Pernem is one of the twelve sub-districts of Goa. Pernem sub-district consists of twenty village panchayats and one municipality. Pernem sub-district is surrounded by Vengurla and Sawantwadi sub-districts of Sindhudurga to the north, Dodamarg sub-district of Sindhudurga to the east, Bardez and Bicholim to the south and the Arabian sea to the west. Villages and towns in the area include Agarvado, Alorna, Amberem, Arambol, Cansarvornem, Casnem, Chandel, Chopdem, Corgao, Dargalim, Ibrampur, Mandrem, Morjim, Mopa, Ozorim, Paliem, Parcem, Pernem, Poroscodem, Querim, Tamboxem, Tiracol, Torxem, Tuem, Uguem, Varconda and Virnora. Penem has two waterfalls, in Mauli Temple area at Sarmale and at Mulvir Temple area at Malpe.
Demographics
, Pernem Municipal Council had a population of 5,021 of which 2,557 are male and 2,464 are female. Children of age 0-6 numbered 402, 8.01% of the total. The female sex ratio is of 964 against state average of 973. The child sex ratio is around 836 compared to Goa state average of 942. The literacy rate is 91.19%, higher than the state average of 88.70%. The male literacy is around 94.65% while female literacy rate is 87.64%.
A chapel was built in 1852 by the Portuguese after their successful Nova Conquistador campaign. It was elevated into a Parish on 2 January 1855. St. Joseph Church was rebuilt in 1864 and renovated in 2002. The Parish has 5 substations constituted of 11 small Christian communities. Fr. Paulo Dias is the Parish Priest.
Hindu Festivals
Pedne is famous for Dussehra. The festival spans 5 days, ending on Dhaulagiri Porrima. On the day of Karakorum Pournima one of Goa's biggest feasts is organised. Temples include Standish Mangar, Bhagawati, Rawalnath, Sateri, Dwarpal, Mauli, Gautameshwar, Narayan, Mulvir, Maruti and Shri Nathan.
Economy
There is no major source of income in the sub-district. The sub-district market is not large. Most of the people depend on other regions for employment. Pernem hosts around 200 small enterprises. The Thursday weekly market is the second largest in North Goa.
Education
The four high schools are Ramakant Khalap School, Viscount of Pernem, Shree Bhagwati and St. Joseph. Higher education is pursued at Govt Higher Secondary, Sapteshwar Institute of Commerce, Arts & Vocational studies, Govt college of arts and commerce, an information technology school and Mandrem College of Commerce by Vikas Parishad. For higher education in Science, Engineering and Medicine students go to other cities.
