ODISHA GEOGRAPHY

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY?

Land area & Land scape?

Coordinates – 17.49 N to 22.34 N latitude, and from 81.27E to 87.29E longitude

Land area – 1, 55, 707 sq. Km
N-S – 800 KM; E-W – 500 KM
Coast line – 480 km
Coastal districts (7) – Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khorda,
Ganjam
Physiography (5) – 1. Coastal Plains in East/ Utkal Plain 2. Middle mountaneous &
High land regions 3. Central Plateaus 4. Western Rolling Uplands 5. Major Flood
Plains

Land Reform?

Land ceiling?
Climate?

Tropical climate, Average annual rainfall – 150 cm, Temperature in summer (35-48
degree C.) & in winter (12-3 degree C.)
6 Seasons – Grishma, Barsha, Sharada, Hemanta, Shishira, Basanta
12 Months – Baishakha, Jaishtha, Ashadha, Srabana, Bhadraba, Ashwina, Kartika,
Margashira, Pousha, Magha, Falguna, Chaitra
Rivers, Canals, Lakes, Streams, & Dams?

Rivers from North to South falling in BoB – Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, Baitarani,

Brahmani, Mahanadi, Rushikulya, Vamsadhara, Nagabali
Mahanadi – largest, 494/857 km in Odisha, From Amarkantak plateau in CG, falls in
BoB near Paradeep (south of light house), India’s 6th longest, ‘Satakosia Ganda’ from
Sunakhania of Boudh to Badamulaghati of Dasapalla, Hirakud dam, Jobra barrage,
Canals – Bargarh & Sasan, Delta starts from Cuttack, Distributaries – Kathajodi +
Kuakhai + Birupa + Debi + Daya + Bhargabi, Tributaries – Ib + Tel

Brahmani – 799 km, 2nd largest, Shankha + Koel => Brahmani @ Vedavyasa near
Rourkela, flows through – Sundargarh + Keonjhar + Dhenkanal + Cuttack + Jajpur,
merges with Baitarani & falls in BoB @ Dhamara, Rengali dam – Hydro power,
Distributry – Kharasrota, Tributaries – 45 like Sankhad + Chandrinal + Rurkura,

Subarnarekha – 433 km, origins from Chhotanagpur plateau, enters Balsore via WB,
Tributaries – Raru + Kanchi + Damra + Karru + Kharkhai + Chinguru + Gurma +
Khaijori

Baitarani – 365 km, Origins from Gonasika hill of Kendujhar, Tributary – Salandi
originates from Meghasana hill of Mayurbhanj

Budhabalanga – 175 km, Originates from Similipal hill of Mayurbhanj, falls in BoB
after flowing through Mayurbhanj & Balsore, Tributaries – Palapala + Sunei + Kalo
+ Sanjo + Deo + Gangahari + Katra

Rushikulya – 165 km, from Rushi hill of Kandhmal, Tributaries- Dhanei + Badanadi
+ Baghua, no delta in its mouth

Jambhira – 90 km, originates from Chandra reserve forest in Mayurbhanj, falls in

BoB,
Vamsadhara – 230 km, originates from Durgakangar hills of Eastern Ghats in
Kalahandi, Falls in BoB in Andhra Pradesh @ Kalingapatnam, Tributaries – Bhangi +
Pedagoda + Mahendratanaya (originates from Mahendragiri)

Nagabali – 217 km, fr4om Bijapur hills of Kalahandi, also flows in Andhra Pradesh,
Tributaries – Pitadar Nalla + + Sananadi + Badanadi

Indravati – 530 km, from Dandaklaranya range in Kalahandi, flows in Westerly

direction, enters Jagdalpur of CG, meets Godavari at the border of Maharastra-CG-
AP, Tributaries – Keshadhara Nalla + Chandragiri Nalla +

Kolab – 420 km, from Sinkaran hills of Koraput, meets Godavari in Andhra,
Tributaries – machhakunda + Sileru +

Bahuda – 96 km, from Singharaj hills of Gajapati

Salandi – 160 km, Bhadrak, BoB,

Kathajodi –

Tel

Ib

Ang
 Canals – Taladanda Canal: Mahanadi, Jobra, Cuttack, Irrigated area b/w Mahanadi
& Debi; 2. Puri Main Canal:Mahanadi, Naraj, irrigated area b/w Debi & Daya; 3.
Bargarh Canal: Mahanadi, Hirakud, irrigated area Bargarh+ Balangir+ Sonepur; 4.
Sasan Canal:Mahanadi, Hirakud, irrigated area Sambalpur+ Jharsuguda; 5.
Kendrapda Canal: Birupa, Jagatpur, Cuttack+ Kendrapada; 6. Bhadrak Canal:
Baitarani, Akhuapada, Bhadrak; 7. Rushikulya Canal: Rushikulya, Janjabali, Ganjam;

Lakes – Chilika (780-144 sq. Km) – largest island lake, brackish water, a lagoon,
NS71X EW32 km, ‘Bihanga Bihar’, migratory birds from North Pole areas, Caspian
lake, & , J&K in winter, Hills inside Parikuda + Maluda + Kalijai, Tourism, Naval
Training Centre, Brahmaputra type of Dolphins, Dolphins show for tourists @
Satapada ; Anshupa – Detached from Mahanadi, Fresh water, Banki of Cuttack, 5X2
sq. Km ; Sara – Fresh water, near Puri; Kanjia – located in Nandankanan; Pata – Fresh
water lake, chatrapur, 4X1/2 km; Hirakud dam – Artificial, largest in Asia; Indravati
dam – Kalahandi & Nabarangpur; Kolab dam – Koraput;

Reservoirs – Balimela on river Sileru; Rengali over Brahmani; Mandira over Sankh;
Chilika;

Springs – Badaghaghara & Sanaghaghara in Keonjhar; Saptasajya in Dhenkanal;

Chandikhol in Jajpur; Barunei in Khorda; Taptapani, Narayani, & Nirmaljhar in
Ganjam; Patalganga in Kalahandi; Nrushingnath in Bargarh; Harishankar in Balangir;

Hot Springs – Atri & Baghmari in Khordha; Banshakela in Kalahandi; Taptapani in

Ganjam; Darabalo & Khandapada in Nayagad; Deulijhar In Athmallik of Angul;
Waterfalls –
1.2. Harishankar & Nrushingnath in Gandhamardan;

3.4. Barehipani (399m) & Joranda (181m) (Similipal) in Mayurbhanj; 5.6. Sanghaghara &
Badaghaghara in Keonjhar;

7. Pradhanpat in Deogarh;
8. Khandadhar (244m) (Banei) in Sundargarh;
9. Koilighoghar in Jharsuguda;
10.11.12. Phulirijharan, Khandabaladhar, & Rabandhara in kalahandi; 13.14. Kentamari &
Putudi in Boudh;

15. Duduma (157m) in Malkangiri;

16. Bogra in Koraput;
17.18. Bhim kund & Deb kund in Mayurbhanj;

Irrigation & Multi-purpose Projects?

Mahanadi, Birupa Barrage – Cuttack;

Talsara – Sundargarh;
Upper Jonk – Nuapada;
Upper Kolab – Koraput;
Indrabati – ;
Balimela – Malkangiri;
Hirakud – SBP;
Rengali – SBP;
Bhimkund – Keonjhar;
Deras – Khordha;
Mohanpur dam – Nayagad;
Subarnarekha – Balsore;

Hydro-power Projects & Thermal Power Projects?

 Hydro – Hirakud & Chipilima, SBP – 347.5 MW; 2. Balimela, Malkangiri – 360 MW;
3. Machhakund, Koraput – 114.75 MW; 4. Rengali Project, SBP – 250 MW; 5. Upper
Kolab, Koraput – 320 MW; 6. Upper Indrabati, Nabarangpur – 600 MW;

Thermal – 1. NTPC, Talcher – 460 MW; 2. Kaniha, Angul – 200 MW; 3. IB Thermal
(OPGC), Jharsuguda – 420 MW; 4. Duburi Power Plant, Jajpur – 200 MW; 5. RSP,
Rourkela – 108 MW;
Difference among Anicut, Barrage & Dam?

Anicut – about 2 metre height, made of iron bar (Louha falaka), Checks the river
current & makes an artificial water storage, at both sides canals are dug for
irrigation, No road
Barrage – Higher than Anicut, made of iron gates (Louha falaka), more in volume &
depth water storage, at both sides canals are dug for irrigation, Road is built on it
Dam – Joins both the sides of the river with Concrete & Earth, used for hydro
power, irrigation, flood control, Road on it
Mountains & hills?

Deomali (1672m), Galikonda (1643m), Sikram (1620m) in Koraput; Niyamgiri

(1515m) in Kalahandi & Rayagada; Mahendragiri (1501m) in Gajapati; Meghasan
(1165m) in Mayurbhanj; Gandhamardan (1060m) in Balangir & Bargarh; Dandakia
Nrushinghanath (986m) in Bargarh; Kapilas (701m) in Dhenkanal;
Soil?

Mostly acidic; Coastal areas – salty

Flora & Fauna?

Total Forest areas – 37.34% as per Odisha census; Actual forest cover – 31.38%;
Highest in Kandhamal & Lowest in Jagatsinghpur
Types of Forests – 1. Northern Tropical Semi-evergreen 2. Northern Tropical Moist
Deciduous 3. Tidal & Mangroves 4. Northern Tropical Dry
National Park? Wild Life Sanctuaries?

Protected areas – 2 NP (Bhitarakanika, Similipal);

 18 WLS – Chilika, Nandankanan, Satakosia, Sunabeda, Similipal, Mahanadi,
Ushakothi, Khalasuni, Ambapani, Balukhand, Baisipali, Chandaka, Debrigarh,
Belghar, Gahirmatha, Kuldih, Karlapat, Lakhri valley;
1 Biosphere Reserve – Similipal;
1 Marine Sanctuary – Gahirmatha;
1 Zoological Park – Nandankanan;
1 Fresh Water Turtle Preservation Centre – Golia;
Minerals & Ores?

92% (1/6th) of total mineral resources of India

Iron Ore (33.91%) – 5th in India; Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jajpur
Chromites (95%) – 1st; Jajpur (97%), Dhenkal, Keonjhar
Manganese (69.85%) – 1st; Sundargarh, Keonjhar
Nickel ore (92%) – 1st
Graphite (76.67%) – 1st
Pyrophyite (68.52%) – 1st
Dolomite (12%) – 1st; Sundargarh
Bauxite (55%) – 1st; Sundargarh
Coal (27.59%) – 4th; Angul, Jharsuguda, sundargarh, Sambalpur
Fireclay (25%) – 2nd
China clay (30%)
Gold – river banks of Mahanadi, Suvarnarekha, Indravati, Brahmani
Diamond – Mahanadi sands in Upper
Mineral sand (32.10%)
Rare earth

Agriculture? Crops, Dairy farming, Animal husbandry, Horticulture, Fisheries,

Cooperative movements?

Almost 65% people depend on agriculture

Agricultural sector contributes about 20% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)
Cultivable area – 41.16% of total area
Average size of land holding – 1.25 ha
Small & marginal farmers – 83%
Characteristics – Low productivity due to traditional agricultural practices,
inadequate capital formation, inadequate irrigation facility, low water use efficiency,
uneconomic size of holding
Basic Crops – Rice (49% of total area); Pulses; Oil seeds; Jute – 4th largest after WB,
Bihar & Assam; Mesta – Cuttack, Ganjam, Balangir, Koraput; sugarcane; Cotton –
Koraput, Balangir, Kalahandi; Tea – Eastern Ghats, keonjhar, Phulbani, koraput;
Cashew nut – 3rd largest after Maharastra & Andhra Pradesh; Coconut; Coffee –
Eastern Ghats, Koraput, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, rayagada, Udayagiri, Baliguda;
Vegetables; Rubber – Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balsore;
Horticultural Crops – Mango, Cashew, Banana, Commercial floriculture, Spices,
Organic ginger & turmeric
Agricultural Zones (31) –
Agricultural plan needs to be holistic, well defined & focussed on overall well being
of the farming community => SAP 2008;

State Agricultural Policy (2008) – 13 aims – Subsistence agriculture=> Prifitable

Commercial Agriculture; Promote sustainable agricultural development; Enhance
productivity of important crops; Encourage crop diversification; Focus on
Horticultural crops; Modern farming system approach; To enhance water use
efficiency through people’s participation; Long term investment; Contract +
Compact farming; To increase access to credit; To facilitate appropriate market
linkages; integrated Watershed Development Programme;

State Agricultural Policy (2013) – almost same as 2008; Organic farming↑;

Irrigation –
 State water Policy – 1st in 1994 following the principles enunciated in National
water Policy 1987; National water Policy 2002; Odisha State Water Policy 2007 in
line with NWP 2002; Odisha has 11% of the water resources of India; OSWP 2007
aims at laying down principles for wise & judicious use of water for the survival of
life & keeping of well-being

Odisha Irrigation Act wef 1959 & Odisha Irrigation Rules in 1961 –
Construction & maintenance of irrigation works; Prescribes basic water rate; OIR
amended in 2002 for revision of basic water rates

State Pani Panchayat Acts & Rules – To ensure optimum utilisation of water by
farmers for improving agricultural production, to involve farmers’ organisations in
the management & maintenance of irrigation systems, to ensure dependable supply
& distribution of water
Programmes & initiatives –

Biju Krushaka Vikas Yojana – 2001, to revive derelict projects & construction of new
minor & major irrigation projects through PPP, Beneficiaries are to contribute 10% of
capital cost of the project in Scheduled areas & 20% in non-scheduled areas;

Pani Panchayat – Participatory Irrigation Management (pani Panchayat) Programme

extended to all the command area under Major, Medium & Minor (flow & lift) irrigation
sector;

New initiatives – 2 project proposals – Mahanadi Basin Development Plan, & Odisha
Integrated Irrigated agricultural & Water management Project for Baitarani +
Budhabalanga + Subarnarekha basins
Tribes?

62 distinct tribes
13/62 are ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups’ (PTGs)
8% of state’s total population & 9.7 % of India’s tribals
Main tribes – Kondha/Kandha – around 10 lakhs, mainly in Kandhamal +
Rayagada + Koraput + Balangir + Boudh; Santals – over 5 lakhs, Mayurbhanj; Saura
– over 3 lakhs, mainly in undivided Ganjam & Puri; Bonda – ‘Naked people’, about
5000, Malkangiri; Kisans – Sundargarh + SBP + Keonjhar, speak kisan dialect along
with Odia + Hindi + English, farmers & food gathers, famous for their dance &
music; Toppo – Kutra village in Sundargarh
Other tribes – Bagata, Baiga, Bathuri, Bhatra, Bhuyan, Bhumia, Bhumij, Binjhal, Bonda
Paroja, Dhurua, Gadaba, Gond, Ho, Holva, Juang, Kandha Gauda, Kawar, Kharia,
Kharwar, Kisan , Kol, Kolha, Koli/Malhar, Kondadora, Korua, Kotia, Koya, Kuli, Lodha,
Madia, Mahali, Mirdhas, Munda, Mundari, Oraon, Parenga, Parja, Pentia, Rajuar,
Shabar, Sounti, Tharua