Lawalong

Overview

Chatra district forms a part of the Upper Hazaribagh Plateau, Lower Hazaribagh Plateau and northern scarp. Located at an elevation of about 450 metres (1,476 ft), the general slope of the district is from north to south. Red laterite acidic soil predominates in an area that is primarily dependent upon rain-fed agriculture. Around 60% of the district is covered with forests. The district has a population density of 275 persons per sq km. Around two-thirds of the families in the district live below poverty line. In the extreme south of the district some portions of Tandwa CD Block are part of North Karanpura Coalfield.

Maoist activities

Jharkhand is one of the states affected by Maoist activities. As of 2012, Chatra was one of the 14 highly affected districts in the state. 5 persons were killed in Chatra district in 2012, but Maoist activities, such as arms training camps and organisation of ‘Jan Adalats’ (kangaroo courts) were on the decline. As of 2016, Chatra was identified as one of the 13 focus areas by the state police to check Maoist activities.

Location

Lawalong is located at 24°08′59″N 84°39′37″E.

Lawalong CD Block is bounded by Kunda and Chatra CD Blocks in the north, Simaria CD Block in the east, Bariyatu CD Block in Latehar district in the south and Panki CD Block in Palamu district in the west.

It is located 23 km from Chatra, the district headquarters.

Area

Lawalong CD Block has an area of 393.86 km².

Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary

Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary was notified in 1978. It covers an area of 207 sq km. Leopards, tigers, deer, wild boar and other animals are there in the sanctuary. Lilajan, Chako Nala and Amanat are rivers in and around the sanctuary.

Gram panchayats

There are 8 panchayats and 103 villages in Lawalong CD Block.

Gram panchayats of Lawalong CD Block/ panchayat samiti are: Rimi, Sildag, Mandhania, Lawalong, Hedum, Lamta, Kolkolekala and Katia.

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Lawalaung CD Block had a total population of 50,553, all of which were rural. There were 25,651 (51%) males and 24,902 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 10,669. Scheduled Castes numbered 28,926 (57.22%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 2,690 (5.32%).

Literacy

As of 2011 census the total number of literates in Lawalaung CD Block was 19,550 (49.02% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 12,001 (58.92% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 7,549 (30.33% of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 28.59%.

As of 2011 census, literacy in Chatra district was 60.18% Literacy in Jharkhand (for population over 7 years) was 66.41% in 2011. Literacy in India in 2011 was 74.04%.

Languages

Magahi is the local language in Chatra district. Nagpuri, Khortha, Hindi and Urdu are also spoken in the region.