📍 1. Formation of the 34th district: Vav‑Tharad

• On January 1, 2025, Gujarat officially bifurcated Banaskantha district to form Vav‑Tharad, its 34th district.
• Headquarters established at Tharad, covering 8 talukas: Vav, Tharad, Bhabhar, Dhanera, Suigam, Lakhani, Deodar, and Kankrej, with 4 municipalities (Tharad, Bhabhar, Thara, Dhanera).
• Banaskantha retained 6 talukas—Palanpur, Danta, Amirgarh, Dantiwada, Vadgam, and Deesa—and 2 municipalities, with Palanpur remaining its HQ.

  Land area:

• Vav‑Tharad: ~6,257 km²

• Banaskantha: ~4,486 km²

• Each district comprises around 600 villages.

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2. Rationale Behind the Split

• Banaskantha was Gujarat's largest by talukas (14) and 2nd largest by area, which made administration challenging.
• The bifurcation aims to:

1. Reduce average travel distances for residents (by 35–85 km) to district offices.
2. Decentralize governance, enhance service delivery, and spur local development.

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3. Local Response and Protests

• Some talukas—particularly Kankrej, Dhanera, and Deodar—opposed inclusion in Vav‑Tharad, citing concerns over poor connectivity to Tharad and better access to Palanpur.
• Local traders in Shihori and Tharad protested, shutting shops and submitting petitions to district officials and high-level politicians.
• In response, Banaskantha’s District Collector invited written representations from affected residents by February 2, 2025.
• Officials held numerous talks with local BJP leaders, community groups, and stakeholders to address their concerns.

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4. Reception & Political Messaging

• Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary described this as the “birth” of a new district—celebrated as an opportunity for the development of North Gujarat’s border areas.

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5. Exam-Worthy Highlights