Gajapati District has been named after Maharaja Sri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo (The first primeminister of Odisha State) who is remembered for his contribution in formation of a separate Odisha province and inclusion of Paralakhemundi estate in Odisha. It got a District status on 2nd October 1992 after bifurcated from Ganjam District. There are 7 Tahasils, 7 Blocks, 1,534 Villages, 149 Gram Panchayats and 11 Police stations.
The colourful cultural mosaic, linguistic babel, bio-diversity and tourism potentialities of Gajapati district deserve public attention for efflorescence and Government’s care for protection and preservation. The entire district is dotted with many places of religious and secular interests and graced with vast wilderness of idyllic beauty, pastoral panorama, scenic, serine and sacred countenance.
Covering an area of 3850 sq km, Gajapati District lies between 18°.6’ to 19°.39’ North Latitude and 83°.48’ to 84°.08’ East Longitude. Climatic condition in the Gajapati District varies between 16 degree to 40 degree Celsius and the normal rainfall received is 1403.30 mm.The District is surrounded by Andhra Pardesh in its South, Ganjam District in its East, Rayagada in its West and Kandhamal in its North. The soil and climate is suitable for plantation of crops and there is a great potential of horticulture development in the District. More than 60 percent of lands are situated in hilly terrain and high lands. Those are mainly suitable for horticulture. Other cultivable land are coming under medium lands (20 percent) and low lands (15 percent) category.Economy of Gajapati District is agrarian in character. The geography and the climate are favourable for production of crops like paddy, sugarcane, sunflower, oilseeds, etc.
Total population of the Gajapati District (2011 census) was 5,77,817 comprising total 2,82,882 male population and 2,94,935 female population. Total SC population of the District is 39,175 and total ST population of the District is 3,13,714.
Under Mission Shakti WSHGs are formed both in rural and urban areas for Socio-economic development of women. Now 11,241 WSHGs are existing in Gajapati District. Mainly the livelihoods of the tribal groups depends upon the forest products like timber, bamboo, Hill broom, Patalgaruda, Soap nut, B.Kaliakhali, Marsinga leaf, Dhatuki flowers, Kochila seeds, Genduli Gum, Siali leaves, Kath Alai etc. Apart from this the WSHGs are involved in different income generationg activities such as preparing badi, pappad, pickels,spices maintaing grocerry shops, rendering public bus service, milk business, MDM, Pisciculture, supplying hospital diet to DHH & CHC.
