Pauri Garhwal district, a part of the Garhwal division is a district of Uttarakhand state with its administrative headquarters located at Pauri town. Prior to the 6^th century A.D the place was controlled by the Kunindas and then it became a part of the Katyuris Kingdom from 6^th to 12^th century A.D. which is clearly proved by some significant ancient records present in the district in the form of temples and inscriptions. After sometime the downfall of the Katyuris was started and at that time the Garhwal region was divided into more than sixty-four principalities controlled by chieftains. These chieftains ruled over the place for a long time. Later, the King named Ajaypal and his successors of the Pal (Shah) dynasty came to the Garhwal and ruled the region for almost three hundred years. During this period the place, Pauri Garhwal witnessed numerous attacks from Kumaon, Mughals, Sikhs, and Rohillas. Whenever, someone unfolds the history of the Pauri Garhwal district, it is obvious to remember the Gorkha invasion which was marked by extreme brutality. Gorkhas ruled the place Garhwal until the arrival of the British. During the period of British rule, under an assistant commissioner Garhwal was emerged as a separated district in the year 1840. Again, in 1960, the earlier Garhwal district was divided into districts of Pauri Garhwal and Chamoli.

Geographically, the district lies at 29°87'N latitude, 78°84'E longitude and 1814 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 63.74% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 5,329 sq km. and it is bounded by Dehradun district, Tehri Garhwal district and Rudraprayag district on the North, Nainital district and Uttar Pradesh on the South, Chamoli district and Almora district on the East and Haridwar district and Uttar Pradesh on the West. The climate of the district remains pleasant throughout the year. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1202.2 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 15 development blocks namely Kot, Kaljikhal, Pauri, Pabau, Bironkhal, Dwarikhal, Dugadda, Jaihrikhal, Ekeshwer, Rikhnikhal, Yamkeswar, Nainidanda, Pokhra and Khirsu. Moreover, it comprises 9 sub-district, 8 towns and 3,473 villages. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 6,87,271 out of which 3,26,829 are males and 3,60,442 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 1103 (females for every 1000 males). During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was -1.41% including -1.28% were males and -1.52% were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 96.11% of the total population. The population density in the district is 225 (persons per sq. km.). According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 97.72%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 11,421 out of which 6,039 were males and 5,382 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 2,816 out of which 1,629 were males and 1,187 were females.

The economy of the district is mainly dependent on agriculture. Most of the lands in the district are use for agricultural purposes. More than half of its population are engaged in agriculture in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are wheat, tea, maize, oilseeds, barley, potato, onion, lemon, apple, mango, peas, etc. The adoption of the new agricultural technologies amongst the famers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from the agricultural products in the district helps in its economy to a great extent. The district is rich in mineral resources as well. Limestone, iron, copper, gold, gypsum, etc are some of the commonly found mineral resources in the district. The district is scantily industrialised but the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand (SIDCUL) has promoted some large and small industrial units. Some of the foremost industries in the district are Shree Sidhbali Industries, Wipro Ltd, Simpex Pharma, Sri Sri Ayurveda, etc. In the year 2017-18 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 9,36,701 lakhs at current price and Rs. 7,46,442 lakhs at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2017-18 was Rs. 8,26,105 lakh at current price and Rs. 6,59,858 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2017-18 was Rs. 1,24,920 at current price and during the period 2016-17 was Rs. 88,574 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012.

The district is well-known as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. Some of the recognised educational institutions in the district are Govind Ballabh Pant Engineering College, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Medical College, National Institute of Technology Uttarakhand, etc. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 82.02% including 92.71% are males and 72.6% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 6,96,500 including 3,85,779 are males and 3,10,721 are females.

Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, a veteran Indian politician and the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh was born on 25^th April, 1919 at Bughani in the Pauri Garhwal district. He was a leader of the Congress party but later he joined the Bharatiya Lok Dal.

The district has several centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. Khirsu, located in the district has a number of snow covered mountains which offer a mesmerising natural view of the Central Himalayas. The ancient temple of Ghandiyal Devta is the identity of this place. Kandoliya, situated almost 2 km. away from Pauri in the district has a temple of Kandoliya Devta, the local 'Bhumi-Devta' which is surrounded by dense forest. Kanvashram, situated on the bank of river Malini at a distance of 14 km from Kotdwara in the district is a historically significant place because once upon a time it was the ashram of Kanva Rishi. Some other places of interest in the district are Doodhatoli, Binsar, Adwani, Tara Kund, Bharat Nagar, Kalagarh, Neelkanth, Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary, Dhikala and many more.