History
Jaina
Bhagavati-Sutra of circa 5th century A.D. mentions that Purulia was one of the
16 Mahajanapadas and was a part of the country known as Vajra-bhumi in ancient
times. However, little is known about Purulia before the East-India Company
obtained the 'Diwani' of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa in 1765. By Regulation XVIIII of
1805, a Jungle Mahals district composed of 23 parganas and mahals including the
present Purulia (known as 'Purulia' those days) was formed. By Regulation XIII
of 1833 the Jungle Mahals district was broken up and a new district called
Manbhum was constituted with headquarters at Manbazar. The district was very
large in size and included parts of Bankura, Burdwan of present West Bengal and
Dhanbad, Dhalbhum, Saraikela and Kharswan of present states of Jharkhand and
Orissa. In 1838 the district headquarters was transferred to Purulia of today.
Since the formation of the district it was withdrawn from regular
administration and placed under an officer called Principal Assistant to the
agent to the Governor-General for South-Western Frontier. The title of the
officer Principal Agent was later changed to Deputy Commissioner by Act XX of
1854. Finally in 1956 Manbhum district was partitioned between Bihar and West
Bengal under the States Reorganization Act and the Bihar and West Bengal
(Transfer of Territories) Act 1956 and the present district Purulia was born on
1st November, 1956
Purulia is
the westernmost district of West Bengal with all-India significance because of
its tropical location, its shape as well as function like a funnel. It funnels
not only the tropical monsoon current from the Bay to the subtropical parts of
north-west India, but also acts as a gateway between the developed industrial
belts of West Bengal and the hinterlands in Orissa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh
and Uttarpradesh. For its convenient location, this place has acquired an
important place in the tourist map in India.
Location
Purulia
lies between 22.60 degree and 23.50 degree north latitude and 85.75 degree and
86.65 degree east longitude. The geographical area of the district is 6259 sq.
kms. This district is encircled by Bankura, Midnapore and Burdwan district of
West Bengal and Hazaribag, Singbhum, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Bokaro of
Jharkhand state
Area
The total
geographical area of the district is 6259 sq. kms (Census 2001). Out of which
the Urban and Rural areas are 79.37 sq. kms (1.27%) (Municipalities &
Non-Municipalities) and 6179.63 sq. kms (98.73 %) respectively.
Climate
Rainfall
characterizes the climate of the district. South west monsoon is the principal
source of rainfall in the district. Average annual rainfall varies between 1100
and 1500 mm. The relative humidity is high in monsoon season, being 75% to 85%.
But in hot summer it comes down to 25% to 35%. Temperature varies over a wide
range from 7 degree Celsius in winter to 46.80 degree Celsius in the summer.
Topography
The
district is characterized by undulating topography with rugged hilly terrains
in the western and southern parts. General elevation of the land surface ranges
from 150 m to 300 m,the master slope being towards the east and south-east.In
the eastern and south-eastern part of the district the slope ranges between 10
to 20 m/km. In the central part of the district the slope in less than 10m/km
and forms a depression. Again in the western part the slope is higher and
ranges from 20-80m/km.
Soil
In general
three types of soils have been recognized in this district viz. (1) residual
types derived from weathering of granites, gneisses and schist (2) Lateritic
soil in the upland areas (3) Clay loam to clay in the valleys. Almost in the
entire district soil is acidic with pH varying between 5.5 and 7.2 . On an
average the soil contain 0.04 % nitrogen. 0.005 %P2O5 and 0.01 % K2O.The
maximum nitrogen being 0.87 % and minimum 0.036 %. The fertility is low, as the
soils contain very little organic matter.
Soil
erosion is the most prominent phenomenon of the district resulting huge
deposition of fertile soil in the valley region. Vast areas of land remained
uncultivable wasteland. In this district total 165200 hec. of land is affected
by soil erosion. Out of this affected land, 135000 hec is in non-forest areas
and 30200 hec. in forest areas.
Agriculture
Cultivation
of this district is predominantly monocropped. About 60 % of the total
cultivated land is upland. Out of the total agricultural holding about 73 %
belongs to small and marginal farmers having scattered and fragmented
smallholding. Paddy is the primary crop of the district. 50% of the total land
is under net-cropped area and only 17% of the net cropped area is under multi
crop cultivation. 77% of the net-cropped area is under Aman paddy cultivation.
The crops are grown mostly under rainfed condition, generally with low
fertilizer consumption per unit area Thus per hec. production is also low as
compared to other district of West Bengal.
Mineral Resources
Paradoxical,
though, it may sound that this industrially backward district is endowed with mineral
resources of a wide range of varieties. According to the findings of GSI there
are ten types of mineral deposits in this district. The main ones being Coal,
Limestone, Rock Phosphate, China Clay, Quartz etc.
The main
mineral resource of the district is Coal.The Purulia district sustained two big
Collieries. One is at Ranipur and the other is at Parbelia. Other Coal mines
are Deoli and Bhamuria. Other important minerals so far explored and reported
are Apatite or Rock Phosphate of Beldi,Panrkidi etc, Limestone of Jhalda,
Basemetal of Tamakhun, China clay of Mahatomara, Fire clay of Malti, Quartz of
mirmi, Siliminate of Paharpur, Decorative Stone of Bero, Dhunia etc.
Rivers
The main
rivers passing through or bordering the district are Kangsabati, Kumari,Darakeswar,
Subarnarekha due to undulated topography nearly 50% of the rainfall flows away
as run off. The district is covered by mostly residual soils formed by
weathering of bed rocks. Rupnarayan (Kangsabati/Kansai) river rises as the
Dhaleswari (Dhalkisor) in the Chota Nagpur plateau foothills northeast of
Purulia town and follows a tortuous southeasterly course past the town of
Bankura, where it is known as the Dwarkeswar. It is joined by the Silai near
the town of Ghatal, where it takes the name Rupnarayan. The river then joins
the Hooghly after completing a 150-mile (240-kilometre) course. The Rupnarayan
originally formed a western exit of the Ganges and is important for its
irrigation potential. It is tidal through its entire course and constitutes a
principal danger to navigation of the Hooghly because it forces that river to
deposit silt upon dangerous shoals.
Education
Literacy
percentage of this district is 56.14 % (excluding 0-6 years population). The
male literacy percentage is 74.18% and female literacy percentage is 37.15 %.
In rural and urban areas the literacy percentages are 53.82 and 75.96
respectively. The male literacy percentage has been increased from 62.17 % in
1991 to 74.18% in 2001. The female literacy has been increased form 23.24 %in
1991 to 37.15% in 2001. In case of rural areas female literacy has been
increased to 14.34 % over 1991 and in urban areas it is 7.36 % over 1991.
Industry
The
District has only two Large Scale Units. One is Santaldih Thermal Power Plant
at Santaldih and other is Damodar Cement Factory, Madhukunda. One major Unit,
i.e., Pumped Storage Project at Bagmundi with generation capacity of 4x 225 MW
is under construction stage.
Although
no large scale industry has started during the past one year, the West Bengal
Incentive Scheme 2000 coupled with the strenuous efforts of the district
administration over the last two years has started paying dividend. During the
last one and half year the district has received investment of Rs. 306.17
crores in the manufacturing sector mainly in the sponge Iron sector. This
compares favorably with more developed districts. The medium scale industries
already set up or proposed to be set at Raghunathpur Industrial Zone.
Health
At present
District possesses one District Hospital, one Sub-divisional Hospital, one
Mental Hospital, one jail Hospital, one Police Hospital, 5 Rural Hospitals /
CHC, 15 BPHC, 60 PHC / New PHC/ SHC and 385 functioning Sub-Centers ( 186 with
ANM(R) & HA(M) ,166 only ANM(R), 29 only HA(M), Vacant-4).
Birth Rate
per 1000 population is 24.1 (Rural-26.5, Urban-17.2), Death Rate- per 1000
population 8.2 (Rural-8.4, Urban-7.9), Infant Mortality Rate per 1000 life
birth 54.5 (Rural-56.6, Urban-39.7), Maternal Mortality Rate 3.23. Percentage
of eligible couple correctly & effectively protected 51.5, No. of Doctors
to population –17500, No. of nurses to population-3000, Percentage of live
birth by trained professionals 44.1 (Rural-41.2, Urban-85.3).
Irrigation
There is
altogether 32 Nos. of medium irrigation Schemes (17 under Purulia
Irrigation Divn., 6 under Construction Divn and 9 under Investigation
& Planning Divn. ) in this district. Out of these 32 Schemes, 23 are
completed and 9 are in various stages of execution. Four new schemes
Karru,Dambera,Dudhiajore and Horai are programmed for execution during the
10th Plan.There are altogether 135 RLI schemes with effective
command area 138 hec. Out of which 21 nos. are electrified and rest 114 nos. are diesel operated. Out of these schemes 16 are permanently defunct. 17 nos. Mini RLI in the different remote areas have been installed so far. There are altogether 61 Minor Irrigation Schemes. The total Irrigation Potential created are 8541 hec in Kharif and 1955 hec in Rabi. No. of Dug-well constructed so far are 4218 nos.
command area 138 hec. Out of which 21 nos. are electrified and rest 114 nos. are diesel operated. Out of these schemes 16 are permanently defunct. 17 nos. Mini RLI in the different remote areas have been installed so far. There are altogether 61 Minor Irrigation Schemes. The total Irrigation Potential created are 8541 hec in Kharif and 1955 hec in Rabi. No. of Dug-well constructed so far are 4218 nos.
Fisheries
The
production of fish in this district is not much encouraging though a large no.
of tanks both under Govt. & Private sector are there. If these tanks are
utilised properly for Pisciculture and Duck rearing the production of fish as
well as eggs will be increased to a considerable extent thereby increasing the
scope of income & employment to the rural people. Total inland area of the
district is 71,255 hec.. So, there is an ample possibility to bring more area
under efficient pisciculture.
The
details of cultural area covering Govt. and private Tanks are given below
Private
Culturable water area - 37753.26 Ha.
Vested
tank water area - 9223.24 Ha.
Dam and
Reservoir - 3039.10 Ha.
Departmental
Tank - 62.40 Ha.
Total
1419.10 Ha. water area covered during last three years for pisciculture through
distribution of minikit, production of fry/fingerlings, demonstration centre on
table fish production, supply of fishing nets and requisits, infrastructural
facilities as fishermen village road, community hall, housing etc. and
development of different fishermen co-operative sector through pisciculture,
training etc. Total 6,807 fishermen were benefited.
Forestry
Total
forest coverage in this district including social forestry and degraded forest
as per Satellite Imagery data is 185726 ha which is 29.69 % of the total land
of the district. As per report of the forest dept. total area under forest
Dept. is 115226 ha.
The
management and maintenance of Forest is being done by Joint Forest Protection
Committees under active control of different divisions of Forest Department. At
present 702 nos. of Forest Protection Committees (Purulia Divn.-171, KSC-I
Divn.-235) are working in this district. These committees have not only helped
to protect the plantation areas but have also guarded against illegal felling
of trees.
The
natural forests of the district are mostly of mixed nature and restricted to
northwest part of the district covering Ajodhya Hills and Panchet hills of
northeast. As per Remote sensing data the forest cover of this district is
increasing compare to its past status. The extensive farm and social forestry
plantation programs might have contributed in a big way to the increase in the
forest cover. Foresttypes Purulia district as per Satellite Imagery data
(IRS-IB LISS II Dec. 1994) are shown below:
Occupation Distribution
Main
working class has been decreased from 35.35 % in 1991 to 25.43 % in 2001 census
whereas Marginal working class has been increased from 7.8 % in 1991 to 19.03 %
in 2001 census. Cultivators have been shifted to other working classes.
Languages
Religion
Literacy
Agriculture
Transport
Education:
Healthcare
SANTURI BLOCK
Santuri is
a community development block that forms an administrative division
in Raghunathpur subdivision of Purulia district in
the Indian state of West Bengal.
Santuri CD Block is
bounded by Salanpur CD Block, in Bardhaman district, across
the Damodar River on the north, Saltora CD Block, in
Bankura district, on the east, Kashipur CD Block on the south
and Raghunathpur I and Neturia CD Blocks on the west. It is located 64 km from Purulia,
the district headquarters
Languages
Bengali is the
local language in these areas.
Along the western
borders of the district the local Bengali dialect spoken in the area often
merges with Magahi dialects such as Kurmali, Khotta and
Khottahi or even Khotta Bangla. There is a tribal presence in many of the CD
Blocks of the district. Santali was spoken by around 14% of the
population of the earlier Manbhum district. Some people also
speak Mundari or Kolarian languages such as Kurmali,
Mundari and the languages of the Bhumij or Mahli. However, the
small number of people speaking some of these languages, particularly the
Bhumijes, gave rise to doubts that many tribals have been recording Bengali as
their language in different censuses, although they still speak their languages
amongst themselves.
Religion
Religion in Santuri
CD Block
Hindu - 70.71%
Muslim - 8.00%
Christian - 0.26%
Others - 21.03%
In the 2011 census
Hindus numbered 55,510 and formed 70.71% of the population in Santuri CD Block.
Muslims numbered 6,282 and formed 8.00% of the population. Christians numbered
208 and formed 0.26% of the population. Others numbered 16,515 and formed
21.03% of the population.[17] Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro,
Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran,
Saran, Sarin, Kheria,[18] and other religious communities.
Literacy
As per the 2011
census the total number of literates in Santuri CD Block was 43,604 (64.15% of
the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 26,495 (76.32% of the
male population over 6 years) and females numbered 17,109 (51.45%) of the
female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference
between female and male literacy rates) was 24.87%.
Agriculture
In 2013-14, persons
engaged in agriculture in Santuri CD Block could be classified as
follows: bargadars 3.73%, patta (document) holders 20.87%, small
farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 2.77%, marginal farmers
(possessing land up to 1 hectare) 30.70% and agricultural labourers 41.93%.
In 2013-14, the total
area irrigated in Santuri CD Block was 12,154.1 hectares, out of which 4,117.16
hectares by canal water, 6,747.47 hectares by tank water, 20.59 hectares by
river lift irrigation, 147.80 hectares by open dug wells and 1,121.10 hectares
by other means.
In 2013-14, Santuri
CD Block produced 3,001 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from
1,542 hectares. It also produced wheat, mustard and potatoes.
Infrastructure
In 2013-14, Santuri
CD Block had 15.15 km of surfaced roads under PWD,
51.50 km
surfaced road and 37.45 km unsurfaced roads under Zilla Parishad,
50.00 km
surfaced roads and 250.00 km unsurfaced roads under Gram Panchayat and
Panchayat Samiti and
54.34 km
surfaced roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.[20]
89 mouzas in Santuri
CD Block were electrified by 31 March 2014.
Pisciculture
In Santuri CD Block,
the net area undern effective pisciculture was 556 hectares in 2013-14. 4,142
persons were engaged in the profession. Approxiate annual production was 11,000
quintals.
Banking
In 2013-14, Santuri
CD Block had offices of 3 commercial banks and 2 gramin banks.
Transport
In 2013-14, Santuri
CD Block had 3 originating/ terminating bus routes.
State Highway 8 (West
Bengal) running from Santaldih (in Purulia district) to Majhdia (in Nadia
district) passes through this CD Block.
The Asansol-Adra
line of South Eastern Railway passes through this block and there are
stations at Madhukunda and Muradi.
Education:
In 2013-14, Santuri
CD Block had 89 primary schools with 6,682 students, 13 middle schools with 999
students, 6 high schools with 2,321 students and 6 higher secondary schools
with 4,601 students. Santuri CD Block had 176 institutions with 4,230 students
for special and non-formal education
Healthcare
In 2014, Santuri CD
Block had 1 block primary health centre, 2 primary health centres and 1 private
nursing home, with total 296 beds and 24 doctors. 13,260 patients were treated
indoor and 216,626 patients were treated outdoor in the health centres and
subcentres of the CD Block.
