Malkangiri district General information
Malkangiri is a town and a notified area committee in Malkangiri district in the Indian state of Orissa. It is the head quarter of the Malkangiri district. Malkangiri is the new home of the Bangladeshi refugees, who were rehabilitated since 1965 under the Dandakaranya project. Also some Sri Lankan Tamil refugees were rehabilitated in Malkangiri town , following the armed struggle of LTTE in the early 90's (most of them have returned, baring a couple of house holds). Currently it is one of the most naxalite-affected areas of the state.
Origin of Name
The district is named after its headquarters town Malkangiri .During formation of Orissa Province in 1936 Malkangiri was a "Taluk" of Nabrangpur sub-division of Koraput District of Orissa.In 1962 it was upgraded to a subdivision of Koraput District.The present Malkangiri got its identity as an independent district due to reorganisation of districts of Orissa as per notification on 1st October,1992 with effect from 2nd October 1992, an area of 5,791 sq.kms and lies between 17° 45'N to 18° 40'N latitudes and 81° 10'E to 82°E longitude.Oriya is the main spoken language.
Division
The district is divided into two distinct physical divisions.The eastern part is covered with steep Ghats,Platues,Valleys sparsely inhabited by primitive tribes notable among whom are Bondas,Koyas,Porajas and Didayis.The rest of the district is comparatively flat plain broken by a number of rocky wooded hills.Almost the whole of the district is a vast dense jungle. Potteru,Saberi,Sileru,Kolab and Machhakunda are the main rivers flowing in the district.
Climate
The climate in the district is generally cold in the winter and hot in the summer with temperature ranging from 13°C to 47°C. The average annual rainfall is about 1700mm.Relative humadity is generally high especially in the monsoon and post-monsoon months. During the rainy season it becomes impassabaly swampy and heavy floods isolate it from the outer world.It lies within the malaria prone belt.
Location
Malkangiri District came into existance with effect from 02nd of October'1992 after being bifurcated from the earstwhile Koraput District as per Notification No. 49137/R dated 01st of October'1992 of Government of Orissa in Revenue and Excise Department, Bhubaneswar, Orissa. Malkangiri District lies between 17° 45' N to 18° 40' N Latidudes and 81° 10' E to 82° 00' E Longitude and at a height of 641" (feet) form the sea level.
Malkangiri District is bounded by Andhara Pradesh and Chattisgarh.
In the EAST Malkangiri is bounded by KORAPUT(a portion) of ORISSA, VISHAKAPATTANAM and EAST GODAVARI district of ANDHARA PRADESH.
In the WEST Malkangiri is bounded by BASTAR district of CHHATISGARH.
In the NORTH Malkangiri is bounded by KORAPUT district of ORISSA.
In the SOUTH Malkangiri is bounded by EAST GODAVARI and KHAMMAM district of ANDHARA PRADESH.
Area
This district is spread over an area of 5,791 sq. kms (As per Census of India-2001(Provisional)).
Maximum North-South Elongation is 137 kms.
Maximum East-West Elongation is 76 kms.
Soil
Black Soil occures mainly in Malkangiri District. Deep Black in colour, it contains a large percentage of organic matter. It is formed by the decomposition of forest grasses which grows very luxuriantly in the areas. Sandy and Clay type soil predominate the entire district. The soil is generally acidic in nature and alkaline in some patches. The salinity of the soil is normal. The percolated composition of it gives less binding capacity.
Vegetation
The district is possessing dense forest of dry deciduous type. 51.96% of the entire district is covered with forests. The major spceies are SAL, TEAK, PIASAL, SHISAU. Forest of this district yields Timber, Firewood and minor forest products like Tamarind, Hillbrooms, Kendu Leaves, Mahua Flower, Mahua Seeds (Thola), different types fibres, oilseeds and medical plants.
Drainage System
Malkangiri district possesses an undularing topography with a large number of hill streams. The entire rainwater is being drained through a number of small drains which ultimately drains to major rivers such as SABARI, SILLERU, POTTERU, KOLAB, MACHHKUNDA.
Minerals
The major minerals that are found throughout Malkangiri are Tin, Limestones, Black Granite, Asbestos, Micca, Kyanite, Soap Stones
Water Resources
The Major Irrigation Project is Potteru Irrigation Project (PIP) targets to provide irrigation facility to 61,034 Hecter. Canals are running throughout the district. Presently it provides water to 17, 279 Hecter. Minor Irrigation Project is Satiguda Irrigation Project Designed to provide irrigation to 9000 Hect. during Kharif and 5660 Hect. during Rabi. The other Minor Irrigation Projects leads to a total of 21 nos. These Minor Irrigation Projects to provide irrigation to 1442 Hect. during Kharif and 331 Hect. in Rabi. Lift Irrigation Points has been set up throught Malkangiri to provide better irrigation.68 nos. of Lift Irrigation Points are providing irrigation to 1960 Hect.
Hill System
The Chief hills of the Malkangiri District are those that hedge in the valley of the Machkunda throughout its sources. These usually stand about 1000 feet above the bed of the river. The plateau descends into the low-lying tracts of Malkangiri about about 900 feet high at their northen end and gradually falling away in a south-westerly direction to 150 feet high at Motu at the extreme south-western corner of the District. The highest point in the District is in the north-eastern corner, a few miles to the north of Duduma falls, at a height of 3,625. The rest of the District is a comparatively flat plain declining from an elivation of about 800 feet near Govindapalli in the north to under 400 feet in the extreme south. A number of rocky wooded hills break the monotony of the plain. A number of mountains and isolated hills such as the Tulasi at Mathili, the Shulia at Korukonda, the Chitrakuta at Chitrakonda, the Saptadhara at Govindapalli, the Vhima at Daniguda, the Danga at Tandiki, Deva Dangara or Goi at Malkangiri, the Akuru at Akuru and in the border the Golikonda at Bada Dural arise out of these tablelands.
Economy
Major rock groups are Granite, Shale, Quartzite, Sandstone, Limestone, Khondalite, Charnockite, Slate, Phyllite and Marble. Dolomite, Asbestos, Tin and steatite are the important minerals of the district. The district is backward in irrigation in comparison with other districts due to its high hills and dense forests.The soil is poor for cultivation.A project at Balimela is the major Hydro Electric Project in the district. The district is noted for small scale industries(SSI) like Light Engineering and Food Processing.Agriculture is the main occupation of the people.Forestry,Fishing,Beedi and Snuff making are the other occupations of the inhabitants. This is one of the most backward districts of Orissa and deserves a special attention and proper palnning for an all out development.
Culture
Accoring to the cultue and tradition of tribal people have the entertaintment programmes of Dance and songs. The chief attraction is the evening dance and songs. Though tribal people talk in the own language at home, they use regional language in the market places.
Forest
The forests have a great contribution to the economic life of the Malkangiri District.The district is possessing dense forest of dry deciduous type. 31.96% of the entire district is covered with forests.
Tourist Place
Balimela:
Balimela is a block in Malkangiri District, which is 35 kms. from the east of Malkangiri. A Hydero-electric Project has been established near about the Town jointly by the Government of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. A dam is being constructed at Chitrakonda, 25 kms. from Balimela across the river Sileru and the reservoir would submerge a rich forest area of the District. The total inflow into the reservoir is shared equally by the two Governments. The share of the Andhara Pradesh Government is flow downstream the river while that of Orissa Government is diverted to a high-head power some 15 kms. south of Balimela. It is estimated that the power-house is generating 240,000 KW at 60% load factor. The tail water is subsequently utilised for irrigation about 2.4 lakh acres of land in Malkangiri and Motu plains.
Bonda Hills:
Bonda Hill comes under the Khoirputput Block of Malkangiri District. This is the living place of Bondas,the primitive tribal community in Malkangiri District. It is surrounded on all sides by dense hilly forest. The Bondas of the place even now remain nacked, and it is believed that they were cursed by Godess Sita, as they laughed at her while she was bathing in a kunda which is named as Sita Kunda at Bonda Hill. There is one specific festival called "Patkhanda Yatra" at Mudulipada which is celebrated by them in the month of January by the Bondas in which they worship a sword. They believe that this sword is belongs to Pandavas. Apart from these things many more to be seen on the Bonda Hill.
Ammakunda:
Ammakunda is one of the tourist places in Malkangiri District. It is situated at Khoirput Block near about 70 Kms. from the District Headquarter.This cool place embraces a natural water fall and subsequent flow of water forming a narrow gorge. The fishes found in that gorge are quite friendly to the human being and are believed to be the form of Lord Vishnu in " Matsya Avatar". Fishing in that place is not practised according to this belief of the local people of Malkangiri as well as the visitors. Visitors can enjoy their stay at this place by feeding the fishes. This area is surrounded by dense forest and small hillocks.
Motu:
Motu is the southernmost point of the Malkangiri District situated at 150 feet from the see level at the confluence of the rivers Sabari and Sileru.Timbers and bamboos are transported in large quantity from this place down the Sabari and Godavari to Rajahmundary. This Tahasil Headquarter attracts the tourists for it's beautiful "Jagannath Temple" and "Moogi Point"- the extreme south point on the bank of the confluence of the river Savari and Sileru. Difference in colour of the water of these two rivers can be marked even after confluence. A statue of "Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das" is built inside the park near the confluence.
Satiguda Dam:
Satiguda Dam is situated at a distance of 8 Kms. from Malkangiri Town. The Reservoir provides irrigation facility to the near by cultivable land throughout the year. The natural beauty of the Dam can be enjoyed in the early morning and evening hours. Boating facility is also available inside the Reservoir, which attracts visitors as well as the local people. Lord Shiva is being worshiped inside a cave near the Dam. Being surrounded by a large number of small hills this place is considered to be the most favourite picnic spot of the people. A guest house of Irrigation Department of Government of Orissa is built which provides accommodation to the official VIPs.
Manyamkonda:
Manyamkonda is one of the GPs of Kalimela Block and it is situated at about a distance of 90 Kms. from the District Headquarter. This is an important religious place in Malkangiri District as the famous God of the Malkangiri District (Lord Mahaprabhu) is being worshiped at this place.Every year during the month of March/April a festival is being celeberated here.Every alternate year the famous festival known as "Bada Yatra" of Malkangiri starts from this place to Malkangiri "Mauli Maa Temple". Three Gods namely "Kanam Raju" relates to Lord Krishna,"Pota Raju" relates to Vima and "Bal Raju" relates to Arjun are being worshiped in this festival.This place is surrounded by number of small hills. Thel scenic beauty of this place and the temple of the Lord Mahaprabhu arrtacts a large number of religious visitors to this place.
Hill Temples:
Bhairavi Temple is situated at a distance of 3 Kms. from the Malkangiri Town.The hill diety of Malkangiri is worshiped by the people coming from Jeypore and People leaving Malkangiri for their safe journey.A number of religious visitors are attracted to this temple to worship throughout the day. The deity is believed to be worshiped by the King of Malkangiri whose castle's remnants are still found on the Raja Rani Hill just infront of Bhairavi temple. A fomous Shiva Linga is found in the near by "Goi Hill" of Malkangiri Town. During the "Maha Shivaratri Festival" a large religious crowd is being grathered at this hill temple of Lord Shiva. Local people has put efforts in making a safe passage to the hill for the religious visitors.The height of the Shiva Linga is more that 6 feet.It has been observed that this Shiva Linga is gradually rising-up. The famous "Tarini Temple" is situated at a distance of 2 Kms. from Malkangiri town on the way to Jeypore. The scenic beauty as well as the religious importance of this temple attract people of the entire District.