ABOUT THE DISTRICT :

Baksa district was carved out of a part of Nalbari, Barpeta, Kamrup and small portion of Darrang district. As a result of historic BTC(Bodoland Territorial Council) accord signed on February 10, 2003, formed BTAD(Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District) with four districts namely Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. Though the original word 'Baksa' is not above controversy, a good chunk of population prefer to use 'Bagsa' in lieu of 'Baksa'. The popular assumption that 'Baksa' is the misspelt form of 'Bangsa'--a 'Dzonkha' word meaning a farm house and a corridor as it is known that Bhutanese king and subjects used this area for trade and passage to the plains. 'Bangsa' (Bagsa or Baksa) was in fact one of the most important 'Dooars' of Bhutan.

Another source says that the name "Bagsa" is originated from Bhutanese language. According to Bhutanese origin they denoted the area as "Bagsa Duar". "Bagsa" meaning one kind of rice and "Duar" meaning entrance point. As Bhutanese king ruled these areas for a long time in an around first half of the nineteenth century so it might be possible that the name "Bagsa" or "Baksa" had a Bhutanese origin.

According to Bodo source the name originated from a kind of rice grain which is known as "Bagsa". The said rice grain is one kind of broken and uncleaned product which is gained after milling the rice.

As the name Baksa is itself derived from various sources and antecedents so there exists lots of controversy over the name. But still today no concrete evidence has been found which might determine the final source. Only popular sources and folklores are evident but no historical source has been found. So serious research needs to be done in this respect.

Now the name Baksa is officially taken and used.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BAKSA DISTRICT :

TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION :

Baksa district is located in North-Western part of Assam with the district headquarter at Mushalpur which is 105 Km away from State Capital Guwahati and 20 Km away from National Highway No. 31 towards North. The district headquarter is linked to the National Highway 31 mainly at two junction point namely Barama and Kadamtola which is about 14 and 18 Km away from Nalbari district HQ towards West via NH 31. The main mode of connectivity to the district is through Road. The district shares the privilege of being the International Boundary with Bhutan in the North with a mixed topography of plains and foot hills. The gentle and gradual slopes can be seen stretching from the foot hill of Bhutan and reaching out to the southern tips of Barpeta, Nalbari and Kamrup district. The East and Western boundaries of the district repectively shares with the neighbouring district of Odalguri (Earlier Udalguri) or Chirang.

The vegetaion of the district is characterized mainly by lush green forest and varieties of flora and fauna. Manas National Park stands out as the glaring example of this bio-diversified feature of the district.

The climate of the district is sub-tropical in nature with warm and humid summer and also followed by cool and dry winter. The average rainfall of the district is found to be 76 mm in the recent years.

DEMOGRAPHY :

The Baksa district is inhabited by mainly Bodo-Kachari, Assamese, Sarania-Kachari, Koch-Rajbonshi, Adibashi(Tea Tribe), Nepali, Bengali and religious minorities.

ACCESS TO THE DISTRICT :

By road connectivity:
i) From Adabari Bus Terminal, Guwahati there is direct bus service to Mushalpur(HQ). Distance is about 100 Km.

ii) From Adabari Bus Terminal, Guwahati there is direct bus service to Tamulpur Sub-Div HQ. Distance is about 60 Km.

iii) From Adabari Bus Terminal, Guwahati there is direct bus service to Salbari Sub-Div HQ. Distance is about 160 Km.

iv) There are numbers of Bus services and small car services(Winger, Cruiser etc.) from Adabari and Basistha Chariali, Guwahati via NH31 touching two connection points to Dist HQ (one at Barama, another at Kadamtola) (Distance Ghy-Barama via NH31 is about 75 Km and Ghy-Kadamtola via NH31 is about 80 Km)

By railway connectivity:
The district does not have any railway station at HQ. The only railway station at Goreswar under Tamulpur Sub-Divsion area is also not functioning due to BG line conversion work. The nearesr railway station is Tihu which fall under Nalbari district(Distance 35 Km from District HQ). The distance of Nalbari Railway Station from Dist. HQ is about 45 Km and Distance of Pathsala Railway Station(under Barpeta district) is about 50 Km.
The distance of Guwahati Railway station to Dist HQ by road (via NH 31) is about 105 Km.

By Air connectivity:
The nearest airport is Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Borjhar. The distance from Dist. HQ is about 130 Km.

Entry and Exit points to different areas of Baksa district touching NH31 towards north
1) Baihata Chariali(NH31) --> Goreswar --> Naokata
2) Rangia (NH31) --> Tamulpur --> Kumarikata --> Patkijuli
3) Rangia (NH31) --> Tamulpur --> Nagrijuli
4) Ghagrapar (NH31) --> Tamulpur
5) Nalbari (NH31)(Ganesh Mandir) --> Baganpara --> Nayabasti --> Subankhata --> Uttarkuchi
6) Barama (NH31) --> Barimakha --> Barbari --> Pakhamara (proposed National Highway)
7) Barama (NH31) --> Geruapara --> Bhalukdonga --> Adalbari --> Mushalpur(Dist. HQ) --> Nikashi
8) Kadamtola (NH31) --> Bhalukdonga --> Adalbari --> Barimukh --> Mushalpur(HQ) --> Nikashi
9) Tihu Chowk (NH31) --> Athiabari --> Thamna --> Charaimari --> Doomni
10) Patacharkuchi (NH31) --> Jalah --> Anchali --> Simla --> Daodhara --> Nganglam(Bhutan)
11) Pathsala (NH31) --> Anchali --> Simla --> Daodhara --> Nganglam(Bhutan) (NH 152)
12) Bhabanipur (NH31) --> Saudarbhita --> Salbari --> Rupahi
13) Barpeta Road (NH31) --> Gobardhana --> Basbari --> Manas National Park --> Mathanguri
14) Barpeta Road (NH31) --> Doomni Bridge --> Labdanguri

ART AND CULTURE:

Introduction: As the district is predominantly inhabited by the Bodo people so the influence of Bodo art and culture is seen much in the district. Along with it, the culture of other caste and tribes can also be seen in the district.

Dress: Generally, two cultural trends can be seen in Baksa district. One is general and other is that of tribal people. While the General women wear Mekhela Sador and Saris, the tribal people especially Bodo women wear Dokhona. All the male people irrespective of caste and creed wear Long-pant while at outdoors and Gamocha when in home.

Dance: Different kinds of dances are prevalent in Baksa district. As there is different kinds of tribes living in the district, their dance is also different. While Assamese speaking people's favourite dance is Bihu, Bodos and other tribes have divergent types of dances. Varied Bodo dances are- Bagurumba, Kherai, Mwchaglangnai, Daosa-Thwi- Lwngnai, Rwnswndri etc. Adivasi dances are- Jhumoor dance, Karam dance, Domkaich dance etc.. Nepali dances are- Sangini dance, Loknritya, Khukri dance etc.

Festivals: Almost all kinds of festivals are celebrated in the district. International, National and Local- every festival is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. International festivals like Christmas, 31st Dec Night and New Years day is very popular with Christian masses in particular and non-Christian in general. National festivals like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Diwali, Ganesh Puja, Rash Yatra, Saraswati Puja etc. are also celebrated with equal spirit and fervour. Local festivals like- Bihu, Bwisagu, Magh Bihu, Magw, Bathou Puja etc. are also observed with pomp and gaiety.

PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST :

Baksa district has enough potential for tourism development. After creation of the district, the world famous Manas National Park is now fall under Baksa district. The main places of tourist interest in the district are as follows:-

          1) Manas National Park

          2) Manas Soushi Khongkhor

          3) Moina Pukhuri

          4) Bogamati

1) Manas National Park & Tiger Project: Manas National Park and Tiger Project located at the western side of the district at the foothills of Bhutan is a place of great tourist attraction-National as well as International. There are as many as 60 species of mammals, 312 birds, 42 reptiles, 7 amphibian, 54 fishes and more than 100 species of insects. The most abundantly found animals are Tiger, Leopard, Golden Langur, Pigmie Hog, Dhanesh Pakhi, Wild Buffalo, Bison, Python, Wild Cat, Elephant, Hyena, Fox etc. The river Manas flow through the National Park. River Crafting facility is newly introduced for the tourists. Both Govt. and Private Lodging and Food facility is available.

     Nearesr Railway station: Barpeta Road

     Connection through motorway : Barpeta Road - Bansbari forest range (Distance about 15 Kms)

2) Manas Soushi Khongkhor: An eco-tourism spot located on the middle part of the Baksa district on the mouth of river Pagladia. Enshrined with natural beauty just adjacent with Bhutan hills, it attracts a large number of picnic goers in the month of December and January. It is new well maintained and looked after by an NGO known as Manas Soushi Khongkhor Eco Tourism Society (MASKETS). Some endangerd wild animals are found there such as Bison, Deer, Hogg Deer, White Belly Heron, Royal Bengal Tiger etc. Food and Guest House facility is provided by the volunteers of MASKETS if needed.

     Nearesr Railway station: Nalbari

     Connection through motorway : i) Mushalpur-Nikashi-Subankhata-Chowki(Distance about 25 Kms)

                                                        ii) Nalbari-Baganpara-Nayabasti-Subankhata-Chowki(Distance about 55 Kms)

3) Moinapukhuri: Moinapukhuri is located northwards of Mushalpur (District HQ) just adjacent to the International India-Bhutan boundary. It is in India side. It is the only trekking site in Baksa district. As the place is located in the hills, around 3 Kms from the plains and there is no motorways, one have to walk through the difficult rugged tepped trekks to reach there. The motorable way ends near about 3 Kms before. Main attractions are dead lake, a picnic spot, place for puja for various Hindu religious communities etc. along with dense jungle.

     Nearesr Railway station: Tihu

     Connection through motorway : Kadamtal(in NH 31) - Mushalpur- Nikashi-Moinapukhuri (Distance about 30 Kms)

4) Bogamati: A popular beautiful spot on the mouth of river "Barnadi" on the foothills of Bhutan, it attracts a large number of picnic parties during new year and Magh Bihu. Far flung river sands and rocks in the month of December and January works as open air restaurant for the picnic goers.      Nearesr Railway station: Goreswar (temporarily not in service)

     Connection through motorway : i) Baihata Chariali - Goreswar- Bogamati (Distance about 40 Kms)

                                                        ii) Rangia-Goreswar-Bogamati(Distance about 45 Kms)