Profile of sample blocks

    
There are 5 CD blocks in Lohardaga district. Among these 4 blocks namely Bhandra, Kisko, Lohardaga and Senna were surveyed. Lohardaga is one of the poorest districts of Jharkhand; it is predominantly rural, with heavy dependence on agriculture and low industrial investments. Around 50% of the households below poverty line of the district are in the sample blocks.

(a)    Bhandra: Bhandra block is situated in southwest part of Lohardaga district. The block has a geographical area of 195.76 sq Kms. As per the Panchayat notification 56 villages in the block are part of 13 Gram Panchayats. According to Census 2001, male population was 27999, female 27541,  population of 0-6 ages 11247.

(b)    Kisko: Kisko is the second poorest block of Lohardaga district. It is situated in the northwest part of Lohardaga district. The block touches two other districts of Jharkhand and is surrounded by Latehar district in the north, Gumla district in the west, Kudu block in the east, and Lohardaga block in south. Geoaraohical area of Kisko is 442.00 sq Kms.
     The 91 villages of Kisko block are organized under 12 Gram Panchayats. Total population of the block was 57779, with 29,262 males and 28,517 females. The population in 0-6 age group was 19,400.

(c) Lohardaga: Lohardaga block is situated in the midst of Lohardaga district. Ranchi Rourkela road bisects it across north-south axis. The block has a geographical area of 176.5 sq Kms, and is surrounded by Senha and Bhandra in the south, Kisko in the north, east by Kuru and west by Kisko and senha. District head quarter of Lohardaga is situated in this block. According to Panchayat notification there are 13 Gram Panchayats and 42 villages in the block, Total population of the block was 57,166. Male, female, 0-6 age group populations were 28729, 28437, and 17799, respectively. The population data includes the population of municipal areas. There is a major steel plant (Birla industries) situated in Lohardaga town. However, majority of population earns its livelihood from agriculture.

(d) Senha; The block is situated in the southern region of Lohardaga district, spread over 366.00 sq Kms. Boundaries of Senna block touches Gumla district in the south and west, Bhandra block in the east, and Lohardaga block in the north. 13 Gram Panchayats cover 88 villages, with a total population of 63918. Male population was 32,460, female population 31,458. There were 12,314 persons in 0-6 years age group. There is a “Navodaya Vidyalaya” located at “JOGNA” that provided quality education and also undertakes local talent search in the block.

(e) Kuru; The block is situated in the East region of Lohardaga district, spread over 265.00 sq Kms. 17 gram panchayats covered by 76 villages with a total population of 83,922, male population was 42,148, female population 41,774.


Profile of villages

Villages:
The district has 353 villages with an average population of around 1030 persons, or about 200 households. These villages are actually habitations, comprising of homogenous tribal or caste groups, called "toli" (In North Bihar plains, a similar habitation is called "tola"). Thus, Oraons would have a toli, Munda toli would comprise of Munda tribespersons, and so on.

Panchayats :
There are 66 Panchayats. Traditional Panchayats exist and the "Ranch" comprises of village elders, the Mukhiya (village headman) is normally an elderly person. There is a movement going on in the villages to resolve all civil disputes and non-CrPC/IPC cases through the good offices of the local Panchayats. Despite Jharkhand PR Act, elections have not been held.

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