Palkot block

Palkot block is a CD block that forms an administrative division in the Basia subdivision of Gumla district, in the Indian state of Jharkhand.

History
Gumla became a subdivision of Ranchi district in 1902 and it became a separate district in 1983. Simdega district was carved out of Gumla district in 2011. Subsequently, Gumla district was divided into three subdivisions – Gumla Sadar subdivision (with Gumla, Ghaghra, Bharno, Bishunpur, Raidih and Sisia blocks), Basia subdivision (with Palkot, Basia and Kamdara blocks), and Chainpur subdivision (with Chainpur, Albert Ekka (Jari) and Dumri blocks).

Overview
Mount Risyamook, mentioned in the Ramayana, is located in the Palkot block, which was, of sorts, the capital of the Chhotanagpur pleatau area until the 20th century. The Nagvanshi rajas ruled from Lalgarh which is located in Palkot.

Palkot has an interesting historical background. In the ancient period it was known as Nagri and Pampapuri. This is the capital of tribal kings Bali and Sugriv. In epics age Ghorlata was the place for army which they use to hide oneself. At 3 km from block headquarter. Shitalpur and Malmalpur are two most beautiful picnic spots. It has said that in this cave chilled air flows during summer. It has a drinking water source inside the cave.Palkot is also known for bronze utensils.

Gobbarsilli is one of the most famous tourist places in Palkot. There is a big stone balanced naturally. It is said that if anyone throws a pebble over the stone and if the stone passes to other side of this rock than he will be the lucky person and God will fulfill his desire.

Maoist activities
The Maoist insurgency started spreading around the mid-1990s and poses a big challenge to peace and development of the district. It “is involved in abduction, extortion, extortion killings.” The banned organisation is active largely in the eastern part of the district mainly in Kamadara, Basia, Palkot, Gumla, Raidih, Sisai and Bharno police stations. In order to counter the activities of the insurgents, arms, ammunition and security equipment have been provided in every police station. It includes bullet-proof and landmine-proof vehicles.

Geography
In the southern portion of Gumla district, there are flat topped hills called pat, with an elevation ranging from 2,500 feet to 3,000 feet. The pat region is spread across Bishunpur, Chainpur and Ghaghra CD blocks. The highest areas are Netarhat pat (3,356 ft), Lamiti pat (3,777 ft) and Galgat pat (3,823 ft). The rest of the district occupies a part of the Ranchi Plateau with an average elevation of 2,300 feet.

Three major rivers flowing through Gumla district are North Karo River, South Koel River and Sankh River.

Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across Gumla and Simdega districts was established in 1990. It covers an area around 184 sq km.

Palkot CD block is bounded by Gumla CD block on the north, Basia CD block on the east, Bano and Kolebira CD blocks in Simdega district on the south, and Raidih CD block on the west.

Palkot CD block has an area of 579.03 km2. Palkot police station serves Palkot CD block. The headquarters of Palkot CD block is located at Palkot village.

Population
According to the 2011 Census of India, Palkot CD block had a total population of 80,859, all of which were rural. There were 40,215 (50%) males and 40,644 (50%) females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 13,347. Scheduled Castes numbered 6,533 (8.08%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 48,608 (60.11%).

Literacy
According to the 2011 census, the total number of literate persons in Palkot CD block was 41,557 (61.55% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 24,109 (72.17% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 17,448 (51.16% of the female population over 6 cm years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 21.02%.

census, literacy in Gumla district was 66.92%. Literacy in Jharkhand was 67.63% in 2011. Literacy in India in 2011 was 74.04%.

See also – List of Jharkhand districts ranked by literacy rate

Language and religion
According to the Population by Religious Communities 2011 data, in the Palkot subdistrict, Hindus numbered 41,635 and formed 51.49% of the population, followed by: (number of persons and percentage of population in brackets) ‘Other religious communities’ (23,185/ 28.67%), Christians (15,333/ 18.96%), Muslims (587/ 0.73%), and persons who did not state their religion (119/ 0.15%).

Scheduled Tribes numbered 706,754 and formed 68.94% of the total population of Gumla district. Within the scheduled tribes the more populous tribes were (percentage of ST population in 2011 in brackets): Oraon, Dhangars (62.63%), Munda, Patars (11.70%), Kharia, Dhelki Kharia, Dudh Kharia, Hill Kharia (9.07%), Lohras (5.77%) and Chik Baraik (2.57%).

According to the Population by Mother Tongue 2011 data, in the Palkot subdistrict, Hindi was the mother-tongue of 64,970 persons forming 80.35% of the population, followed by (number of persons and percentage of population in brackets), Kharia (11,223/ 13.88%). Kurukh (2,649/ 3.28%), Mundari (1,009/ 1.25%), Odia (775/ 0.96%), persons with other languages as mother-tongue (13/ 0.19%). Persons with Hindi as mother-tongue included 23,698 persons having Sadri/ Sadan, 40,424 persons having Nagpuri as mother-tongue.

Note: An attempt has been made to include all language groups each with at least 300 persons as their mother-tongue and only those groups with less than 300 persons as their mother-tongue in the census data are normally included in the “other languages” category. Comparatively smaller language groups with 200+ persons as their mother-tongue are mentioned in the text. Many languages have sub-groups. Those who are interested can see the reference for more details.

Hindi is the official language in Jharkhand and Urdu has been declared as an additional official language.

Overview
80% and over of the population of Gumla district were in the BPL category in 2004–2005. In 2011–12, the proportion of BPL population in Gumla district came down to 36.75%. According to a study in 2013 (modified in 2019), "the incidence of poverty in Jharkhand is estimated at 46%, but 60% of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are still below poverty line."

Livelihood
In Palkot CD block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 31,959 and formed 68.16%, agricultural labourers numbered 9,663 and formed 20.61%, household industry workers numbered 1,247 and formed 2.66% and other workers numbered 4,019 and formed 8.57%. Total workers numbered 46,888 and formed 57.99% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 33,971 and formed 42.01% of the population.

Infrastructure
There are 73 inhabited villages in Palkot CD block. In 2011, 6 villages had power supply. 1 village had tap water (treated/ untreated), 73 villages had well water (covered/ uncovered), 70 villages had hand pumps, and all villages have drinking water facility. 9 villages had post offices, 5 villages had sub post offices, 4 villages had telephones (land lines), 12 villages had mobile phone coverage. 73 villages had pucca (paved) village roads, 12 villages had bus service (public/ private), 8 villages had autos/ modified autos, 10 village had taxi/ van, 22 villages had tractors. 4 villages had bank branches, 2 villages had agricultural credit societies, 33 villages had public distribution system.

Agriculture
In Gumla district, only three CD blocks, namely Sisai, Bharno and Kamdara, have plain lands. Rest of the district is mostly undulating in nature. Forests cover around 27% of the total area. About 35% of the total geographical area of the district is under cultivation. Out of 3.296 lakh hectare cultivable lands, only 22,056 hectare of land is under assured irrigation coverage. “The main economy of the village depends upon agriculture, forest produce, cattle development, and other labour activities...” About 70% farmers belong to the small and marginal category and have small plots scattered all around. Percentages of landless farmers are negligible.

Backward Regions Grant Fund
Gumla district is listed as a backward region and receives financial support from the Backward Regions Grant Fund. The fund, created by the Government of India, is designed to redress regional imbalances in development. As of 2012, 272 districts across the country were listed under this scheme. The list includes 21 districts of Jharkhand.

Education
Palkot CD block had 24 villages with pre-primary schools, 66 villages with primary schools, 35 villages with middle schools, 7 villages with secondary schools, 2 villages with senior secondary schools, 7 villages had no educational facility.

.*Senior secondary schools are also known as Inter colleges in Jharkhand

Healthcare
Palkot CD block had 7 villages with primary health centres, 23 villages with primary health subcentres, 2 villages with maternity and child welfare centres, 2 villages with allopathic hospitals, 4 villages with dispensaries, 1 village with veterinary hospital, 3 villages with family welfare centres, 2 villages with medicine shops.

.*Private medical practitioners, alternative medicine etc. not included