Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : Does not figure in list of 447 backward
districts
Sex Ratio Rank : 548
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C (HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 533 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 193 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Challenges of the district : Our research with local communities
Women of Champawat face lot of hardships. Their
literacy is very poor. Women are not allowed to go out and earn
a living. They are expected to look after the house and family.
Champawat being a hilly region it is difficult to travel around
the village. Men migrate to other places in search of jobs leaving
their families to fend for themselves. Due to iron deficiency women
are anemic. They still follow the primitive method of cooking i.e.
chulha which affects their health. Due to lack of education they
are not empowered. Government policies are not implemented properly
that is causing major development retardation.
Brief About Champawat District
The district of Champawat constituted in the year1997 is situated
between 29 degree 5 minutes and 29 degree 30 minutes in northern
altitude and 79 degree 59 minutes and 80 degree 3 minutes at the
center of eastern longitude. The Ram Ganga River acts as a border
between Champawat and Pithoragarh in north while Jabgura and Pannar
rivers in south and west act as a border between Champawat, Udham
Singh Nagar and Almora districts simultaneously. The long chain
of mountain in southwestern region acts as a border between the
district Champawat and Nainital district. It is important from
the defence point of view as in the east Kali river acts the international
border between Nepal and India. The geographical coverage of Champawat
is about 1613 sq. km. It includes two Tahsil and four development
blocks and 691 revenue villages. The district owes its name to
King Arjun Deos daughter Champawati. Earlier this district was
a part of district Almora. In 1972 the Champawat Tahsil of Almora
district was transferblack to Pithoragarh. On 15th Sep, 1997 Champawat
district was given an independent identity. Historical Back ground
Since the time in memorial Champawat district is having it’s own
importance in terms of religious and social aspects. It is believed
that Champawat district is the source and origin of religion and
culture of Uttaranchal. In the ancient time this region was the
origin of Naga, Kinnar and Khas Raja’s. The available historical
pillars, manuscripts, archeological collection and folk-lore describe
the greatness of the area during the period of Maha Bharata. Barahi
Temple of Devidhura, Tarkeshwar Mandir of Champawat, Vanasur Fort
of Vishung, Baleshwar Mandir of Champawat, Sapteshwar Mandir of
Sipti and Ghatotkasha temples are believed to be of the great
period of Maha Bharat. The ample evidence is also available about
the Katiyur dynasty, and its prosperity in ancient times. There
is a belief that the king Brahma Deo was having his capital at
Suie and his contemporary King Raja Arjun Deo was having his capital
at Daman Kot. The marriage of the daughter of the King Arjun Deo
with Sam Deo opened a door for Chandra dynasty in this region.
In around 1790, with the establishment of the Gorkharaj, the Chandra
Vansha came to its end. In 1814, the Britishers forced the Gorkhas
to leave the place. In the history of Indian independence the
history of the warriors of this region has been written in golden
letters for their sacrifices.
TOPOGRAPHY
Champawat mainly consists of mountain ranges, large
valleys, uneven landscapes, breaked cliffs, rivers and rivulets.
The important rivers are Ladhia, Sharda, Lohawati, Panaar. Jagbura
and Ramganga. All these rivers amalgamate with Kali River at Pancheswar.
Only the Sharda river which goes to Terai area flows through.
on the basis of geographical distribution it can be divided in
three main parts. First one, the 35 villages of Tanakpur (Purnagiri)
Tehsil fall in Terai area and are important from the view point
of plain and agricultural land and a warm area of an average height
of 200 to 250 meter, having abundance of water and good soil.
Second one is Shivalik which is situated at a height of 250 to
1200 meter. It represents a sloping and uneven topographical land
consisting of dense forests. Third one is hilly area the average
height of 1500 mts ( from 1200 to 2200 mts).
CLIMATE
The climate of the district is very differential. Terai area is
hot whereas the hilly region is comparatively cold. High mountain
ranges are coveblack with snow. The climatic condition of Terai
and plains are similar, the seasonal rain is very high (about
20 cm. yearly). Summers are too hot and winters are too cold and
foggy in Terai region. The climate of Shivalik is more or less
same but the lower region of Himalayas experience cold climate
throughout the year. In summers, Champawat district is pleasant.
The temperature varies from 1 degree Celsius in the year to 35
degree Celsius. Summer months are May, June and July whereas Dec
and Jan are very cold.
