Prepared by: Presented to VIVEK SHARAN, District Magistrate, District Facilitator, Supaul Supaul INDEX Sl Headings Page No No 1 Background 3 2 Historical Perspective 3 3 Geography 4 o Border Area Perspective 4 o Water Resources 5 o Soil 5 o Agro-climatic Conditions 5 o Climate 5 4 Connetivity 6 5 Political & Administration 6 6 Panchayati Raj 8 7 Human Resource 8 8 Demography 9 10 Citizens’Profile 11 11 Area Profile 12 12 Sex Ratio 14 13 Education 17 14 Health 19 15 Women & Child Development 21 16 Sanitation 22 17 Banking 23 18 Development Indicators 24 19 Basic Amenities 25 20 References 26 Vivek Sharan, District Facilitator, Supaul Page 2 BACKGROUND The District of Supaul had been a part of Mithilanchal since the Vedic period. The area has been referred to as the fishery area (Matsya kshetra) in the Hindu mythology. The two oldest democracies namely Angutaran and Aapanigam are known for their existence in the Buddhist era, which comprises of today’s areas of district Supaul. It has a long history of its existence and transformation. Historical Perspective During the by-gone era of Buddhism, area comprising Supaul of present time was famously known for two independent states of Angutaran & Apadnigam. It is mentioned in the Buddhism scripture of Majhim Nikay & Thergatha. Erstwhile Apadnigam area was spread from Bakhtiyarpur to Supaul comprising hundred of markets. Mahatma Buddha stayed in the area for one month. During Palwansh, the area witnessed spread of Buddhism for nearly 200 years whose remainant could be seen even today in idols of ancient temples and folk songs. It is also said that Bhagwan Mahabir also crossed the area. Even though almost all historical places were ravaged by unpredictable Koshi river, yet ancient Brahmi scripture of first century BC was discovered from Aaraha village located near Saraigarh. Fort of Mughal ruler Feroz Shah Tuglaq is located 3 miles north of Nirmali in Ekdara village. Malhad and Karnpur village is related with Raja Malldev and Karna respectively. Famous historical temple of Tileshwar Mahadev is located near Sukhpur village. Saunak village is known as dwelling place of saint Saunak. King Gopal of Palwanshi dynasty ruled whole area of Mithila for several years. It is said that Hardi village was sub-capital of Palwanshi dynasty. King Gopal was fervent follower of Buddhism and was instrumental in forming Palwansh dynesty in west Bengal. Renowned saint Paramhansh Lakshmikant Goswami was born in Parasrama village adjoining Supaul area. Historically rich area of Supaul was ruled by Palwansh dynesty for hundreds of year. Even after annexation of Vaishali by King Ajatsatru in 484 BC, one part of Angutaran state comprising present day area of Supaul remained independent. However, Supaul area along with entire north Bihar came under rule of Magadha kings and later under Mughal rulers. After downfall of Mughal regime, Supaul area became part of British rule and underwent numerous geographic changes. In 1793 AD, several villages were merged with Bhagalpur while in 1838 AD three ‘pargana’ of Naradigar, Malhanai & Nihshankarpur Kuda were separated from Tirhut and added to Bhagalpur area. Administrative and strategic location of Supaul led to the formation of Supaula sub-division by Britishers in 1870 AD. After 121 years existence as sub-division, on 14th March 1991 Supaul was made district of Bihar. Vivek Sharan, District Facilitator, Supaul Page 3 Geography Supaul is situated at 25037'-26025' N latitude and 86022' – 87010' E Longitude. Soil is alluvial type. The river Koshi flows through the district which is considered as the sorrow of the not only this area, but whole of the state of Bihar. Tilyuga Chhaimra, Kali, Tilawe, Bhenga, Mirchaiya, Sursar are the tributaries to it. The type of soil is sandy. Somewhere it is acetic and somewhere it is basic in nature. Supaul District in Bihar covers an area of 2,420 sq km. Supaul district is a part of the Kosi division. Supaul town is the administrative headquarters of the district. The district is bounded by Nepal in the north, Saharsa in the south, by Araria district in the East and on the west by Madhubani district. BIHAR Supaul Basantpur 150153 Nirmali 75935 Raghopur Saraigarh Bhaptiyahi Pratapganj 160887 102761 80270 Chhatapur 215493 Kishanpur Marauna 135586 113192 Pipra Tribeniganj 157779 248706 Supaul 291816 Border Area perspective Supaul is a bordering district to Nepal having an international border of 54 kms stretching from Ratanpura of Basantpur Block in the east to Nirmali in the west. A wide stretch of about 10 kms riverine area of Koshi length falls within the tirritory of this district. There is no puuca road or bridge at all in this area making access next to impossible. There are fair weather roads through sand dunes within this area which can be approached on foot by crossing many a tributaries of the Koshi river by dingi (small boat). There is no electricity and basic human infrastructure facilities in this area. These difficulties make the area a suitable habitat for the criminals and outlaws of international gangs. The complete riverine area and the adjoining villages, even out side the riverine area is highly volatile and bears a threat to the law & order situation of the district. Vivek Sharan, District Facilitator, Supaul Page 4 Since Madheshi Andolan is on an uprise in Nepal countering the Maowadi Andolan, men from both the parties take shelter in the bordering area of the Supaul district making a big threat to the law & order situation of the district. Again, some percentage of population of the Indian side has trade and personal relations with their Nepali counterparts. Their cross border movements provide a good camouflage to the outlaws. Hence the priority before the district administration is the proper policing of the entire border area. This requires primarily to strengthen the basic infrastucture facilities of the existing police thana and outpost such as construction of barrack, thana bhawan, residential quarters, lighting arrangement etc which presently sans there. There are two thana and one outpost each in both the bordering blocks. they are Birpur PS, Ratanpura PS, Bhimnagar OP in Basantpur block of Birpur Sub-Division and Nirmali PS, Kunauli PS, Dagmara OP in Nirmali block of Nirmali Sub-Division of this district. The district Head Quarter of Supaul is situated on the east side of the Koshi river whereas Nirmali Sub-Division is on the west side of the river. We use to visit Nirmali via Barauni-Darbhanga-Jhanjharpu covering a distance of about 300 kms either by Rail of Road. Since the whole area is highly flood prone and the floods of 2007 & 2008 have completely damaged the existing road network. Water resource- Supaul district has abundant water resource both surface and ground water. There are number of rivers and rivulets, perennial in nature, flowing across the district such as Sursar, Bhenga, Mirchaiya, Kali, Tilyuga, Gera, Dhemra, Hahiya etc. Certain waterlogged areas are most suitable for pisiculture and Makhana cultivation. In most part of the district the subsoil water is only 10 feet shallow. This is due to the high bed level of the Koshi River which compels the seepage of water round the year. The seepage water flows to the downstream country side in shape of nala/dhara and this too is very much useful for irrigation purposes. Some seepage water flows and logs in the low lands in shape of ponds, tanks and lakes and are used for irrigation and pisicuture. The subsoil water is so sufficient that a boring having one length of pipe and 5 feet filter is difficult to exhaust even with a five HP diesel pump set. Above all there are irrigation canal network that can give tremendous results with minor repairs and regular maintenance. The main occupation here is agriculture and its allied activities namely dairy, goatery etc. Soil The district has, by and large, alluvial and sandy soil with a varying nature of acetic or basic. Though it is deficient in mineral such as Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium, it can be supplemented with suitable fertilizers. The PH factor of soil varies from 5.5 to 8.5. The soil is suitable for paddy, wheat, pulses, sugarcane, vegetables and jute. Horticulture is a self sustainable phenomenon here. Agro Climatic Conditions- The district has a very suitable agro climatic condition for cereals, horticulture and vegetables. Two crops of paddy are grown here without much effort. Wheat and pulses gain a very good yield over here. The climate allows round the year vegetable cultivation of cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, radish, chili, capsicum, beans and long beans, gourd, potato, onion, coriander, turmeric, ginger, Garlic etc. The staple cereal of this district is rice. Horticulture has a very high potential in mango, litchi, banana, papaya, guava, Jackfruit etc. Seasons and Climates The climate of Supaul is highly induced by the Himalayan Terrain. Rains are very frequent here. Summer falls between April and June. The average temperature stands for 300C. The atmospheric pressure comes down up to 980-990. The moisture in the air decreases sharply. At the end of summer Vivek Sharan, District Facilitator, Supaul Page 5 Northerly and Southerly winds replaces the Westerly winds followed by thundershowers and scanty rains. Storms hailstorms and low potential tornadoes are common feature of the area. The monsoon arrives normally in mid June decreasing temperature up to almost 100 C and increasing the Moisture content in the air to 80-90 percent. The average rainfall range is 140-160 mm. The winter is the most pleasant season stays from November to February. We may say, in general, Supaul has a good climate compared to other parts of the state. Connectivity:- Roads and Rail The communication is very poor at present.