Kapsi

Village in Chhattisgarh, India

Kapsi

Village

Netaji Chowk, Chhote Kapsi

Interactive map of Kapsi

Kapsi

Location in Chhattisgarh, India

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Kapsi

Kapsi (India)

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Coordinates: 20°05′27″N 80°40′37″E﻿ / ﻿20.0907444°N 80.6770786°E﻿ / 20.0907444; 80.6770786
Country|  India
State| Chhattisgarh
District| Kanker
Area

• Total| 11.93 km2 (4.61 sq mi)
Highest elevation

| 330 m (1,080 ft)
Lowest elevation

| 310 m (1,020 ft)
Population

(2011)

• Total| 4,179
• Density| 350/km2 (910/sq mi)
Languages

• Official| Chhattisgarhi, Hindi, Bangla
Time zone| UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN|

494 771

Telephone code| 91 7844
Vehicle registration| CG 19

Kapsi is a large marketplace village in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, India. It holds significance as a model village under two ambitious schemes of the Government of India, namely the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana and the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee National Rurban Mission.[1] It is also the headquarters of the Kapsi forest range, the East Kapsi forest subdivision and the Kapsi water resource subdivision.[2][3] Owing to its sizeable tribal population, it is defined as a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India.[4]

## Geography

[edit]

Location of Kapsi in Pakhanjur tehsil of Kanker district

Kapsi is located roughly 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of the tehsil headquarters Pakhanjur and 100 km (62 mi) southwest of the district headquarters Kanker. It is bordered by the Durgukondal tehsil to its northeast. Due to its location at the northernmost boundary of the erstwhile Paralkot jagir, it is also known as the Gateway of Paralkot.[5] Its proximity to the trijunction of Kanker and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki districts of Chhattisgarh and the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, makes it an important transit hub of the area.

Devda ravine flowing through Kapsi

Geographically, it lies in the northern lowlands of the Bastar plateau and is a part of the historical Dandakaranya region.[6][7] The elevation of the village ranges from 310 m (1,020 ft) to 330 m (1,080 ft) above sea level. The Devda ravine, a tributary of Kotri river, meanders through the heart of the village and serves as its lifeline.[8][9] The region primarily features fertile lateritic soil, which is well-suited to agriculture due to its fine texture and darker hues.[7] With its dense green cover, undulating terrain, hillocks, and stream courses, the region harbours habitats for diverse flora and fauna.

## Demography

[edit]

According to 2011 Census of India, Kapsi had a total population of 4,179.

Bade Kapsi had a population of 1129 with 14.70% of the population under six years of age. The sex ratio was 1034 females per 1,000 males. Male literacy was 64.63% and female literacy was 51.64%. The effective literacy rate was 58.05%, which was lower than the Chhattisgarh state average of 70.28%.

Chhote Kapsi had a population of 3050 with 11.54% of the population under six years of age. The sex ratio was 992 females per 1,000 males. Male literacy was 88.54% and female literacy was 79.27%. The effective literacy rate was 83.91%, which was higher than the Chhattisgarh state average of 70.28%.

## Government and politics

[edit]

### Administration

[edit]

From the administrative perspective, Kapsi is divided into two independent gram panchayats (village councils) namely:

1. Bade Kapsi: It lies to the east of the Devda ravine and covers an area of 7.55 square kilometres (2.92 sq mi). It is often referred to as Purana Kapsi in maps published by the Geological Survey of India.[2][10]
2. Chhote Kapsi: It lies to the west of the Devda ravine and covers an area of 4.36 square kilometres (1.68 sq mi). It is often referred to as Naya Kapsi in maps published by the GSI.[2][10][11]

Both the gram panchayats fall under the administrative jurisdiction of the Koyalibeda Janapad Panchayat.

#### Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

[edit]

Chhote Kapsi was the first village in the Kanker parliamentary constituency to be identified for development under the ambitious Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana of the Government of India.[12] The inaugural ceremony was flagged off at a public event on 27 March 2015, by then Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Vikram Usendi, in presence of government officials and public representatives from the district.[13] The primary objective of the scheme is to develop model villages to provide better standards of living and quality of life for inclusive growth of the rural population through improved basic amenities, better livelihood opportunities, enriched social capital, etc.[14]

However, after the initial fanfare the scheme failed to achieve its declared objectives in the development of the village due to apathy, poor planning and lack of funds.[15]

#### Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission

[edit]

Tree-lined avenue in front of Forest Colony, Bade Kapsi

Under the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission, also known as the National Rurban Mission (NRuM), Bade Kapsi has been identified as a tribal cluster and one of the 300 Rurban clusters across the country aimed at making the rural areas socially, economically and physically sustainable regions.[16][17][18] The integrated cluster action plan (ICAP) for the cluster was approved by the Govt. of India in 2018 under the phase II of NRuM.[19]

The Bade Kapsi Rurban cluster comprises five gram panchayats, which together consist of several geographically contiguous villages.[16]

Bade Kapsi Rurban Cluster  Gram Panchayat  | Village

|

Aalor  | Aalor
Vishrampuri
Bade Kapsi  | Bade Kapsi
P.V. 57
P.V. 58
Bapu Nagar  | P.V. 35
P.V. 120
Chhote Kapsi  | Chhote Kapsi
Shrinagar (P.V. 130)
Vallabhnagar (P.V. 56)
Harangarh  | Donde
Devipur
Harangarh

#### Town and Country Planning

[edit]

In order to regulate the development of land and its use in the cluster and to achieve a planned and holistic development, the Directorate of Town and Country Planning of the Government of Chhattisgarh has established the Bade Kapsi Planning Area on 1 March 2017. The planning area boundary comprises six gram panchayats — all five gram panchayats of the Bade Kapsi Rurban cluster and the additional gram panchayat of Premnagar.[20] The land use map, covering an area of 40.4 square kilometres (15.6 sq mi), was published and notified in the State Gazette on 28 September 2018.[9][21]

### Utilities

[edit]

#### Electricity

[edit]

The Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) operates a feeder substation and distribution centre at Bade Kapsi, which supplies power to the locality and collects payments for electricity bills.[22]

#### Telephone and internet

[edit]

State owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) provides wired landline, 2G/3G cellular telephony and fibre broadband internet services in Kapsi. Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (Jio) has started providing 4G LTE cellular services since November 2021 and 5G services since July 2023. However, the quality of voice and internet services remain dismal from both the telecom service providers due to undercapacity and lack of investment in upgrading their infrastructure.

A non-functional cellular tower erected by the now defunct Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM) of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group also exists. Both the BSNL and RCOM facilities were vandalised and set on fire by Maoist rebels in an attack in December 2008. The BSNL services were reinstated within a few weeks after the incident whereas the RCOM service remained suspended and was subsequently withdrawn.[23][24]

### Healthcare

[edit]

Due insufficient healthcare facilities, the residents primarily rely on home-made remedies and quackery as the first response to medical needs. The government run Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the village is heavily understaffed and underequipped to provide any meaningful treatment even to the outpatients. A couple of privately run health facilities provide primary healthcare. Higher healthcare needs are referred to cities such as Dalli Rajhara, Dhamtari, Bhilai and Raipur.

## Economy

[edit]

### Agriculture

[edit]

The economy of Kapsi is chiefly agrarian. Large scale cultivation of paddy and maize are undertaken throughout Rabi and Kharif crop seasons. Fish farming and dairy farming are other major primary sector activities practised by the populace. Under the aegis of Department of Fisheries, Govt. Of Chhattisgarh, the Bade Kapsi Rurban Cluster has become an important centre for pisciculture in the state, even exporting to the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Odisha.[16] Sericulture and horticulture are also gradually gaining ground, albeit practised by a few.

### Forest produce

[edit]

Forests play an important role in the lives of the people, providing food and livelihood by way of minor forest produce and employment as casual labour in the Forest department. They provide for consumer needs such fuel, firewood, medicines, food, beverages, and housing materials, among others.[25]

### Trade and commerce

[edit]

Kapsi hosts a regular market that provides goods and services to the surrounding locality.[1][5] The Netaji market in Chhote Kapsi is the main commercial hub of the area. A new market in Bade Kapsi is also quickly taking shape to cater to the growing business requirements.

The following public-sector banks operate in Kapsi:

Bank | Branch

|

State Bank of India | Kapsi
Chhattisgarh State Rural Bank | Kapsi
District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd. | Bade Kapsi
India Post Payments Bank | Chhote Kapsi

## Tourism

[edit]

Spillway of Kherkatta Dam during monsoon

Kherkatta Dam, officially known as Paralkot Reservoir (Devanagari: परलकोट जलाशय) is a popular local tourist spot and the largest dam in the district. It is built across the Kotri River near the village of Kherkatta, 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Kapsi. The construction of this medium irrigation project began in 1966 and was completed in 1981 by the Dandakaranya Development Authority, over a period of 15 years.[26]

During the monsoon rains, it sees a large influx of visitors from all over the district as well as from the neighbouring districts, especially when water spills-over from the 12 m (39 ft) high spillway.[27] Despite repeated demands by the public for its beautification and development of recreational activities such as boating to attract more tourists round the year, it remains devoid of even the basic amenities.[28]

## Transport

[edit]

### Road

[edit]

Kapsi is situated on Chhattisgarh State Highway 25 and is served only by road transport.[29] It is well connected to all regional towns and cities by buses operated at regular intervals. For local commute, auto rickshaws and share taxis are available throughout the day.

Badgaon-Kapsi section on Chhattisgarh State Highway 25

The approximate distance of regional towns and cities from Kapsi is as follows:

Place | Distance

|

Pakhanjur | 10 km (6.2 mi)
Bande | 30 km (19 mi)
Durgukondal | 35 km (22 mi)
Manpur | 40 km (25 mi)
Bhanupratappur | 60 km (37 mi)
Antagarh | 70 km (43 mi)
Dalli Rajhara | 90 km (56 mi)
Kanker | 100 km (62 mi)
Gadchiroli | 100 km (62 mi)
Dhamtari | 140 km (87 mi)
Durg-Bhilai | 170 km (110 mi)
Raipur | 220 km (140 mi)
Jagdalpur | 240 km (150 mi)

### Rail

[edit]

Imprints of the final location survey of Gadchiroli-Bhanupratappur rail line near New Colony in Kapsi

Kapsi is not connected to the network of Indian Railways. The nearest local railway station is Keoti (KETI), at a distance of 50 km (31 mi) from Kapsi, on the Dalli Rajhara–Jagdalpur line. Daily DEMU services connect this station to Raipur via Durg. The nearest long-haul railway station is Durg Jn. (DURG), 180 km (110 mi) away on the Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line.

There has been demands from various quarters to construct the proposed Gadchiroli-Bhanupratappur rail line via Durgukondal, Kapsi and Pakhanjur instead of via Manpur.[30][31][32] This proposed line would serve as an alternative route between Nagpur and Vishakhapatnam — one of the busiest freight corridors in the country — by linking the Nagpur-Wadsa-Gadchiroli line to the Bhanupratappur-Jagdalpur-Vishakhapatnam line. When completed, this line would provide a much needed impetus to the development of this remote area.[33]

In May 2022, the Ministry of Railways (India) provided an in-principle approval for the survey of this line. Subsequently, it allocated a budget of ₹3.37 crore (US$400,000) for the survey.[34][35] Given the importance of this project, the South Eastern Central Railway zone fast-tracked the regulatory process and in August of the same year floated tenders for the final location survey and preparation of the Detailed Project Report.[36][37] The survey was commissioned soon after, also tracing its way through Kapsi as a possible station enroute. As of 30 July 2023, the results of the survey including its status, the final route and the deadline are yet to be made public.

### Air

[edit]

The nearest domestic airport from Kapsi is Swami Vivekananda Airport in Naya Raipur, approximately 210 km (130 mi) away.

## Education

[edit]

For primary and secondary school education, Kapsi has a number of Hindi as well as English medium schools, run by the government and private institutions. The quality of education in these schools is generally good with a fair emphasis on extracurricular activities, though the infrastructure is just about satisfactory given the rural setting. The colleges in the district impart basic post-secondary higher education. For good quality and specialised higher education, people are entirely dependent on the larger cities.

## Human-wildlife conflict

[edit]

Signboard of Kapsi Forest Range on Chhattisgarh State Highway 25

Though instances of human-wildlife conflict in the region have been rare, a rapidly increasing human population contributing to high biodiversity interactions between people and wild animals are becoming more and more prevalent.

In July 2023, an adolescent wild elephant strayed from its group while traversing the forests and entered the residential areas of Kapsi, leading to chaos and panic for two days. Besides causing damage to several houses and crops in the neighbourhood, it trampled a man to death in the Silk Farm premises of Bade Kapsi despite efforts by the forest department officials to prevent conflict.[38][39]

In June 2023, three persons belonging to Maharashtra were arrested from Matoli village by the Kapsi forest department officials for trying to smuggle a live Pangolin, whose market value was estimated at ₹15 lakh (US$18,000).[40][41]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Sankalan - Initiatives in SAGY Gram Panchayats" (PDF). National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
2. ^ a b c "Chhattisgarh Forest Cover Map - Sheet No. 64 D12". Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
3. ^ "Chhattisgarh: Official who gave 'nod' to drain weir to retrieve mobile phone suspended". Deccan Herald. PTI. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
4. ^ "Scheduled Areas (States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh) Order, 2003". Bareactslive.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
5. ^ a b Sharma, Shantanu Nandan (19 January 2020). "Meet the Bengali refugees who now dominate businesses, farms in Chhattisgarh's tribal belt". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
6. ^ "About Chhattisgarh". Cgclimatechange.com.
7. ^ a b "BASTAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN-SN1027" (PDF). National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
8. ^ "छोटेकापसी पुल के पास देवदा नदी में फैली जलकुंभी पानी हो रहा दूषित". Naidunia.com. 13 June 2022.
9. ^ a b "Map of Bade Kapsi : 6 Structure Plan" (PDF). Tcp.cg.gov.in. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
10. ^ a b "कांकेर जिले का नक्शा". tcp.cg.gov.in. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
11. ^ "Maharashtra East - Naya Kapsi R4" (PDF). Survey of India, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
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13. ^ "Hindi ePaper, EPaper Download, Online Epaper, Newspaper in Hindi, Today Newspaper". Epaper.patrika.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
14. ^ https://saanjhi.gov.in/pdf/Guidelines_English.pdf [bare URL PDF]
15. ^ "Epic Fanfare and Poor Planning: Why PM Modi's Model Villages Scheme Isn't Working". 29 June 2020.
16. ^ a b c "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2022.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
17. ^ https://rurban.gov.in/
18. ^ https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/shyama-prasad-mukherji-rurban-mission
19. ^ "SPMRM | Ministry of Rural Development | GOI".
20. ^ https://tcp.cg.gov.in/vikasyojna/KANKER/par/Kapasi/Kapasi.pdf
21. ^ https://tcp.cg.gov.in/vikasyojna/KANKER/elu/Bade Kapsi/Bade kapsi-ELU.pdf
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23. ^ "Maoists attack BSNL, R-Com facilities". Hindustan Times. IANS. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
24. ^ "All quiet during Maoist bandh in Kanker". The Times of India. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
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26. ^ "Significance in Dandakaranya". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
27. ^ "लबालब भरा जलाशय देखने उमड़ रही भीड़". 12 August 2022.
28. ^ "फॉरेनर्स ने छत्तीसगढ़ की इस खास जगह का नाम दिया है "परलकोट हेवन", यह है खासियत" [Tourists Places in Chhattisgarh: Foreigners named this Paralkot Haven]. Patrika News (in Hindi). 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
29. ^ "छत्तीसगढ़ राजपत्र, दिनांक 22 मई 2009" (PDF). indiacode.nic.in (in Hindi). 22 May 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
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31. ^ "रेलवे लाइन बनने पर सीधे महाराष्ट्र से जुड़ जाएगा कांकेर:नक्सल प्रभावित भानुप्रतापपुर गढ़चिरौली रेल लाइन सर्वे के लिए 3.37 करोड़ रुपए मंजूर". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Retrieved 20 July 2023.
32. ^ "केंद्रीय बजट में प्रोजेक्ट:भानुप्रतापपुर-गढ़चिरौली तक 133 किमी रेल लाइन बिछेगी". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Retrieved 20 July 2023.
33. ^ "SECR exploring new route to Southern India via Gadchiroli, orders final location survey". The Hitavada. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
34. ^ "Extension of railway line to connect Kanker with Maharashtra". The Times of India. 10 August 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
35. ^ "SECR exploring new route to Southern India via Gadchiroli, orders final location survey". www.thehitavada.com. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
36. ^ "New rly line cutting jumbo route in offing". The Times of India. 26 August 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
37. ^ "Integrated Budgetary Financial Figures For South East Central Railway" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
38. ^ "बड़े कापसी में जंगली हाथी के हमले से एक युवक की हुई मौत". livevns.news (in Hindi). 8 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
39. ^ "जंगली हाथी देखने का शौक युवक को पड़ा भारी, हाथी ने पटक-पटक मार डाला". NDTVIndia. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
40. ^ "Watch Breaking News Three smugglers from Maharashtra arrested for smuggling live pangolins, the price being told 15 lakhs | ZEE5 Latest News". ZEE5. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
41. ^ "Kanker: जिंदा पेंगोलिन की तस्करी करते महाराष्ट्र के तीन तस्कर गिरफ्तार, 15 लाख बताई जा रही कीमत". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 20 July 2023.