Demographics of Orissa

Orissa has a population of 32 million. About 87% of the population live in the villages and one third of the rural population does not own any land other than homesteads. Following India’s independence, Orissa has been severely neglected by the central government in New Delhi. The government, which typically has been formed by the Congress Party has made shockingly little investment in transportation, infrastructure and education in Orissa, which is why Orissa lags behind the other states.

Only 20% of the road network is paved. In rural areas more than 65% of the population have no access to safe drinking water. However the state is blessed with abundant natural resources and a coastline, and is receiving unprecedented investments in steel, aluminum, power, refineries and ports. The state capital holds the promise of being one of the centers for software technology in India. It appears that the state is destined to become one of the industrial powerhouses of India in a decade.

The aborgines or tribes, known as Adivasis, constitute 24% of the population, belonging to 62 different ethnic communities. Their traditional around the forest ecosystem. Over the years collection of forest produce, hunting and persuasion of other traditional ways of living have become increasingly difficult, influencing socio-cultural life. Issues with modernisation and industrial activities, such as mining, construction of dams, roads, railways have grown to become a concern affecting their very traditional livelihood and have displaced the Adivasi communities.