| Voice of Champawat :
P M Joshi
Women of Champawat face lot of hardships. Their literacy is very
poor. Women are not allowed to go out and earn a living. They are
expected to look after the house and family. Champawat being a hilly
region it is difficult to travel around the village. Men migrate
to other places in search of jobs leaving their families to fend
for themselves. Due to iron deficiency women are anemic. They still
follow the primitive method of cooking i.e. chulha which affects
their health. Due to lack of education they are not empowered. Government
policies are not implemented properly that is causing major development
retardation.
Champawat District
Area, Population & Sex Ratio
Geographical Area : 1781.0 Km2
Population in Champawat (Census 2011)
Total Population
Total : 259315
Male : 130881
Female : 128434
Disabled population
Total disabled population : 5701
In seeing : 2574
In speech : 452
In hearing : 555
In movement : 1564
Mental : 556
Rank ( VoiceOfBharat.org Analysis
)
Backwardness : Does not figure in list of 447 backward
districts
Sex Ratio Rank : 548
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C (HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 533 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 193 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Brief About Champawat District
The district of Champawat constituted in the year1997
is situated between 29 degree 5 minutes and 29 degree 30 minutes
in northern altitude and 79 degree 59 minutes and 80 degree 3 minutes
at the center of eastern longitude. The Ram Ganga River acts as
a border between Champawat and Pithoragarh in north while Jabgura
and Pannar rivers in south and west act as a border between Champawat,
Udham Singh Nagar and Almora districts simultaneously. The long
chain of mountain in southwestern region acts as a border between
the district Champawat and Nainital district. It is important from
the defence point of view as in the east Kali river acts the international
border between Nepal and India. The geographical coverage of Champawat
is about 1613 sq. km. It includes two Tahsil and four development
blocks and 691 revenue villages. The district owes its name to King
Arjun Deos daughter Champawati. Earlier this district was a part
of district Almora. In 1972 the Champawat Tahsil of Almora district
was transferblack to Pithoragarh. On 15th Sep, 1997 Champawat district
was given an independent identity. Historical Back ground Since
the time in memorial Champawat district is having it’s own importance
in terms of religious and social aspects. It is believed that Champawat
district is the source and origin of religion and culture of Uttaranchal.
In the ancient time this region was the origin of Naga, Kinnar and
Khas Raja’s. The available historical pillars, manuscripts, archeological
collection and folk-lore describe the greatness of the area during
the period of Maha Bharata. Barahi Temple of Devidhura, Tarkeshwar
Mandir of Champawat, Vanasur Fort of Vishung, Baleshwar Mandir of
Champawat, Sapteshwar Mandir of Sipti and Ghatotkasha temples are
believed to be of the great period of Maha Bharat. The ample evidence
is also available about the Katiyur dynasty, and its prosperity
in ancient times. There is a belief that the king Brahma Deo was
having his capital at Suie and his contemporary King Raja Arjun
Deo was having his capital at Daman Kot. The marriage of the daughter
of the King Arjun Deo with Sam Deo opened a door for Chandra dynasty
in this region. In around 1790, with the establishment of the Gorkharaj,
the Chandra Vansha came to its end. In 1814, the Britishers forced
the Gorkhas to leave the place. In the history of Indian independence
the history of the warriors of this region has been written in golden
letters for their sacrifices.
TOPOGRAPHY
Champawat mainly consists of mountain ranges, large
valleys, uneven landscapes, breaked cliffs, rivers and rivulets.
The important rivers are Ladhia, Sharda, Lohawati, Panaar. Jagbura
and Ramganga. All these rivers amalgamate with Kali River at Pancheswar.
Only the Sharda river which goes to Terai area flows through. on
the basis of geographical distribution it can be divided in three
main parts. First one, the 35 villages of Tanakpur (Purnagiri) Tehsil
fall in Terai area and are important from the view point of plain
and agricultural land and a warm area of an average height of 200
to 250 meter, having abundance of water and good soil. Second one
is Shivalik which is situated at a height of 250 to 1200 meter.
It represents a sloping and uneven topographical land consisting
of dense forests. Third one is hilly area the average height of
1500 mts ( from 1200 to 2200 mts).
CLIMATE
The climate of the district is very differential. Terai area is
hot whereas the hilly region is comparatively cold. High mountain
ranges are coveblack with snow. The climatic condition of Terai
and plains are similar, the seasonal rain is very high (about 20
cm. yearly). Summers are too hot and winters are too cold and foggy
in Terai region. The climate of Shivalik is more or less same but
the lower region of Himalayas experience cold climate throughout
the year. In summers, Champawat district is pleasant. The temperature
varies from 1 degree Celsius in the year to 35 degree Celsius. Summer
months are May, June and July whereas Dec and Jan are very cold.
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