sign in sign up
<<
Home , Balangir, Sambalpur, Tarbha

Orissa Review (Census Special)

SONEPUR DISTRICT

Balangir, , Titilagarh and Sonepur. The then sub-division Sonepur was constituted with two Tahasils, Sonepur and Biramaharajpur. During 1981-1991 Biramaharajpur Sub-division was Sonepur, which was formerly a chief ship sub- formed taking Biramaharajpur tahasil alone. ordinate to Patna, was constituted as a separate state about the middle of 17th century A.D. The The district is located in the western part state of Sonepur and Patna were under of Orissa between 200 30’ N and 200 10’N occupation of Marathas of since 1755, latitude and 830 27’E and 840 15’E longitude. which were occupied by the East Company The district is bounded by and during the second war early in 1804. districts in the north, Baudh in the south, These states were again restored to the Raja of Sambalpur and Anugul in the east and in Nagpur in 1806. After the third Maratha war, the west. The total area of the district based on these states came under the permanent figures supplied by the Surveyor General of India possession of the British. When the Central is 2,337 sq. kilometers. province was constituted in November, 1861, these states formed a part of new province. From The district of Sonepur is the main 1877 onwards feudatory chief of Patna and attraction of tourists and Hindu devotees. Thus it Sonepur administered their own states. In 1905 presents a culture of assimilation and thus its these states were retransferred to along demographic features may manifest some of its with the district of Sambalpur to form a part of influence. Orissa division. After the merger of feudatory states of Orissa on 1st January, 1948 the ex-state The population of the district is of Kalahandi, Patna and Sonepur were combined enumerated in 2001 Census to be 5 lakhs of which together to form a new district called Balangir 50.86 percent are males and 49.14 percent Patna. Subsequently on 1.11.1949 the Ex-state females. The decadal growth rate during 1991- of Patna and Sonepur were separated and formed 2001 is 1.33 percent arithmetically averaged a new district Balangir with four sub-divisions viz., annually. The area of the district is 2337 sq.km,

184 December - 2010 Orissa Review (Census Special) thus the calculated population density is 232 group constitute 34.82 and 31.77 percent persons per sq km. The percentage of population respectively. Middle and H.S.C level each about living in urban area is 7.39. The Scheduled Caste 13 percent. Graduate and above constitute 3.14 population is 23.62 percent of the total population percent and without any level 3.45 percent. Work and of these the Ganda (56.9 percent), Dewar participation rate is 43.74 percent. Of the workers (20.23 percent) and Dhoba etc. (6.56 percent) 62.75 percent are main workers and 37.25 are the major castes. The Scheduled Tribe percent marginal workers. population is only 9.78 percent. Even among this small segment of Tribes the largest three as The total number of households of the indicated percentage to total Tribal population are district is 115,533. Of the total households 19.3 Saora etc. (28.36), Gond etc. (19.82) and Khond percent occupy permanent houses, 20.4 occupy etc. (14.52). Among the major religious groups semi-permanent houses and 60.3 percent of the district are (99.38 percent), Muslims temporary houses. The amenities available in (0.3 percent) and Christian only 0.26 percent. inhabited villages indicate 99.4 percent villages The major towns are Sonepur(M), (NAC) have drinking water facility and 99.28 percent and (NAC) having population 157,837, have safe drinking water. Electricity is available 16,915 and 15013 respectively. The district has in 73.94 percent of villages that of 62 percent three towns and 959 number of villages of which have it for domestic purpose and 8.2 percent for 829 are inhabited. agricultural purpose. Primary School is available The sex ratio of the district is 966 and in 78.89 percent. Inter Middle School in 25.57 that of 0-6 years 967 females per 1000 males. percent indicating necessity of improvement in The age group wise distribution reflects that the even at lower level. Only 12.06 percent age group 0-4 is 9.66 percent and that of 5-14 villages have Secondary Schools and 0.97 percent years is 23.46 percent indicating some decline colleges. Medical facility is available in 11.1 fertility in recent year. The working age group of percent of villages and Postal communication 15-59 constitutes 57.74 percent and the old age facility in 19.54 percent of villages. Bus services dependants (including age not stated) constitute are available in 17.13 percent of villages and mud 9.14 percent. approach road in 91.92 percent of villages.

The literacy rate of the district is 62.84 The district may be considered as one of percent considering population 7+ years. The the relatively developed districts. But the low sex male literacy rate is 78.94 percent and female ratio is an area of concern. Village levels need literacy 46.17 percent. Looking at educational more attention for development, particularly the level attained, below Primary and Primary level roads and educational facility.

December - 2010 185 Orissa Review (Census Special)

Basic Data Sheet District Sonapur * (23), Orissa (21) ( Source: Census of India 2001)

Population: Persons 541,835 Number of households 115,533 Males 275,601 Household size (per household) 5 Females 266,234 Growth (1991 - 2001) 13.39 Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) 966 Rural 501,767 Sex ratio (0-6 years) 967 Urban 40,068 Scheduled Caste population 128,000 Scheduled Tribe population 52,978 Percentage to total population 23.62 Percentage to total population 9.78

Literacy and Educational level Literates Educational Level attained Persons 291,931 Total 291,931 Males 186,549 Without level 10,086 Females 105,382 Below primary 101,666 Literacy rate Primary 92,739 Persons 62.84 Middle 38,938 Males 78.94 Matric/Higher Secondary/Diploma 39,324 Females 46.17 Graduate and above 9,162

Workers Age groups Total workers 236,980 0 - 4 years 52,316 Main workers 148,695 5 - 14 years 127,120 Marginal workers 88,285 15 - 59 years 312,878 Non- workers 304,855 60 years and above (Incl. A.N.S.) 49,521

Scheduled Castes (Largest three) Scheduled Tribes (Largest three)

1.Ganda 72,830 1.Saora etc. 15,025 2.Dewar 25,897 2.Gond etc. 10,502 3.Dhoba etc. 8,391 3.Khond etc. 7,690

Religionseligions (Largest (Largest three) three) Amenities and infrastructural facilities 1.Hindus 538,472 Total inhabited villages 829 2.Muslims 1,633 3.Christians 1,396 Amenities available in villages No. of villages Drinking water facilities 824 Important Towns (Largest three) Safe Drinking water 823 Population Electricity (Power Supply) 613 Electricity (domestic) 514 1.Sonapur (M) 17,540 Electricity (Agriculture) 68 2.Binika (NAC) 14,539 Primary schools 654 3.Tarbha (NAC) 7,989 Middle schools 212 Secondary/Sr Secondary schools 100 Colleges 8 House Type Medical facility 92 Primary Health Centres 20 Primary Health Sub -Centres 75 Type of house (% of households occupying) Post, telegraph and telephone facility 162 Permanent 19.3 Bus services 142 Semi-permanent 20.4 Paved approach road 296 Temporary 60.3 Mud approach road 762

186 December - 2010 Orissa Review (Census Special)

District Highlights

Ø Sonapur is the 28th district in terms of size and 24th in terms of population. Ø Sonapur is the 20th urbanized district in the state having about 7.39 per cent of its population living in urban areas whereas about 14.99 per cent of state’s population live in urban areas. Ø In terms of population per sq. km. Sonapur is the 12th densely populated district in the state. Ø Sonapur has 21st rank in terms of sex ratio in the state. Ø There are 130 uninhabited villages in the district and not a single village records a population of more than 5000. Ø The economy of the district is mainly dependent upon cultivation. Out of each 100 workers in the district 77 are engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ø police station is having the highest number of villages (298) in the district while Sonapur police station is having the lowest number of villages (76) in the district.

December - 2010 187