Orissa Review (Census Special) DEBAGARH DISTRICT regal abode of ‘Deb’s of Ganga dynasty, the rulers of ex-state of Bamara, who accepted its suitability as a Capital Headquarters. Later on, it became the sub-divisional headquarters of Debagarh Sub- division being a part of un-divided Sambalpur So far as archives available, Bamara was under district on 1.1.1948. It got its identity and entity the rule of ‘Mathara Royal Family’ in the second of a separate district due to re-organization of half of 10th century A.D. The kings of this family districts of Orissa in 1993. were very powerful, who ruled over Kalinga extending from the Mahanadi river in the north to Debagarh District is located 280 km the Krishna river in the south. The scions of this away from state hqrs Bhubaneswar and 95 km dynasty were found to be the ruler of Bamanda from Sambalpur city, the principal centre of Dandapat under Lordship of the Somavamsi western Orissa, being situated at north-west monarchs of Kosala. A copper plate inscription portion of the State. It lies between 21008¢ N to found from the village Kudopalli in Sambalpur 21043¢N latitude and 84025¢E to 85013¢E reveals that Rankapunja, son of Boda was ruling longitude approximately with an area of 2,940 over Bamanda in the 13th regal year of his over- sq. km. lord Bhima Ratha. Kalachuris of Ratanpur vanquished the Matharas early in the 11th century The present district of Debagarh is carved A.D. after the decline of Somavamsis. After them out of the erstwhile Sambalpur district. It was a during 12th century A.D. the ‘Gangas’ of Utkal princely state before being included in Sambalpur occupied the region and reigned over till the arrival district and has immense contribution to Oriya of the Britishers. literature and pioneered development in same of the sectors like water supply. The district Debagarh is situated in the north-west portion of Orissa being surrounded The population size of the State as per by Sundargarh district (north), Angul district (east 2001 census is 2.74 lakhs of which 50.49 percent & west) and Sambalpur district (south-west). It are males and 49.51 percent females indicating was named as ‘Debagarh’ from ‘Debagan’ the male advantage which is also reflected in another December - 2010 103 Orissa Review (Census Special) indicator i.e. sex ratio (females per 1000 males) percent), Middle (12.7 percent) and without level being 980. The sex ratio for 0-6 years is 956 (1.43 percent). Graduation and above are indicating increasing females being disadvantaged. achieved by only 4.31 percent and Higher The age distribution of population indicates 10.75 Secondary/Matriculation by 18.05 percent of percent in 0-4 years and 23.85 percent in 5-14 population. The work participation rate is 46.06 years. The working age group of 15-59 constitute percent. Of the workers 55.32 percent main 57.54 percent and 60+ and ANS group constitute workers and 44.68 are marginal workers. 8.1 indicating onset of the phenomenon of aging or higher non-reporting of ages. The household The district has one town and 875 number size of this district is 5. Population density is 93, of villages of which 711 number of inhabited the area being 2940 sq.km. The population growth villages. Of the total 58324 households 34.7 rate during 1991-2001, averaged annually, is percent are occupying permanent houses, 41.6 1.72. percent temporary houses and 34.7 percent semi- permanent houses. Out of the inhabited villages The percentage of population classified almost all villages (99.3 percent) have safe as urban is only 7.53 percent, Debagarh town drinking water facility. Electricity is available in being the only urban area. The Scheduled Caste 43.18 percent of villages but only 7.3 percent population of the district 15.37 percent and the villages put it to agricultural use. Primary schools Scheduled Tribes constitute 33.6 percent. The available in 68.5 percent, Middle school in 25.04 major S.C. group of the district according to percent of villages. Secondary school are located percentage of total S.C population are Pan Pano in 11.4 percent and colleges in 1.4 percent of (49.19 percent), Dhoba (14.47 percent), and villages. Medical facility is available in 5.77 Dewar(7.38 percent) and similarly the major percent of villages and post, telegraph etc in 23.9 Tribes are Kisan(26.42 percent), Munda percent of villages. Bus services are available in etc.(17.81 percent), and Gond etc.(15.68 34.88 percent. Paved approach road in 58.9 percent). Hindus constitute 95.42 percent of the percent and mud approach road in 89 percent population, Christians 4.09 percent and Muslims villages. only 0.38 percent. The population growth rate being high The Literacy rate of the district is 60.36 percent. Male literacy being 73.33 and female compared to the state and the low sex ratio as literacy is 47.18 percent. Among the population young ages is major demographic concern. Lot who have attained some educational level, it is more need to be improved on developmental observed that they are distributed as Below indicators like education, health, electricity and Primary (30.21 percent), Primary (33.25 improved road types. 104 December - 2010 Orissa Review (Census Special) Basic Data Sheet District Debagarh * (04), Orissa (21) ( Source: Census of India 2001) Population: Persons 274,108 Number of households 58,324 Males 138,408 Household size (per household ) 5 Females 135,700 Growth (1991 - 2001) 17.02 Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) 980 Rural 254,012 Sex ratio (0-6 years) 956 Urban 20,096 Scheduled Caste population 42,117 Scheduled Tribe population 92,103 Percentage to total population 15.37 Percentage to total population 33.60 Literacy and Educational level Literates Educational Level attained Persons 139,877 Total 139,877 Males 85,620 Without level 2,00216 Females 54,257 Below primary 42,254 Literacy rate Primary 46,515 Persons 60.36 Middle 17,816 Males 73.33 Matric/Higher Secondary/Diploma 25,246 Females 47.18 Graduate and above 6,030 Workers Age groups Total workers 126,260 0 - 4 years 28,645 Main workers 69,848 5 - 14 years 65,367 Marginal workers 56,412 15 - 59 years 157,710 Non-workers 147,848 60 years and above (Incl. A.N.S.) 22,386 Scheduled Castes (Largest three) Scheduled Tribes (Largest three) 1.Pan Pano 20,717 1.Kisan 24,337 2.Dhoba etc. 6,096 2.Munda etc. 16,407 3.Dewar 3,109 3.Gond etc. 14,445 Religionseligions (Largest (Largest three)three) Amenities and infrastructural facilities 1.Hindus 261,544 Total inhabited villages 711 2.Christians 11,216 3.Muslims 1,055 Amenities available in villages No. of villages Drinking water facilities 711 Important Towns (Largest three) Safe Drinking water 706 Population Electricity (Power Supply) 307 Electricity (domestic) 267 1.Debagarh (M) 20,096 Electricity (Agriculture) 52 Primary school 487 Middle schools 178 Secondary/Sr Secondary schools 83 College 10 House Type Medical facility 41 Primary Health Centre 9 Primary Health Sub-Centre 34 Type of house (% of households occupying Post, telegraph and telephone facility 170 Permanent 34.7 Bus services 248 Semi-permanent 23.7 Paved approach road 419 Temporary 41.6 Mud approach road 633 December - 2010 105 Orissa Review (Census Special) District Highlights Ø Debagarh is the 23rd district in terms of size and 30th in terms of population, thus the smallest district in terms of population in the State. Ø Debagarh is the 21st urbanized district in the state having about 7.33 per cent of its population living in urban areas against about 14.99 per cent of state’s population in urban areas. Ø In terms of population per sq. km. Debagarh is the 28th densely populated district in the state. Ø Debagarh has 13th rank in terms of sex ratio in the state. Ø There are only 164 uninhabited villages in the district whereas not a single village is having a population of more than 5000. Ø Tinkbir in Reamal P.S. is the most populated village having 3,962 population in the district. Ø The economy of the district is mainly dependent upon cultivation. Out of 100 workers in the district 78 are engaged in agriculture-sector. Ø Reamal police station has the highest number of villages (251) in the district and Barkot police station has the lowest number of villages (187) in the district. 106 December - 2010.