Background of the Project Area :

1. Demographic details :

Total Area : 351.70sq.Km.
Population : Scheduled Tribes Scheduled Caste Others

Total Male Female Male Female Male Female
25,013(12,491 + 12,522) 7,842 7,988 2,405 2,397 2,244 2,137
Urban Population: Rural Population: 25,013

Literacy:

Male Female Total
3,535 634 4,169

Male Female Ratio:

2. Total area of the Block - 632.66 Sq.Km.

3. Population : Scheduled Tribes Scheduled Caste Others

3.1 Total 6,856

4. Literates : Male 10,824
Female 2,580
Total 13,404
(Source- Census of India - 1991, Series - 19)

5. Total Forest Cover : Phulbani Division : ( In sq. km.)

Reserved Forest : 1,603
Demarcated Protected Forest : 719
Undemarcated Protected Forest : 1,536
Unclassified Forest : 1

Total 3,859
(Source - Gazetteer of India, Orissa - Boudh Kandamal-1983)

6. Formation of Grain Bank:
The people of these villages are not dependent on the other villages. To some extent they are self-sustained.The villagers also organise themselves and discuss in a forum to overcome their problems.

7. Education Centres:
Education is the key factor for development of their skills. Now the people are aware and are taking steps to ensure proper functioning of the government educational institutions. The children of our former centres have joined higher education.

8. Forest Protection Committees:
The people of these areas mainly depend on the forest resources and it has contributed a lot to their livelihood. The forest degradation in this area is very high. To check this situation, we have formed Village level forest committees which has taken the responsibility to save the forest. These committees have saved about 234 Ha of forest.

9. Formation of Mahila Mandals:
The women play a vital role in the management of a family. 17 mahila mandals have been formed and are working to enforce prohibition and are lobbying for raising price of minor forest produce.

10. Formation SHGs :
Formation of SHGs has raised their savings potential and the members are using the money for their economic development.

11. Watershed development Programme:
There has been a holistic development of land, water and agriculture.

12. Excavation of Tanks and WHS:
This has raised the water table in the area besides the villagers using it for pisciculture.