Phulabani
Phulabani Location of Phulabani in Orissa and India
Coordinates	20°28′N 84°14′E / 20.47°N 84.23°E / 20.47; 84.23
Country	India
State	Orissa
District(s)	Kandhamal
Population	33,887 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Phulabani (Oriya:ଫୁଲବାଣି) (also known as Phulbani) is a town and a municipality in Kandhamal district in the Indian state of Orissa. It is the administrative headquarters of Kandhamal district.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Overview 4 Economy 5 Education 6 Politics 7 References

[edit] Geography

Phulabani is located at 20°28′N 84°14′E / 20.47°N 84.23°E / 20.47; 84.23.^[1] It has an average elevation of 485 metres (1591 feet).

It is located 211 km from Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa. Nearest railway station is Berhampur 165 km from here. The region around Phulbani has a variety of flora and fauna. It is a place surrounded by hills and has a lot of small and big waterfalls around it. Phulbani is surrounded by river Salunki.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[2] Phulabani had a population of 33,887. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Phulabani has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 68%. In Phulabani, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Overview

Phulbani once associated with its virgin forests and peaceful tribal people.

Major landmarks in Phulbani are Lord Jagarnth Temple, Collecterate office and Bada Padia field for hosting annual events. Phulbani also has a Barrack for Orissa Reserve Police near river salunki.

[edit] Economy

Phulbani also has a Farm for research activities of Orissa Horticulture and research on silk moths. The farm host a varied collection of Guava Plants found rarely elsewhere. It is famous for the production of good quality turmeric.

River salunki is heart of this regions agriculture, but due to lack of water this region has never been a success with agriculture. Mostly the economy is centered around wild plants and herbs. Salunki river has been associated with lot of ghost stories, in tribal folks as it killed a lot of people and cattle in floods in the past. In the last major flood was in 1981. The dam a pilasalunki has been successful in arresting sudden gauss of rain water in rainy season. The dam at pilasalunki is also a great place for picnics.

[edit] Education

The town has a Government college for intermediate, under graduate and post graduate studies. Some of the well known schools AJO high school, Govt. Girls High School,Police High School,Sri Satya Sai High School, Public School (English Medium), Carmel English Medium School and Saraswati Vidya Mandira. Carmel school is founded by carmeliti sisters of kerela.Phulbani also has a very old school. AJO (Alfred James Olson) High school in Phulbani was a Jail for central Orissa region during the the British rule and was converted to a school soon after India got independent.

[edit] Politics

Current MLA from Phulbani (SC) Assembly Constituency is Sri. Debendra Kanhar of BJD, who won the seat in State elections in 2009. Other previous MLAs from this seat were Mr. Padmanabha Behera, Bishnu Priya Behera who won this seat representing BJD in 2000, independent candidate Dasarathi Behera in 1995, Abhimanyu Behera of INC in 1985, Chandra Sekhar Behera of INC(I) in 1980 and Prahallad Behera of JNP in 1977.^[3]

Phulbani is part of Phulbani (Lok Sabha constituency).^[4] [[News views articles on Phulbani]http://kuidina.blogspot.com/]

[edit] References

v • d • e Cities and towns in Kandhamal district Kandhamal G. Udayagiri · Phulabani Cities and towns in other districts Angul · Balangir · Balasore · Bargarh · Bhadrak · Boudh · Cuttack · Debagarh · Dhenkanal · Gajapati · Ganjam · Jagatsinghpur · Jajpur · Jharsuguda · Kalahandi · Kendrapara · Kendujhar · Khordha · Koraput · Malkangiri · Mayurbhanj · Nabarangpur · Nayagarh · Nuapada · Puri · Rayagada · Sambalpur · Subarnapur · Sundergarh