Khunti
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?Khunti Jharkhand • India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST ([[UTC+5:30]]) |
| Area • Elevation |
• m ( ft) |
| District(s) | Khunti |
| Population | (2001) |
Coordinates: Khunti is the headquarters of Khunti district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. Till recently, it was a sub-division of Ranchi district. It was carved out as a separate district on September 12, 2007.
History
The place draws its name from Maharani Kunti of the Mahabharat fame. It is widely believed that she along with her 5 famous sons (Pandavas) was here during their year of anonymity.
It is historically known for the centre of activity of the Birsa movement. Birsa Munda was born in Khunti.
Geography
Khunti is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 611 metres (2004 feet).
Demographics
As of 2001 India census[2], Khunti had a population of 29,271. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Khunti has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 61%. In Khunti, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Economy
Majority of the population is tribal in the Khunti sub-division and they are dependent on agriculture and forests for their livelihood. Lack of food security from the land has compelled many tribal families to migrate out of own village. This is despite the fact that the existing landholdings can provide stable livelihoods to the tribal families. Lack of land development, irrigation, credit, know-how for improved agriculture, access to market etc. act as serious constraints leading to a large number of tribal families.
The area however is endowed with good rainfall - in most blocks the annual rainfall exceeds 1100 millimetres. There are numerous small rivers, rivulets and streams, which carry water up to the month of February or March. In spite of that, most cultivated lands do not have assurance of water for crops even during the monsoon. Inadequacy of water harvesting infrastructures and water use systems have allowed the rain water to run off through the streams to downstream areas beyond the State, leaving the lands here dry.
It has been long argued that ensuring water assurance to crops and improving land husbandry practices could go a long way in improving the livelihoods of poor families and impacting the local economy in rural areas. However, it has also been the experience that timely credit in adequate amount and know-how for improved agriculture are also essential along with water assurance to crops. For water assurance, the large irrigation schemes have not been successful in the district and other parts of Jharkhand.
The area is famous for the Lac cultivation. ALPHABET SOUP! A large part of the India's total lac production comes from this area.Lac, a natural polymer (resin) is produced by a tiny insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr), which is purposely cultured on shoots of several species of trees, mainly palas, kusum and ber. This agricultural profession of lac cultivation is a subsidiary source of income for a large number of families in the area.
A number of development agencies are active in the area, prominent among which is a national level development organisation called: PRADAN,(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRADAN) with office in torpa road. Others are missionary organisations, NBJK, etc.
References
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