Intervention in the health sector is
required, as the villagers are unaware about sanitation and hygiene.
Rate of drop out has increased.
Motivation among the underprivileged for primary education is
required.
Infrastructure in the rural areas of the district is very bad.
Brief About Purnia District
Location , Area & Geography
The district of Purnia, as it existed in 1951
with an area of 12784.64 sq. km. and a population of 25,25,231
has been pre-eminently an agricultural district.After separating
the Katihar District, the area of Purnia District was 7943 sq.
km. and accounts for 4.56 % of the state area. In the year 1990
, the district was split two more districts namely Araria and
Kishanganj. Now the present area of the Purnia District is 3202.31
sq. kms. , Bordering Araria district in north, Katihar and Bhagalpur
district in South, West Dinajpur district of W.B. and Kishanganj
district of Bihar in east and Madhepura and Saharsa District in
the west. It is situated between 25 degree 13 minutes 80 seconds
and 27-degree 7 minutes 59 seconds north latitude and between
86 degree 59 minutes 6 seconds and 87-degree 52 minutes 35 seconds
east longitude.
Access (Transportation)
One may access Purnia District using Road &
Train services . The district is connected with National Highway
No. - 31 and the nearest Railway Station is Katihar which has
linked with most of the vital places of the country . Private
as well as State Govt. daily Bus services are available for Uttar
Pradesh , Bengal , Assam , Orisa and Jharkhand . People of these
states may reach here using bus services .
Population & Literacy
The total population of the district as per 1991
census is 18,78,885 of which male and female populations are 9,87,241
and 8,91,644 respectively. The district has 2,34,478 (Male = 1,21,271
& Female = 1,13,207) of Scheduled Caste population and 82,145
(Male = 42596 & Female = 39549) of Scheduled Tribe population.
The population under age group 0-6 is 404360 (Male = 205818 &
Female = 198542) . The literacy rate of the district is 28.52
% (Male = 38.92 % & Female = 16.8 %) . The sex ratio is 903
(903 females per 1000 males) .The district now consists 4 sub
divisions, 14 Blocks, 251 Gram Panchayats, 1296 villages, 1 Nagar
Parishad & 2 Nagar Panchayats.
Hindi is the main language of the district; however,
dialects are in vogue in different parts of the district for day-to-day
use. People of Amour and Baisa blocks, speak Surjapuri. In the
eastern side of Baisi block people speak Polia. Chhika-Chhiki
or Angika is spoken in Rupouli and Bhawanipur and some part of
Dhamdaha, K.Nagar and Purnia East Block. In Banmankhi , B.Kothi
and some part of Dhamdaha. K.Nagar people speak a mix of Maithili
and Chhika-Chhiki. Santhali people speak Santhali. In the east
and South Baisi block Bangla is also spoken. Out siders speak
their own dialects.
The river Kosi and Mahananda and their tributaries
crosses different parts of the district. The tributaries are Parman,
Kankai, Soura, Faryani etc. These Himalayan originated rivers
and tributaries sub-merge with river Ganges.
The tract of land is plain, however, north and
west part is above the south as well as the eastern side of the
land of the district.
Climate and rainfall
The district has a moist humid climate. The temperature
is highest in May, when mercury shoots up to 45.5 degree Celsius
and lowest in January when it is only 8.8 degree Celsius. The
Wettest months of the year are July and August. The average annual
rainfall in the district is 1411.5 mm which is the highest rainfall
in the state of Bihar. The winter starts in November and continues
up to February. Summer starts from April and lasts up to June.
Rains start from 15th May and cool the temperature.
Purnia is popularly known as poor man's Darjeeling.
Soil and Crops
The soil of the district can be called alluvial
or Sandy loam. As the river Kosi popularly known as "River of
sorrow" used to flow in the plains of district freely and used
to change its course frequently from time to time, the district
has the Soil by recent alleviation. The principal crops grown
are paddy, Jute, Wheat, Maize, Moong, Masoor, Mustard linseed,
Sugar cane and Potato. Jute is the most important and major cash
crop of the district. Jute cultivation plays very important role
in the economic uplift of the farmer. Paddy occupies the primary
position and has got more than 60% of the gross cropped area.
The soil and climate of the district is suitable for fruit plants
like coconut, Banana, Mango, Guava, Lemon, Jeck Fruit, Pineapple
and banana.
Livestock
The district of Purnea possesses a larger number
of livestock. Green grasses are available throughout the year.
Purnea district produces largest number of poultry and eggs in
the state of Bihar. The district has a suitable environment for
pig production. But the local animals required for I.R.D. Programme.
The State Govt. has established one frozen semen Bank at Maranga
cattle farm. Frozen semen of exotic breed is being utilised for
cross breeding the local cows of the district. Goat keeping is
very popular among poorest section of people.
Industries
The district has one Sugar mill at Banmankhi
and 716 other small-scale industries. In spite of availability
of raw materials and abundance of laborers, no marked improvement
has been made in the field of rural and cottage industries.
Bank Branches
There are 101 bank branches of different commercial,
Rural and co-operative banks in the district as on 01/04/2000.
