GADCHIROLI

Gadchiroli was a subdivision of the erstwhile district of Chandrapur and was carved out as a separate district of the state on 26th August, 1982. The district is located in the north-eastern part of the state bordering Durg, Rajnandgaon of newly created Chhattisgarh State on the east, Chandrapur on the west, Bhandara on the north and Karim Nagar, Adilabad of Andhra Pradesh Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh State) on the South.

The major area of the district is having undulating topography on large scale except a narrow strip along Godavari and Pranhita rivers. Main physiographic features of the district are the Sirkonda, Bhamragad, Aheri and Dandkaranya hill ranges with high to moderate relief. The low land of the district has rolling topography with isolated hillocks.

Gadchiroli is categorized as Tribal and undeveloped district and most of the land is covered with forest and hills. ST population of the district 3, 71,696 comprises of 38% population of the district. The main river basin of the district is Godavari which borders the southern boundary of the district and flows west to East. Due to proximity towards Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh it is affected by Naxalites taking shelters in the dense forest and hills of this district.

Climate:It is a high rainfall zone. Mean Maximum temperature varies from 32 to 37 C. Minimum temperature 15 to 24 C. Daily humidity 73% for rainy season, 62 in winter and 35 in summer.

Rainfall:Average rainfall on western side is 950 to 1250 mm. It is 1700 mm on extreme east side. Average number of rainy days is 59. Average rainfall for district is 1410 mm.

Indaram and Etapalli are two clusters identified in gadchiroli.

Indaram is located in Aheri block. Aheri is 50 kms on the east of District place. On east boundary it has Chattisgarh state and on west Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. Baseline surveys and PRAs were conducted in 10 villages of cluster namely Abanapalli, Bamhne, Cherpalli, Chichguda, Indaram, Katepalli, Modumtura, Pusukpalli and Vyakantrao petha. The villages are more like small hamlets, majority of people residing here are Gonds. Etapalli is a block place. It located at the distance of 125 kms on the east of District place. On east boundary it has Chattisgarh state. Boundaries on other directions are shared with Mulchera, Aheri and Bhamaragard blocks of the same district. Baseline surveys and PRAs were conducted in 9 villages of cluster namely Aldandi, Hedari, Itulnar, Lanji, Mangera, Pursalgondi, Rekenar and Tadpalli. The villages are more like small hamlets, majority of people residing here are Madiya.

Major Crops: Paddy, Soybean, wheat, Gram