Gajapati district General information
Gajapati is a district of Orissa, India. It was created from Ganjam District in October, 1992.It is named after Maharaja Sri Krishna Chandra Gajapati who significantly contributed to the educational and social development of this region.
Paralakhemundi is the District Headquarter and also the largest town of the Gajapati district. Kashinagara is the second largest town of Gajapati district.
History
Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, Maharaja of Paralakhemundi was the direct descendant of the historic dynasty of the Gajapati kings ruled Orissa for more than seven centuries. During the regime of these kings, the boundaries of Orissa extended from the Ganga in the North to Udoyagiri in Nellore district in the South. Kolahomee, one of the sons of Kapilendra Deo, the Gajapati king of Orissa in the later half of the 15th Century came to this part of Paralakhemundi (then in Ganjam district) and founded the Raj family of Paralakhemundi.
Paralakhemundi is an ancient Zamindari lying in the western corner of the Southern portion of the Ganjam district, and it is bounded in the West by the district of Vizagpatnam and on the North by the Jaipur state and the Eastern ghats which are called Maliyas or tribal agencies. The town of Paralakhemundi is: “a straggling town in plan much like the letter ‘L’ scattered around the foot of the well wooded hill which is the distinctive feature of the place. The horizontal portion of the ‘L’ faces South, and at the corner where the ‘L’ and the vertical portion join, is situated the palace, a most picturesque group of building”. This group of buildings was designed and built by Mr. Chisholm.
Origin of Name
Gajapati district has been named after Maharaja Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deb, the Ex-Raja Sahib of Paralakhemundi estate (the 1st Prime Minister of Orissa State), who is remembered for his contribution in formation of a separate Orissa province and inclusion of Paralakhemundi estate in Orissa. Gajapati district came into being with effect from 2nd October 1992. Prior to this it was a part (Sub-Division) of Ganjam district.
Geography
This district is lying between 180.46’ North & 190.39’ North latitude and 830.48’ East & 840.08’ East longitude. The area is abutting the state boundary i.e. Andhra Pradesh towards South. Ganjam district bound this district on the East, Rayagada district on the West, Ganjam and Phulbani districts on the North.
The district headquarters at Paralakhemundi erstwhile a princely estate, has been clustered within a radius of approximately 05 kilometers around the geometric centre of Paralakhemundi. The District came into being with effect from 2nd October 1992. Prior to this it was a part (Sub-Division) of Ganjam district.
LOCATION
This district is lying between 180.46’ North & 190.39’ North latitude and 830.48’ East & 840.08’ East longitude. The area is abutting the state boundary i.e. Andhra Pradesh towards South. Ganjam district bound this district on the East, Rayagada district on the West, Ganjam and Phulbani districts on the North.
CLIMATE & RAINFALL
Atmospheric temperature varies between 160 to 400 Celsius. The normal rainfall received in the district is 1403.30 mm. The average rainfall of the district during the year 1993 to 2007 is as follows.
SOIL & ROCK:
The major part of the district belongs to hilly terrain and undulated topography, which is inhabited by the tribal. The highest mountain of the district Mahendragiri lies at an altitude of 4,923 feet above the sea level. The soil quality is alluvial, brown, land laterites, clay loam, sandy loam and red soil. The geographical formation of the district is Alluvial, brown land Lateriates, Gondowanas, Newer Dolerites and Archon comprising igneous and metamorphic rocks. The main soil types are clay loam, sandy loam and red soil.
VEGETATION
The soil and climate is suitable for plantation crops and there is a great potential of horticulture development in the district. More than 60% of lands are situated in hilly terrain, which has been treated as high lands, mainly suited for horticulture plantation and other cultivable land belongs to the category of medium lands and low lands.
MINERAL RESOURCES
The mountains contain no exploitable mineral of economic value. However, the major economic minerals in the district are granite decorative stones found in some part of the Paralakhemundi Tahasil.
WATER RESOURCES
The river Vansadhara and Mahendratanaya are two important rivers of Gajapati district. The river Vansadhara originated from Lanjigarh area of Kalahandi district and passes through Kashinagar block and flows southwards along the borderline of Gajapati district. The river Mahendratanaya has originated from the Mahendragiri range and flows in the westward direction through Rayagada block and then to southward direction through Gosani block. Another river Badanadi flows through western part of Mohona block.
FOREST
The total forest area of 2,301.98 sq. km and area of 437.52 sq. km is reserve forest. The major forest products are Timber, Bamboo, Hill Broom, Patala Garuda, Soap nut, B. Kaliakhali, Marsinga leaf, Dhatuki flowers, Kochila seeds, Genduli gum, Siali leaves and Kathalai etc.
INDUSTRY
Except a few agro-processing units, there is no major industry in this district. However some activities of cottage industries like Horn work, Jaikhadi bag, Cane & Bamboo work, Ganjappa Card & Pattachitra Mukha, Broom work & Siali leaf plate making and Tibetan Woolen Carpet contributes some place in the cottage industries of the district.
COMMUNICATION
Paralakhemundi town is situated on the axis of State Highway No.17 connecting Berhampur at one end and Gunupur and Rayagada on the other. Berhampur is situated at 120 KMs. from this place and other urban nuclei like Gunupur and Rayagada are distanced at 60 & 120 KMs. respectively. The nearest National Highway (N.H–5) junction is at around 40 KMs. from this place. There was a narrow gauge railway line (called Naupada-Gunupur Rail line) running through this town. The work of conversion to broad gauge is going on.
ECONOMY
Broadly, this town depicts agrarian economy. The geography and the climate are conducive for production of crops like paddy, sugarcane, sunflower, oilseeds etc. This town behaves as a nodal point for accumulation & marketing of such products produced in the hinterland. The available connectivity to this town needs up-gradation to boost the economy. Paralakhemundi cannot be thought of in isolation without the nearest transport node Palasa (A.P). It connects to the mainstream of state & national economy through Palasa, the major railway junction of East Coast Railway, which plays a catalyst on the economic front.
We have experienced, a chaotic mess of urban functions prevail over the space and eroded the quality of life. The population is marching ahead vis-a-vis the pressure on infrastructure like water supply, electricity, roads and housing is in upward trend.