Orissa Review (Census Special) BALANGIR DISTRICT The princely state of Patna was an important state into two parts, namely; irrigation plains enjoying in western Orissa under the Chauhans since 14th irrigation facilities due to Hirakud canal system century A.D. Sonapur, which was formerly a chief and Ang medium irrigation project. The hilly areas ship subordinate to Patna was constituted as a have undulating terrain with isolated hill ranges separate state about the middle of 17th century with height of about 3,500 mtrs. The famous A.D. The states of Patna and Sonapur were under Gandhamardan hill range lies in the western side the occupation of Marathas of Nagpur since of the district.A sizeable portion of the district is 1755, which were occupied by the East India occupied by forest, which is mostly found in Company during the 2nd Maratha war early in western and southern parts of the district. Kendu 1804. These states were again restored to the leaves, Sabaigrass, Timber, Mahua flowers, Sal Raja of Nagpur in 1806. After the third Maratha seeds, Bamboos and Hill brooms are collected war, these states came under the permanent from the district by various agencies. possession of the British. When the central province was constituted in November 1861, The river Mahanadi and its tributaries such these states formed a part of new province. From as Tel and Suktel are the principal rivers of the 1877 onwards chief of Patna and Sonapur district. The Tel River flows across the eastern administered their own states. In 1905 these states boundary and joins the river Mahanadi. The Suktel were transferred to Bengal along with the district river originating from the hill ranges on the western of Sambalpur to form a part of Orissa division. side flows through Patnagarh. After the merger of feudatory states of Orissa on st 1 , January 1948, the ex-state of Kalahandi, The district of Balangir lies between Patna and Sonapur were combined together to 20º09’N 21º05' N latitude and 82º41' E to form a new district called Balangir-Patna. 83º42E longitude. It is bounded on the north by Subsequently, on 1.11.49, the Ex-states of Patna district of Bargarh, on the south by Kalahandi, and Sonapur were separated and together formed on the east by the districts of Kandhamal, Boudh, a new district presently known as Balangir. Debagarh and Sonapur on the west by the district The district can be divided into two Nuapada. Area of the districts is 6575 sq.km. distinct physiographical regions, namely rolling According to the census of India, 2001, the plains and hilly areas of western and southern part population of the district is 1,337,194 comprising of the district. The plain areas again are divided 673985 males and 663209 females. The December - 2010 75 Orissa Review (Census Special) percentage of male population is 50.4 and that of The literacy rate of the district is 55.70 percent females is 49.6 percent. The sex ratio of the considering 7+ population . The male literacy rate population works out to be 984 females per 1000 is 71.67 percent for male and female rate is 39.51 males and of 0-6 years population is 967. The reflecting a major gender difference. The total population density is 203 per sq.km of area. The populations who have got some education population growth rate during the decade 1991- constitute 47.72 percent. Of them about 30.77 2001 is 0.85 averaged annually. percent each have studied below primary or primary level. Graduate and above constitute 4.39 The percentage of population classified percent and without level 3.77 percent of the total as urban is 11.54. The major towns are Balangir, educated persons. Middle to higher secondary is Titilagarh (NAC) and Kantabanji. The number reported by 12.58 percent of the persons of households spread over rural and urban areas indicating some level of education. Work is 303,385 providing an average household size participation rate of the district is 41.86 percent. of 4 persons per household. Of the total workers 62.83 percent are main workers while 37.17 percent are marginal Religion wise distribution indicates, workers. Schemes like NREGS have wider scope Hindus constitute 98.19 percent, Christians 1.03 on implementation in such districts, where 58.14 percent and Muslims 0.46 percent . The district percent population is non workers. population is constituted by 20.63 percent of Scheduled Tribes and 16.92 percent of Looking at the housing statistics, it is Scheduled Castes. The major tribes enumerated revealed that only 29.5 percent of households live in the districts are Gond etc. (30.35%) Khond in permanent, 47.7 percent in semi permanent and etc.(29.25 %) and Saora etc. (14.05%) among 22.7 percent in temporary houses. The district the total tribal population of the district. Similarly, has 5 towns, and 1325 villages of which 1764 the castes having highest population are Ganda villages are inhabited. It is revealed from the (66.02 percent), Dewar (10.06 percent) and Census data that 99.89 percent of villages are Dhoba etc. (5.48) considering the total Scheduled having drinking water and nearly 99.89 percent Caste population. have safe drinking water facilities. Electricity is available in 73.13 percent and 52.1 percent have The age composition of a population it for domestic purpose and 15.31 percent only indicates mainly the past trends of fertility and for agriculture. Primary Schools are available in mortality, although migration plays some roles in 94.78 percent of villages and 22.62 percent have it is significant. The population in the age group a Middle School. Only 14.91 percent have 0-4 years constitute 9.81 percent and 5-14 years Secondary/Senior Secondary schools and 1.47 comprise 22.55 percent. The working age percent colleges. Medical facility is available in population of 15-59 age group constitute to 58.09 13.4 percent of villages which mainly constitutes percent and the old age population (including age health sub-centers (11.17 percent). Postal and not stated) comprise 9.55 percent. The old age related facilities are available in 21.4 percent of group needs some attentions for further villages and bus services are 23.9 percent. Paved investigation and supportive action for different approach road is available in 40.5 percent and schemes. mud approach road is 91.16 percent of villages. 76 December - 2010 Orissa Review (Census Special) Basic Data Sheet District Balangir (24), Orissa (21) ( Source: Census of India 2001) Population: Persons 1,337,194 Number of households 303,385 Males 673,985 Household size (per household) 4 Females 663,209 Growth (1991 - 2001) 8.52 Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) 984 Rural 1,182,871 Sex ratio (0-6 years) 967 Urban 154,323 Scheduled Caste population 226,300 Scheduled Tribe population 275,822 Percentage to total population 16.92 Percentage to total population 20.63 Literacy and Educational level Literates Educational Level attained Persons 638,048 Total 638,048 Males 413,224 Without level 24,042 Females 224,824 Below primary 196,334 Literacy rate Primary 202,083 Persons 55.70 Middle 80,273 Males 71.67 Matric/Higher Secondary/Diploma 107,242 Females 39.51 Graduate and above 28,036 Workers Age groups Total workers 559,750 0 - 4 years 131,174 Main workers 351,689 5 - 14 years 301,583 Marginal workers 208,061 15 - 59 years 776,713 Non-workers 777,444 60 years and above (Incl. A.N.S.) 127,724 Scheduled Castes (Largest three) Scheduled Tribes (Largest three) 1.Ganda 149,404 1.Gond etc. 83,711 2.Dewar 22,763 2.Khond etc. 80,670 3.Dhoba etc. 12,395 3.Saora etc. 38,760 eligionsReligions (Largest (Largest three) three) Amenities and infrastructural facilities 1.Hindus 1,312,924 Total inhabited villages 1,764 2.Christians 13,801 3.Muslims 6,138 Amenities available in villages No. of villages Drinking water facilities 1,762 Important Towns (Largest three) Safe Drinking water 1,762 Population Electricity (Power Supply) 1,290 Electricity (domestic) 919 1.Balangir (M) 85,261 Electricity (Agriculture) 270 2.Titlagarh (NAC) 27,904 Primary school 1,672 3.Kantabanji (NAC) 20,095 Middle schools 399 Secondary/Sr Secondary schools 263 College 26 House Type Medical facility 237 Primary Health Centre 47 Primary Health Sub-Centre 197 Type of house (% of households occupying) Post, telegraph and telephone facility 378 Permanent 29.5 Bus services 423 Semi-permanent 47.7 Paved approach road 714 Temporary 22.7 Mud approach road 1,608 December - 2010 77 Orissa Review (Census Special) District Highlights Ø Balangir is the 10th district in terms of size and 11th in terms of population among the 30 districts of the State. Ø Balangir is the 12th urbanized district in the state having about 11.54 per cent of its population living in urban areas while about 14.99 percent of state’s population live in urban areas. Ø In terms of population per sq. km. Balangir is 16th densely populated district in the state. Ø Balangir has 12th rank in terms of sex ratio in the state. Ø There are only 30 uninhabited villages in the district whereas 5 villages are having a population of more than 5,000. Ø Belpara, a police station hqrs., is the most populated village (7,588) in the district. Ø The economy of the district is mainly dependent upon cultivation. Out of each 100 workers in the district 71 are engaged in agricultural sector.