|title=Imperial Gazetteer of India}} (Oxford, 1908)

{{Coord missing|Maharashtra}}
{{Maharashtra|logo=yes}}
{{Vidarbha}}
{{Godavari basin}}
{{Proposed states and territories of India}}

[[Category:Vidarbha| ]]
[[Category:Regions of India]]
[[Category:Regions of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Proposed states and union territories of India]]

Vidarbha - Revision history

RowenaGlenny3: formatting fix

imported>Rohit klar: /* Tourism */ red link removed