Orissa Review (Census Special) KALAHANDI DISTRICT According to a popular belief, a powerful man of districts. Total geographical area of this district Rajputana named Kalahambir came to this part as supplied by the Surveyor General of India is and ruled it for many years. After his name, this 7,920 sq kms. The district ranked seven in this was called Kalahambir, which in course of time state of Orissa in comparison to other districts in corrupted into Kalahandi. The name Kalahandi terms of area. as stated may literally mean, “Black pot” or it may mean “Pot of arts”. According to another The population size of the district as per interpretation, the name has possibly been derived 2001 census is 13.34 lakhs, of which 49.98 from “Gudahandi” a hill located close to Kokasara percent are males and 50.02 percent females Police Station of the district, in the caves of which indicating female advantage which is also reflected are painted pre-historic paintings in red and black by another indicator i.e. sex ratio (females per colours. These interpretation concerning the origin 1000 males) being 1001. The sex ratio for 0-6 of the name of Kalahandi are, however years is 984 indicating females being conjectural. disadvantaged at early ages. The age distribution of population indicates 11.78 percent in 0-4 years The district of Kalahandi is located in and 22.99 percent in 5-14 years. The working south-west region of the state of Orissa. As age group of 15-59 constitute 57.61 percent and regards geographical region, the district is situated 60+ and ANS group constitute 8.22 indicating between 1903’N and 20018’N latitude and onset of the phenomenon of aging or higher non 82020’E and 83047’E longitudes. The district reporting of ages. The household size of this headquarter town Bhawanipatna is situated at a district is 4. Population density is 169 per sq.km., distance of 418 kms from State Capital the area being 7920 sq.km. The population Bhubaneswar. The district is bounded on the north growth rate during 1991-2001, averaged annually, by Nuapada and Balangir districts, on the east is 17.99 percent. by Kandhamal and Rayagada, on the south by Nabarangapur and Koraput districts, on the west The percentage of population classified by Raipur (Chhatisgarh) and Nabarangapur as urban is only 7.5 percent.The important towns December - 2010 127 Orissa Review (Census Special) of the district are Bhawanipatna((M), Kesinga The district has 4 towns including 1 census (NAC) and Junagarh (NAC). Population of the town and 2236 number of villages of which 2099 towns are 60787, 16917 and 15759 respectively. number of inhabited villages. Of the total 320624 The Scheduled Caste population of the district households 29.3 percent are occupying constitute 17.67 percent and the Scheduled Tribes permanent houses, 7.7 percent temporary houses constitute 28.65 percent. The major S.C. group and 63 percent semi-permanent houses. Out of of the district according to percentage of total S.C the inhabited villages almost all villages (95.86 population are Dom etc. (85.26 percent), Generic percent) have safe drinking water facility. Electricity Castes etc.(2.42 percent), and Ghasi etc.(2.24 is available in 43.21 percent of villages but only percent). Similarly the major Tribes are 7.58 percent villages put it to agricultural use. Shabar(9.88 percent), Khond etc. (45.36 Primary schools available in 62.65 percent, percent) and Gond etc.(21.09 percent). Hindus Middle school in 19.1 percent of villages. Secondary school are located in 10.48 percent constitute 99.02 percent of the population, and colleges in 0.95 percent of villages. Medical Christians 0.52 percent and Muslims only 0.27 facility is available in 10.67 percent of villages and percent. post, telegraph etc in 14.86 percent of villages. The Literacy rate of the district is 45.94 Bus services are available in 21.39 percent Paved percent. Male literacy being 62.66 and female approach road in 39.45 percent and mud literacy 29.28 percent. Among the literate approach road in 85.85 percent villages. population levels attained is distributed as Below The population growth rate being low Primary (33.93 percent), Primary (30.45 compared to the state and the turn around of sex percent), Middle (13.22 percent) and without ratio as indicated by low sex ratio at young ages level (4.15 percent). Graduation and above are is major demographic concern. Lot more need achieved by only 3.49 percent and Higher to be improved on developmental indicators like Secondary/Matriculation by 14.77 percent of education, health, electricity and improved road population. The work participation rate is 46.5 types as it is an underdeveloped district having percent. Of the workers 61.53 percent main high tribal concentration. The lower household size workers and 38.47 are marginal workers. is also note worthy. 128 December - 2010 Orissa Review (Census Special) Basic Data Sheet District Kalahandi (26), Orissa (21) ( Source: Census of India 2001) Population: Persons 1,335,494 Number of households 320,624 Males 667,526 Household size (per household) 4 Females 667,968 Growth (1991 - 2001) 17.99 Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) 1,001 Rural 1,235,275 Sex ratio (0-6 years) 984 Urban 100,219 Scheduled Caste population 236,019 Scheduled Tribe population 382,573 Percentage to total population 17.67 Percentage to total population 28.65 Literacy and Educational level Literates Educational Level attained Persons 513,383 Total 513,383 Males 349,473 Without level 21,29521,290 Females 163,910 Below primary 174,170 Literacy rate Primary 156,321 Persons 45.94 Middle 67,866 Males 62.66 Matric/Higher Secondary/Diploma 75,827 Females 29.28 Graduate and above 17,904 Workers Age groups Total workers 620,950 0 - 4 years 149,347 Main workers 382,050 5 - 14 years 307,070 Marginal workers 238,900 15 - 59 years 769,364 Non-workers 714,544 60 years and above (Incl. A.N.S.) 109,713 Scheduled Castes (Largest three) Scheduled Tribes (Largest three) 1.Dom etc. 201,234 1.Khond etc. 173,542 2.Generic Castes etc. 5,700 2.Gond etc. 80,701 3.Ghasi etc. 5,284 3.Shabar 37,798 eligionsReligions (Largest (Largest three)three) Amenities and infrastructural facilities 1.Hindus 1,322,363 Total inhabited villages 2,099 2.Christians 6,923 3.Muslims 3,592 Amenities available in villages No. of villages Drinking water facilities 2,082 Important Towns (Largest three) Safe Drinking water 2,012 Population Electricity (Power Supply) 907 Electricity (domestic) 618 1.Bhawanipatna (M) 60,787 Electricity (Agriculture) 159 2.Kesinga (NAC) 16,917 Primary school 1,315 3.Junagarh (NAC) 15,759 Middle schools 401 Secondary/Sr Secondary schools 220 College 20 House Type Medical facility 224 Primary Health Centre 49 Primary Health Sub-Centre 198 Type of house (% of households occupying) Post, telegraph and telephone facility 312 Permanent 29.3 Bus services 449 Semi-permanent 63 Paved approach road 828 Temporary 7.7 Mud approach road 1,802 December - 2010 129 Orissa Review (Census Special) District Highlights Ø Kalahandi is the 7th district in terms of size and 12th in terms of population. Ø Kalahandi is the 19th urbanized district in the state having about 7.50 per cent of its population in urban areas against about 14.99 per cent of states' urban population. Ø In terms of population per sq. km. Kalahandi is 21st densely populated district in the state. Ø Kalahandi has 6th rank in terms of sex ratio in the state. Ø There are only 137 uninhabited villages in the district whereas 5 villages are having a population of more than 5,000. Ø Jayapatna a police station Hqrs. is the most populated village (9,233) in the district. Ø The economy of the district is mainly dependent upon cultivation. Out of each 100 workers in the district 80 are engaged in agricultural sector. Ø Sadar police station is having the highest number of villages (336) in the district and Dharamgarh police station is having the lowest number of villages (84) in the district. 130 December - 2010.