Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : 11
Sex Ratio Rank : 503
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 507 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 591 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
District affected by Left Wing Extremism
Challenges of the district : Our research
with local communities
Malnutrition is the main issue we are battling.
We find pregnant mothers and children thoroughly malnutritioned.
Infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality rate (MMR) are
high in this district.Health infrastructure is retarded. Malkangiri
requires good health facilities.
Brief About Malkangiri District
The history of Malkangiri seems to be in no way less thrilling
and adventurous than any other place of India. The land of dense
inaccessible forest, small but beautiful rivers, undulating plateaus
and splendorous rich tribal culture. Malkangiri has its history
of human civilization enrooted as long as 2500 years back. Prior
to the modern civilization, many mythological episodes took place
in and around Malkangiri. During the reign of Lord Ramachandra,
Malkangiri occupied an important place in the entire "The
Ramayana". It was the holy river "The Tamasa" and
its environs which encouraged Saint Balmiki to express his internal
feelings in the form of The Ramayana, the holiest book of Hindus.
This place was known as "Malyavantagiri" in the Ramayana.
River the Tamasa flowing out of a cave has derived its name from
a tribal word "TANSA", which means cave.
Banks of this river witnessed the creation of
the largest mythological the Ramayana. The scenic beauty if this
Malyavantagiri has found an important place in the "Dandi
Ramayana" of Balaram Das. The belief of a visit of Lord Ramachandra
is further strengthen by the existance of "Sitakunda"
the bath place of Godess Sita near Mudulipada. Also during the
period of the Mahabharata, this place became the point of attraction
for the Pandavas. They spent their "Angyatvasa"(exile)
for a period of one year in the dense forest of Malkangiri. In
the villages of Koyas, "PANDABOERU"(Pond) are found
which they believe to be used by the Pandavas. Even during the
month of January, "PATAKHANDA PARVA" is celebrated by
the Koyas, a primitive tribal community in which a sword is worshiped.
People believe that this sword belongs to the Pandavas. Also they
celebrate the "Bhimudu Parva" during January in which
"Bhima", the middle Pandava is worshiped and the Koyas
believe the Bhima will save their families. Kanamraju (Lord KRISHNA),
Balaraju (ARJUNA) and Poturaju (BHIMA) are three famous Lords
of this area, who are being worshiped by the people. In every
alternative year, Badayatra, the festival of these Lords is celebrated
throughout the district.
During the period of Indus valley civilization,
a rich civilization was florished along the bank of river the
Tamasa. In the year 1995, some ancient monuments were discovered
from the same place signifying the above face. Also a big "Shiva
Linga" was discovered from beneath the ground, enlighting
a linkage of this civilization with that of Indus valley. The
ancient kings of this place during the early vedic and later vedic
period, worshiped Lord Mallikeshwar after whom they named their
kingdom as "Mallika Nagari". This Mallika Nagari gradually
became Malkangiri in the modern times. One ancient Shiva Temple
now submerged in the Chitrakonda Reservoir was known as Second
Lingaraj of Orissa. This famous Shiva Temple was visited by Sri
Chaitanya Deva during his visit to Nandapur.
Existance of a number of Shiva Temples in and
around Malkangiri signifies the fact that the ancient kings were
shiviests. The founder ruler of Jeypore State King Vinayaka Dev
came from Kashmir and got married to Lilabati, the Princess of
Nandapur. In the path of establishing the kingdom, he faced a
lot of hardship and revolts. Singaraju, the brother of Lilabati
sponsored his sincere efforts to King Vinayaka Dev in suppressing
the rebel groups. King Vinayaka Dev established two new villages
namely Nilakamberu and Singarajukhunta as a mark of respect and
gratitude towards Lilabati and Singaraju. Some ancient monuments
and idols of different Gods were discovered from Nilakamberu.
Malkangiri was florished as a hilly kingdom during the regin of
the "Ganga Dynasty" It was known as "Kumbudiri"
as mentioned by the first Collector of Koraput District Mr. R.C.S.Bell
in gazetter, 1941. There is enough evidence that the wild forest
country of Malkangiri is known for a former civilization. In Kondakamberu
there are two inscriptions recording a gift to the God Nilakantheswar
by the queen of Pandu Singh in the year 1376 A.D.. Kondakamberu
was formerly known as "Kambudiri". During the period
from 1400 A.D. to 1872 A.D. this priencely state was ruled by
as many as twenty six kings. The entire state was divided into
four MUTHAS namely Mout, Podia, Korukonda and Padmagiri. The head
of each mutha was called "MUTHADAR". Each mutha was
further divided into a number of villages of which "PEDA"
was the head. The post of Muthadar and Peda were hereditary and
recogined by the King of Malkangiri. There was always a fear of
foreign invassion for the kingdom for which there was no permanent
place for the Kings. Temporary castles were built for the Kings
in several places of the state. Ruins of such a castle is still
existing over "RajaRani Hill" just in front of Bhairavi
Temple of Malkangiri. An annual meeting was held on the "Vijaya
Dashami" festival at "Sardar Basani Ambatota" of
Deva Dangar. The meeting was attended by all the Muthadar and
Pedas of the State. The King used to preside over this meeting
and all important decissions were discussed in the meetings. The
King delicates power to the Muthadars in this meetings to execute
his decissions. The last Queen of Malkangiri, Bangaru Devi ruled
over here from 1855 A.D. to 1872 A.D.. She defeated King Ramachandra
Deva III of Jeypore by her powerful and extra-ordinarily large
Koya Army. She along with her Koya Army faught bravely against
the mighty Brithsh Army and finally deposed in 1872 A.D. resulting
a complete accession of Malkangiri State into Madras Presidency.
Queen Bangaru Devi tried her best and faught for another 8 years
upto 1800 A.D. to come power but failed. Finally she lost her
life at the age of 70 in the year 1885 after a prolonged illness
for 5 years. In the year 1880 A.D., Tama Dora, a brave Koya youngman
led the Koya troop, defeated the British Police of Malkangiri
and declared himself as the ruler of Podia and Motu. In this incident
one Inspector and six policemen of Podia Police Station were killed.
This incident is famous as "Koya Revolution" and had
its great impact throughout the country.
Colonel Macqoid of Hyderabad ntigent marched
with 100 men to protect more but failed by the sever attack of
the Koya Army under the leadership of Tama Dora. However the efforts
of the brave youngman came to an end when he was brutally killed
in the Rampa Forest near Mout on 28/07/1880 by the Military Police
of Hyderabad and the organised Koya Army was fragmented lacking
a dynamic leadership. After a long gap of 35 years (from 1880
to 1915), rebel groups again tried to fight against British Empire
in and around Malkangiri. Unifying all the small rebel groups,
alluri sitarama Raju established a big Guerrila Troop and faught
against the Brithish Army. Chitrakonda and Kondakamberu were the
Headquarters of Sitarama Raju. He was initially a follower of
non-violence and grasped a good deal of knowledge on Indian culture,
Mythology and religious activities of Hindus. Observing the exploitation
of honest tribals by the British Police and their brutality he
became violent and their and declare direct war against them.
He attacked the young Koya people to join his army by delivering
elocant speech. He became popular in an area from Bhadranchalam
in Andhra Pradesh to Bastar in Madhya Pradesh. Fearing at the
grawing popularty of A.Sitarama Raju, British Tahasildar Bastian
along with a huge English Army arrested Raju but finally relased
him due to pressure from all corners. He, after being released
from police custody made himself involved in direct battle against
the British police. He alongwith his large Koya troop raided the
Raja Bamangi jail and released a freedom fighter Biraya Dora.
In the month of September,1922, two British Army Officers namely
Wrighter and Cobbard were killed and another officer Themoy Heir
was seriously injured by Alluri Sitaram Raju and his troop. In
another incedent in September, 1923; Malkangiri police station
and Treasury were looted by Raju & his group. During the begining
of 1924, Assam Rifles and Malabar Troops were sent to the forest
of Malkangiri for supprerssing the rebels. The troops cordered
Chitrakonda and attacked the Koya Army from all sides. A large
no. of Koya yound fighters were killed and many tribal families
werer tortured brutally by English Army.
Finally A.Sitarama Raju was called for a discussion
with the Collector. But it was a conspiracy. Raju was caught by
the Malabar Troops and tied up with a tamarind tree. Finally by
order of Major Guddal, Malabar Troops fired at Raju and killed
him. The brave episode of Sitarama came to an end with the clear
suppression of Koyas. Again Malkangiri came into National News
when Laxman Naiko, the greatest freedom fighter ever this place
had led the tribals for a non-cooperation movement against the
British. He was a follower of non-violence principle of Mahatma
Gandhi. In 1942 he led a demonstration in Mathili on 21st of August
police opened fire at the peaceful nob killing & demonstrators
namely Nakula Pujari, Samara Nayak, Narasingha Bhumia and Linga
Bhumia. In this incident, a forest guard namely G.Ramaya was killed
for which Laxman Naiko was accused of and arrested. The trial
continued for four months and on 13th November, 1942 the then
Sessions Judge V.Ramanathan put forward his verdict, " Accused
No.1 Sri Laxman Naiko is convicted under sectuion 302 I.P.C. and
sentenced to death subject to confirmation by the Hon'ble High
Court ". Advocate Radha Charan Das of Berhampur and famous
freedom fighter Uma Charan Pattnaik of Berhampur went to Patna
High Court for an appeal which was finally rejected. On 29th March,
1943 the file of Sri Laxman Naiko came to an end when he was hanged
till death in Berhampur jail. It has been studied that the case
against Laxman Naik was weak and it was opened to go for higher
appeal in court of law. But no significant steps were taken in
this regard by any of the famous personalities of that time. Even
it is most unfortunate that the people involved in the entire
process of Laxman Naik's arrest and death penality were able to
get all Government facilities, employment and promotion during
the post indepence period. Prior to 1936, Malkangiri was a part
of Madras Presidency. In 1936, Koraput District from Madras Presidency
merged in Orissa and Malkangiri Tahasil war included in Koraput
District. The first English Collector of Koraput District Mr.R.C.S.Bell
in the year 1941 prepared the Gazetteer of Koraput in which he
described the physical condition,climatic condition and all about
the tribal people of Malkangiri Tahasil. This Tahasil was a part
of Nawarangpur Sub-Division of Korapur District. In 1st January,
1962, Malkangiri Sub-Division came into existence. In 1958, Dandakaranya
Development Project was implemented to settle the refugees coming
from East Pakistan.
This project was continued for 30 years until
it was declared closed in the year 1988. Finally in 2nd October,
1992 Malkangiri got its identity as a District as per Notification
No. 49137/R dated 01.10.1992 of Orissa Government in Revenue and
Excise Department, Orissa, Bhubaneswar which carved out of Koraput
District.
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.
CLIMATE
The Climate of the major portion of the district
which lies in the elevation to the north of the District puts
a great impact to the climatic condition of the Malkangiri District.
The year may be divided into four seasons, the hot season from
March to June, the mansoon season from July to September, the
post-mansoon months October and November, and the cold season
from December to February. December is the the coldest part of
the year with the average daily minumim temperature at 11.2°C.
Both day and night temperature progressively increase after January
till May which is the hottest month. On individual days in May
and June before the onset of the mansoon maximum temperature may
reach over 47°C. Therefore temperature decreases with the onset
of the mansoon. During the mansoon, weather is cool and pleasent
with day temperatures nearly the same as those in the cold seasons.
Humidity is generally high especially in the mansoon and post
mansoon months. In other months, afternoons are comparatively
drier. Humidity varies widely between the mansoon months of July
and August and the winter months of November and December. During
the summer months winds are generally light and blow from directions
mainly between south and west.During the pre-mansoon and mansoon
seasons winds strengthen and blow from a south-westerly or westerly
direction. In the post-mansoon and cold seasons winds are light
and variable. The district is affected by depressions from the
Bay of Bengal particularly in September and October that causes
high wind and widespread heavy rain. A few high wind and thunderstorms
occure in the pre-mansoon months.
