BALANGIR DISTRICT AT A GLANCE

Balangir is located in western Orissa. The district is flanked in the north-west by the Gandhamardan hills and in the north-east by the Mahanadi river. It is spread over 6569 sq. km. Balangir comprises of 14 blocks and 1785 villages. Balangir lies above a dry and hot central table land and receives scanty rainfall. The topography of Balangir comprises mainly of rolling uplands. The predominant soil type is moderately acidic red; patches of black soil are also found. The ground water potential of Balangir is low.

Balangir is the 9th largest district in Orissa. The district occupies 4.2% of the total geographical area of the state. In absolute terms, the forest cover of Balangir is 1647.49 sq. km, i.e. around 25% of the total geographical area of the state. The forests mainly are of a tropical dry variety. The main species found in the forests are: sal, kendu, karada, kurum, teak and bamboo. Balangir is one of the largest contributors to the non-timber forest produce trade in Orissa.

SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES

Balangir has a population of 12,31,000 people. 37.50% of this population is Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Hindus make up for 98.50% of the total population. The rest are Christians and Muslims. The major tribes in Balangir are Gonds; they are the largest tribe in Balangir. The other tribes are Kandhas, Sauras, Lodhas, Dals and Mundas. Amongst the Scheduled Castes, Gandas constitute for 85.10% of the total population. The rest are Dhobis, Ghasias, Doms, Meheras and Chamars. In Balangir, Brahmins, Karans, Khandayats, Chasas and Kultas form the higher caste population. There are as many as 24 dialects spoken in Balangir. Oriya is the main language of communication. According to the Drought Mitigation Cell of Balangir, 61.00% of rural families fall below the poverty line. 41.93% are marginal farmers, 22.68% are small farmers and 25.44% are agricultural labourers.

LAND AND IRRIGATION

Land distribution is highly inequitable in Balangir. 30% of the large farmers own 70% of the agriculture land. The rest are owned by small and marginal farmers. The total irrigated area in Balangir amounts to 8.07% in kharif season and 2.35% percent in ragi season.

LITERACY

According to the 1991 census, the literacy rate of Balangir is 38.6% of which female literacy is 21.3%. Enrolment of adolescent girls in schools is as low as 4%. Among children, only 15.89% of Scheduled Castes and 23.84% of Scheduled Tribes are enrolled in schools.

DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS

Below are listed few of parameters that help to define Balangir's present human development status:

THE DROUGHT FACTOR

There are recurring droughts in Balangir. People in Balangir are more vulnerable to droughts than any other natural calamities. The district is normally subjugated to a five year drought circle. The human, natural and physical loss that comes with these recurring droughts is extremely high. The poor are the most vulnerable to this cycle of drought as they do not possess strong coping mechanisms. This massive loss is normally characterized by high starvation deaths, perpetual indebtedness to exploitative money lenders, massive crop loss, land alienation, distress sale of assets and irreparable damage to the forest resources. The average rainfall in this district is 1443.55 mm, but Balangir receives this rainfall in a very erratic manner, thus making it valueless especially for poor farmers who depend on the rains to irrigate their lands.

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