CHAPTER-III

PEOPLE AND DEMOGRAPHY

Population Size
The natural beauty of Rayagada District fills one‟s heart with immense
joy and thrills. The emerald valleys of the river Nagavali and the
Vamsadhara, vast stretches of hills, evergreen forests, perennial streams,
stiff and massive rocks and the rocky river beds; are attractive features of
the District.
Rayagada is a mineral-rich District in the southern part of the state of
Odisha. The city Rayagada is its headquarters. The population of the
District mainly consists of tribals. The Kondhas form the majority of
population followed by Souras. Apart from Odia which is the official
language, several tribal languages like Kui, Kondha and Soura are spoken
by the indigenous population of the District.
Rayagada District has a geographical area of 7584.7 kilometres which
is the 8th District of the State in terms of its size of 21st in terms of the
population of the State. As per 2011 census the population of Rayagada
District is 9,67,911 of which 4,71,960 are males and 4,95,951 are females.
The District has a population which is roughly equal to the nation Fiji or
the US State of Montana. (Source: Wikipedia).
Population Growth Rate
As per census 2011, Rayagada District has a decadal growth of
population (from 2001–2011) at 16.46 per cent which has gone up compared
to the decadal growth (from 1991–2001) which was 15.27 per cent.
Population Density (Per Square Kilometre)
Population density in Census 2011 works out to be 137 showing an
increase in 19 points from 2001. Among the blocks, Kashipur (290) turns out
to be the most densely inhabited followed by Rayagada (205) in 2011
Census. The lowest density of population is recorded in Gudari (56) and
Padmapur (66). In urban areas, Rayagada Urban (3818) turns out to be the
most densely inhabited followed by Chandili (3588).
Distribution of Population
Rural population constitutes 84.82 per cent and urban population 15.18
per cent of the total population. Kashipur block (14.53 per cent) has the
highest proportion of rural population and Chandrapur Block has the lowest
rural population. Rayagada has the highest population in urban area and
K.Singpur (0.48 per cent) has the lowest proportion of urban area.
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Sex Ratio (No. of females per 1000 males)
The Sex Ratio in the District which was 1028 in 2001 has increased by
23 points to 1051 in 2011 Census. In rural area, the sex ratio has increased
from 1038 to 1064. The corresponding increase in urban areas has been of
13 points from 968 to 981. Rayagada has recorded the highest sex ratio in
respect of total population (1051) and also highest in Odisha State.
K.Singpur Block (1128) and K.Singpur (CT) (10100 has recorded the highest
sex ratio in Rural and Urban Population respectively. The lowest Sex Ratio
in rural area has been recorded in Muniguda and Chandrapur block (1015).
The corresponding value in urban areas has been returned in Chandili (CT)
(990).
Child Sex Composition
2001 2011
Child Population (0 – 6 Age) 17.51per cent 15.34per cent
Boys Population (0 – 6 Age) 17.92per cent 16.02per cent
Girls Population (0 – 6 Age) 17.10per cent 14.70per cent
Demographic profile
The following table indicates the demographic profile of Rayagada
District from 2001 to 2011.
Demographic Profile of Rayagada District (2001 to 2011)
Sl. Population Demography As per Census 2001 As per Census 2011
No (Provisional)

1 Total Population 8,31,109 9,67,911

2 Male 4,09,792 4,71,960
3 Female 4,21,317 4,95,951
4 Population Growth 16.40 per cent 16.46 per cent
5 ST Population (56.04 per 4,63,418 5,41,905
cent )
6 ST Male 2,24,908 2,59,040
7 ST Female 2,38,510 2,82,865
8 SC Population (14.28 per 1,15,665 1,39,514
cent) (13.61 per cent) (14.41 per cent)
9 SC Male 57,265 68,068
10 SC Female 58,400 71,446
11 Total No. of families 1,88,499
12 No. of BPL families (72per 1,35,785
cent)
13 Per Capita Income Rs. 5300
14 Agriculture labourers 1,16,816
(as percentage of total (18.7 per cent)
working population)
15 Population density / 118 137
Squarer Kilometre
16 Proportion to Odisha 2.26 per cent 2.31 per cent
Population
17 Sex ratio per 1000 Male 1028 1051
population

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18 Total Literates 2,47,829 4,07,735
(30 per cent ) (42.12per cent)
19 Male Literates 1,62,061 2,41,959
(40 per cent)
20 Female Literates 85,768 1,65,776
(20 per cent)
21 Maternal Mortality Rate 31 (Per 1000)
Source: HMIS-2011-12
22 Infant Mortality Rate 79 (Per 1000)
Source: HMIS-2011-12

Sl. Geographical As per Census 2011

As per Census 2001
No Demography (Provisional)
1 Geographical Area 7073 Square Kilometre 7073 Square Kilometre
2 Forest Area 3197 Square Kilometre 3197 Square Kilometre
3 Rainfall (MM) 1521.8 1285.9
4 Railways. 207 Kilometre 207 Kilometre
5 No. of electrified villages. 979 1926

Important feature of population growth since 2001 to 2011

1. Rayagada is the 8th District in terms of size and also 21st in terms of
population in the state of Odisha, The population of Rayagada District as per
2011 Census is 9,67,911 of which 4,71,960 are male and 4,95,951 are
females.
2. There are 197 uninhabited villages in the District whereas two villages
are having a population of more than 5000 each.
3. Padmapur is the most populated village having 6654 population in the
District.
4. Kashipur block is having highest population and Chandrapur block is the
lowest one.
5. Rayagada is the 10th urbanized District in the State with only 15.18 per
cent of its population living in urban areas as against 16.69 per cent of
State‟s population living in urban areas.
6. Male population is dominated by that of female population in all rural and
urban blocks in the District.
7. Kashipur block is having the highest no. of males (68,291) and females
(72,342) in the District.
8. Chandrapur block is having lowest no. of males (20,416) and females
(20,713) in the District.
9. Rayagada police station is having highest no. of villages (334) and
Andirakanch Police Station is having the lowest number of villages (41) in
the District.
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Scheduled Caste Population
The total Scheduled Caste population returned in Census 2011 is
1,39,514 out of this, 1,16,657 are in rural areas and 22,857 in urban areas.
In terms of population, the SC population constitutes 14.41per cent of the
total population. The proportion during the last decade was 13.62 per cent.
There has thus been an increase of 0.79 per cent points during the last
decade. The highest proportion of Scheduled Caste has been recorded in
Kashipur Block (3.04 per cent) and the lowest in Gunupur Block (0.40 per
cent). The Scheduled Caste population in absolute numbers has increased
by 23,849. This constitutes a decadal growth of 2.46 per cent. The highest
number of Scheduled Caste has been recorded in Kashipur Block (29,403)
and the lowest in Gunupur Block (3,842). In terms of gender composition,
there are 68,068 male Scheduled Caste (Rural-56,888 and Urban-11,180).
Female Scheduled Caste numbered 71,446 (Rural-59,769 and Urban-
11,677).
Scheduled Tribe Population
The total Scheduled Tribe population returned in Census 2011 is
5,41,905 out of this, 5,22,208 are in rural areas and 19,697 in urban areas.
In terms of proportion, the Scheduled Tribe population constitutes 55.98 per
cent of total population. The highest proportion of Scheduled Tribes has
been recorded in Kashipur block (8.71 per cent) and the lowest in (2.93 per
cent) in Padmapur block. The Scheduled Tribes population in absolute
numbers has increased by 78,487. This constitutes a decadal growth of
16.94 per cent. In terms of gender composition, there are 2,59,040 male
Scheduled Tribes (Rural–2,49,459 and Urban–9,581) and female Scheduled
Tribes numbered 2,82,865 (Rural–2,72,749 and Urban–10,116 ).
Literacy Rate
Literacy Rate in Rayagada works out to 49.76 per cent (Rural–44.40
per cent, Urban–78.0 per cent). There has been an increase of 13.61 per
cent points in the literacy rate. The male literacy rate of the District works out
to 61.0 per cent (Rural-56.2 per cent, Urban–85.6 per cent). Thus, there has
been an increase of 12.8 per cent male literacy rate. The female literacy rate
of the District works out to 39.2 per cent (Rural–33.5 per cent, Urban–70.40
per cent). Thus, the female literacy rate has been increased only by 14.6 per
cent.
Castes and Tribes
Scheduled Caste
In Rayagada District, out of 2676 number of inhabited village, SCs are
found in 1057 villages. The ethnic composition of these villages reveals that
in 744 numbers of villages, SCs are living together with STs and non-
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scheduled communities. As per report of 2001census, 23 villages of the
District are exclusively inhabited by SC communities. In urban area, SCs are
found in 45 Wards out of 48 Wards. In this District, as many as 50 SC
communities are found. The SC communities having population more than
1000 each are Domb, Dhoba, Reli, Pano, Kondara, Jaggali, Bauri and
Dewar.
Bauri
The Bauris are a low class of Odia basket-makers and more familiarly
known as Khondala. They claim that palanquin bearing is their traditional
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occupation and consequently call them „Bhoi‟. Earlier, the Bauris used to
occupy a position lower than the Kandaras, but now they are considered as
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higher than the Kandaras.
Dhoba
Their population in Rayagada Districts is 3919 (2001 census) and the
nd
2 largest S.C. community. Their traditional occupation is washing of clothes
of caste Hindus for their wage earning. They do not get the service of
Brahmin and barber. But their level of literacy is higher than other SCs.
Domb
The Domb with total population of 88,044 (2001 census) constitutes the
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largest SC community. The word is believed to be derived from “Dumba”
meaning Devil. The traditional occupation is weaving and menial job. They
work as middle-men, money-lenders and small traders of the Dongaria.
Relation between Dongaria and Domb is symbiotic.
Jaggali
They are primarily leather workers who speak both Telugu and Odia.
They are treated as untouchable by the caste Hindus. They do not get
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service of the caste Hindu during their religious ceremony.
SCs have reservation in job and all Government benefit schemes.
During 6th Plan Period, a new approach called SC Component Plan (SCP)
with cent percent financial assistance from Central Government was adopted
to strengthen the economic base of SCs
Kondara
Their number is 1658 as per 2001 census. They do not get the service
of Hindu Brahmin, barbers and washer men of localities. Their traditional
124
Thurston, Vol.II, p.175; Quoted in N. Senapati and N.K. Sahu (Eds.), (1966), op.cit., p.90.
125
N. Senapati and N.K. Sahu (Eds.), (1966), op.cit., p.90.
126
Ibid., p.92.
127
Ibid., p.93.
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priest is called Vaisnavas. They use the surname “Mallick”. Their primary
occupation is to work as daily labourer, fishing, net-weaving.
Panos
Even though Panos are numerically the largest S.C. communities of
Odisha, they are the 4th largest number of S.Cs. in the District. As per 2001
census, their number is 2417. Panos are confined to Soura tribe
concentrated area of Puttasing. Most of them have adopted Christianity.
They have good interactions with Souras and outsiders for their livelihood.
Relli
The Rellis with a total population 3213 (2001 census) have migrated
from Andhra Pradesh. Their traditional occupation is fruit and vegetable
growing and selling. They live in separate wards in ULBs or at a corner of
the village.
Scheduled Tribes
The tribes of Rayagada District can be broadly divided into the following
three broad divisions:
Real primitive tribe
These tribes are isolated and distinguished from the non-tribal people
and in some cases also from other tribes. They maintain a language of their
own and have manners, customs and practices, dresses and appearance
which are uniquely distinctive of them. They mostly have an unstable
economy, such as depending on shifting cultivation and are largely
dependent upon the forest. They do not stay in one village for generations
together but when the adjoining areas are no longer suitable to make a
living, they desert the place and settle in another place. Most of them speak
a Dravidian tongue.
Tribes in transition
These tribes have come closer to the outside civilization and have
adapted themselves to the civilized society in different ways. They readily
adopt the economic system of the civilized society, but their social
organization is less responsive to change. They speak their own tribal
language while talking among themselves but they talk either in Odia or
Desia with outsiders.
Assimilated tribes
These tribes have been completely assimilated with the Hindu society
and their status has become equivalent to one or other of the established
castes. They speak either Odia or Desia even when they talk among

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themselves. They have adopted the dress and ornaments of the Hindus and
also practice the Hindu religion though in most cases they have their local
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gods.
Out of different Scheduled Tribes of Rayagada District, Kandha, Paraja
and Saura occupy the largest portion of scheduled tribe communities.
The Kandha
In Odisha, the Kandha is numerically the most populous tribe. It is a
major tribe of the State as well as the country. Though their population is
unevenly spread across the State, they are mainly concentrated in south
Odisha particularly in Rayagada, Boudh and Kandhamal Districts.
The word „Kandha‟ seems to have been derived from the Telugu word
„Konda‟ meaning a small hill as well as the hill-men. Originally they were hill-
dwellers. Kandha is the name the non-tribal people seem to have given
them as a matter of individual description. But the Kandhas identify
themselves as „Kui Loku‟, Kui enju‟ or „Kuinga‟ because they speak „Kuvi‟ or
„Kui‟ language belonging to Dravidian linguistic group. „Kuvi‟ and „Kui‟ are
two regional linguistic variations. While „Kuvi‟ is spoken by a majority of the
Kandhas of undivided Koraput, Kalahandi and Bolangir District, „Kui‟ is
spoken by the Kandhas of Phulbani District. Kuvi appears to have original
structural composition while Kui, is an acculturated and transformed form of
Kuvi language.
On the basis of socio-cultural characteristics, the Kandhas may be
divided into several groups such as Desia Kandha, Dongaria Kandha, Kutia
Kandha, Sitha Kandha, Buda Kandha, Pengo Kandha, Malua Kandha etc.
Among the several sections of the Kandha communities, two sub-sections
such as Kutia Kandha and Dongaria Kandha have been identified as
particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs).
The name Kutia Kandha refers to their house floor which is about 2ft
below the level of the village road and this low lying floor of the house is
known as „Kutti‟. Accordingly, they are named as Kutti-dwellers or Kutia
Kandha. They mostly inhabit the Tumudibandha Block of Kandhamal District
and Lanjigarh Block of Kalahandi
District.
The word „Dongria‟ in Kuvi
language means „Hill‟. As Dongaria
Kandhas inhabit the high altitude hilly
terrain of Odisha, they are popularly
called as Dongaria Kandha. They are

128
N. Senapati and N.K. Sahu (Eds.), (1966), op.cit. pp-97, 98
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mostly found in Bissamcuttack and Muniguda Blocks of Rayagada District.
Other sub-groups of the Kandha tribe like Sitha Kandha, Buda Kandha,
Desia Kandha and Malua Kandha live in Koraput, Kandhamal and Bolangir
Districts. The Sitha Kandhas (Sitarange) are basket makers. The Malua
Kandhas are well-known for their pattern of living in groups in hilly areas for
which they are called so. On the other hand the Desia Kandhas are found in
„desh‟ or plain area for which they are called Desia Kandha. There is also
another group of Kandha people who pronounce the word „Bengo‟ (frog) as
Pengo and relish the flesh of frogs and as such they are locally known as
„Pengo Kandha‟.
Jatapu
The Jatapus have synonyms like
Jatapu Dora and Samenthulu etc.
Believed to be a civilized section of the
Kandha tribe, now they are a distinct
community and consider themselves
socially superior to the Kandha. The
name „Jatapu‟ is popularly believed to
be an abbreviated form of Konda Jatapu Doralu or Londs or the Kond
(Kondha).
They live in the hilly terrain and foothills of undivided Koraput District
adjoining Srikakulum and Vizianagaram of Andhra Pradesh. They speak
Kuvi, a Dravidian language spoken by the Kandhas. The Jatapu residing in
border area adjacent to Andhra Pradesh speak Telugu to communicate with
their Telugu speaking neighbours.
Paraja
The Paraja is a well-known major Scheduled Tribe of Odisha. This tribe
has its largest concentration in Odisha which they regard as their homeland.
They inhabit the hills and valleys of Southern Odisha particularly in undivided
Koraput District. Quite a sizable population of this tribe lives in Kashipur
Block of Rayagada spreading towards Koraput District.
The Parajas are hill cultivators. The Parojas seem to have inhabited
this country from about the second century of the Christian era (District
Gazetteer: Koraput; 1966: 103). Paraja is a conglomeration of various
endogamous sections and is not a compact community.
The term Paraja is a local Odia term sometimes pronounced as
„Paraja‟, „Paroja‟, „Parja‟ or „Poroja‟. It is an impure form of Sanskrit word
„Proja‟ literally means the common people i.e. subjects or citizens as distinct
from the former ruling chiefs called Raja or the Zamindar in pre-
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independence period. The term „Paraja‟ also has another meaning in Odia
language, namely the tenant (peasant) or Royat. In the Madras census
report 1871, Carmichael stated that Paraja is a class denomination, the
familiar epithet of ryot (cultivator).
Their mother tongue „Parji‟ is a form of Gondi belonging to Dravidian
family or languages which varies ascending to locality influenced by the local
tongues like Odia or Telugu. But now most of them living in undivided
Koraput District speak the regional language called „Desia‟. The Parojas
have many socio-cultural features in common with the neighbouring major
tribes namely, the Gond, the Kandha and the Gadaba.
There are four sub-tribes of Parajas: (1) Bade Paraja or Sodia Paraja
(2) Bade Jadia Paraja or Pengo Paraja (3) Borengo Jhodia Paraja (4) Konda
Paraja or Chhelia Paraja. They can be distinguished from other tribal people
from their dress, ornaments, behavior in youth dormitory, marriage and
different festivals. Their way of life has been immortalized by the acclaimed
Odia litterateur Sri Gopinath Mohanty in his eponymous creation “Paraja”.
Saora
The „Saora‟ or „Savara‟ are a great ancient tribe. They are not only
numerically important but also historically and culturally a significant tribal
community of the State. They have been mentioned quite frequently in
Hindu mythology and ancient classics, epics, purans and various other
scriptures especially in Odisha, they have been very intimately associated
with the cult of Lord Jagannath, who according to a legendary tradition
originated as a tribal deity and was later brought to Puri under royal
patronage.
The tribe is called by various names such as Saura, Sabara, Sahara,
Saur, Sora etc. and has their racial affinity with the proto-Austroloid stock,
which is dominant among the aborigines of Central and Southern India.
The term Saora appears to have two connotations, one derived from
the sagories, the Scythian word for axe and the other from Soba Roye, the
Sanskrit term for carrying a dead body. Both of them fit well with their habit
of always carrying an axe over their shoulder and their primitive occupation
of hunting and living on the spoils of chase.
They speak an ancient Mundari dialect of their own called „Sora‟. It is
an uncultivated language and has no recognized standard. It varies
considerably not only between villages but also between individuals. It
belongs to the Austric family of languages to which Mundari belongs.

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 Lanjia Saora constituents are of the primitive sections of the Saor tribe.
They are so called by their neighbours for their distinct style of male dress in
which the long and narrow strip of male loin cloth is worn in such a fashion
that both the red embroidered ends hang down in front and back like a tail
(Lanjia).

Urbanisation and Emerging Issues

From a small Zamindari under Jeypore estate to its present identity of a
newly formed District with distinct geographic and administrative boundary
and from a small population size of 1,86,480 in 1901 to 9,67,911 in 2011, the
District has made tremendous strides in various sectors of activity and
consequently has thrown up many emerging issues and new challenges.
One of the distinct phenomena noticed in urban areas like Rayagada,
Theruvali and very recently at Tikiri near Kashipur is the increasing pollution
of air, water and soil. The setting up of J. K. Paper Mill at Rayagada,
although it has brought some improvement in the economic conditions of
some people, has also added to the air pollution of Rayagada Municipality
and also to the water pollution of Nagavali river. Similarly the setting up of
IMFA at Theruvali and Utkal Alumina at Tikiri has also added to the air
pollution of surrounding areas.
The depletion of natural forest and its replacement with Eucalyptus by
J.K. Paper Mill in the nearby villages has not only disturbed the natural
habitat but has also to a great extent contributed to the receding water level
of the area.
A visit to any of the urban areas of the District catches attention to the
poor management of domestic effluent and municipal solid waste which is
responsible for many health hazards. Hence it calls for a robust system of
environment and solid waste management.
In view of the current debate on climate change and preservation of
natural environment there is an urgent need to undertake long term
measures for the protection of the environment of the District.

67
 The District is rapidly turning into a major industrial hub and a centre of
trade and commerce with railway connectivity to the whole country and with
different important industries. This increasing trade and industrial activity will
witness migration and cross migration of different categories of workers
which are bound to increase law and order problems.
This District has also witnessed many peoples‟ movement since pre-
independence. Past history of the District reveals Kondha uprising against
the British people and freedom movement against British rule which has left
behind indelible imprints.
In the seventies, this District came under the influence of Naxal
movement under the leadership of Nagbhusan Patnaik which was a kind of
violent political protest against the landlords and Zamindars.
In the nineties, this District witnessed peoples‟ movement under tribal
leaders opposing the setting up of alumina plant by Utkal Alumina at Tikiri
near Kashipur for the protection of land and livelihood, which has left behind
many bloody trails.
Similarly the Dongaria Kandhs are up in arms against the mining lease
to Vedanta Alumina Ltd., in Niyamgiri Hills. The tribal people of this District
have been opposing this tooth and nail from the beginning under the banner
„Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti‟ since 2003. After several agitations, they have
won the legal battle in Supreme Court in the year 2013 and it has attracted
the attention of the country due to the involvement of social activists, NGOs
and political parties.
Very recently this District has also come under the influence of Maoist
movement and there have been numerous incidents of killing by Maoists and
counter killing by law enforcement agencies.
It has been noticed in various parts of the country that the benefits of
so-called industrialization have gone to the privileged sections of the society
and have not percolated down to the deprived sections who are displaced
from their health and home.
Many peoples‟ movement call for careful analysis by the sociologists,
political economists, planners and thinkers to address the emerging issues
and future challenges, to chalk out the course for a more peaceful and
prosperous society.
It is also noticed that there is a gradual shift from the rural areas to
urban areas for better employment opportunities thereby increasing the
demand for agricultural produce for day to day consumption. Hence there is
an urgent need for the expansion of agriculture and horticulture in all villages
sustaining life in urban areas. In view of migration from rural to urban areas
68
the number of unemployed persons is likely to increase, giving rise to
manifold socio-economic problems.
Health care facilities in remote areas are very deplorable and it
becomes quite acute during the rainy season. Hence health care facilities
need to be bolstered at every Panchayat to provide necessary support
throughout the year.
Like any other modern urban town, this District is also going to witness
a sizable number of senior citizens who would require appropriate health
care and social support. This will be more acute in rural and tribal areas.
Hence it calls for urgent planning and measures to look after the senior
citizens.
Increasing urbanization of the District is likely to extinguish the ethnic
tribal art and cultural in course of time which need to be preserved and
protected for the benefit of posterity.
There are about 10,000 Self Help Group operating in the District. This
is a great opportunity for generation of employment and empowerment
among women and needs to be reinforced.
One of the offshoots of globalization is the increasing use of
telecommunication in terms of internet, cell phones, different types of
software and hardware in day to day life. In addition to getting numerous
advantages, this is also going to pose a great threat to life and security of
the citizens in terms of cyber crime and terrorist network. Hence it calls for
careful planning and appropriate measures well in advance to address such
challenges.
Though this District offers a wonderful mix of composite culture of
different language and religion, it is also vulnerable to linguistic and religious
tension which is very often fuelled by vested interests. Hence, it calls for
round the clock vigilance on the part of District administration and quick
action teams to confront any kind of unforeseen situations.
Finally, we should imagine ourselves in the same position as that of a
CEO of a company called LIFE, Saddled with the task of creating a healthy
balance sheet with increasing assets and diminishing liabilities to run the
company and make it successful. In the same manner the leaders,
administrators, educationists, writers, social activists and above all
conscious citizens, should contribute their might for charting healthy balance
sheet of life for the people of Rayagada District so as to make it a decent
place to live in.
***

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