Dhenkanal District is situated on the Cuttack Sambalpur Road( NH 55) and the Cuttack Sambalpur S.E. Railway line. It is bounded by the Keonjhar District in north, Cuttack district in south, Jajpur in the east and Angul in the west.

It is commonly believed that it owes, its name to a Savara chief called Dhenka who formerly ruled over in this tract.

This District contains a centre of religions movement called " Mahima Dharma " since last 100 years or more and spread over through out the Indian Union. The religious movement in the medieval period also touched to this District. The famous " Kapilash Hill " which is popularly known as the "Kailash" of Utkal is also in this district. Lord Chandrasekhar Mahadev temple is set up at the top of the hill.

Some large scale industries like Nilachal Refractories, Utkal Asbestos Ltd, Odisha Polyfibres Ltd, Shakti sugar are established in this district.

The climate of this district is generally hot with high humidity during April and May and cold during December and January. The monsoon generally breaks during the month of June.

Most part of this district are covered with dense forest and a long range of hills. Therefore this district is called as the "Home of elephants and tigers for the country".

An agricultural district like Dhenkanal gains much from forests which plays an important role in the economy of the district. The principal forest products are Timber, Bamboo, Fire wood and Kendu leaf. The minor forest products are Lac, Honey, Kenduli Gum, Wax, Mahua flower, Sunari fark, Siali Leaves, Catechus, Tassar Cocoons and other raw materials used for medicine.

1.1 Locations, Area and Administrative Division

                           Dhenkanal is a land- locked district with a total geographical coverage of 4452 Sq. Km. Dhenkanal district is one of the centrally located district in Orissa. It lies between:

   Longitude  :   85° 58' to 86° 2' East and

   Latitude    :   20° 29' to 21° 11' North.

      Geographical Area            :    4452 Sq. km.    

      Forest Cover                  :    1737.62 Sq. km.                

Population                      :    11, 92,948           

Males                            :    6, 12,597

Females                         :   5, 80,351                                                             

Sex Ratio                       :   947 per 1000 Male

Population density           :    268 (Per sq. km.)

Rural Population              :    9, 73,964 (As per census 2001)

Urban Population             :    92,914 (As per Census 2001

S.T.                              :    1, 36,501 (12.79%), as per 2001 census

S.C.                              :    1, 97,280 (18.49%), as per 2001 census

Number of Sub-Divisions    :     3

Number of Blocks              :     8

Number of GPs                 :     199

Number of Villages            :     1215

Number of Tehsils             :      8                                                                                                                                   

Literacy Rate                   :     79.41 % (As per Provisional population -2011)

Male Literate                   :      87.08 % (                ,,            )

Female Literate                :     71.40%   (                ,,            ) 

Neighboring districts: 

               Dhenkanal District is situated on the Cuttack Sambalpur Road (NH 55) and the Cuttack Sambalpur S.E.Railway line. It is bounded by the Keonjhar District in north, Cuttack district in south, Jajpur in the east and Angul in the west.

      Some large scale industries like Nilachal Refractories, Utkal Asbestos Ltd, Orissa Polyfibres Ltd, Shakti sugar are established in this district. 

      The climate of this district is generally hot with high humidity during April and May and cold during December and January. The monsoon generally breaks during the month of June.

     Most part of this district is covered with dense forest and a long range of hills. Therefore this district is called as the "Home of elephants and tigers for the country".

     An agricultural district like Dhenkanal gains much from forests which plays an important role in the economy of the district. The principal forest products are Timber, Bamboo, Fire wood and Kendu leaf. The minor forest products are Lac, Honey, Kenduli Gum, Wax, Mahua flower, Sunari fark, Siali Leaves, Catechus, Tassar Cocoons and other raw materials used for medicine.

1.2 Topography:

   For practical purpose, this district can be divided in to three natural divisions 

           1. Southern hilly region.

           2. The river Valley with tributains. 

           3. The northern hilly region.

The district head quarter, Dhenkanal is 87 Kms from the State Capital, Bhubaneswar.

1.3 This district has mainly five varieties of soil.

           1. Alluvial soil                                 - Available in river valley.

           2. Red leam soil                              - Available in high Land.

           3. Sandy loan soil                           - Found in Patches.

           4. Gravelly soil                               - Found in hill slopes.

           5. Cleaving loan soil                        - Found through out the district

1.4. Climate

                The Climate of the Dhenkanal Dist. is hot and dry sub humid type with an average annual rainfall of 1696 mm. The average minimum and maximum temperatures are 19.6° C and33.3°C respectively. The humidity generally high varying from 31 to 88%.The Clothing required is Light Cotton in Summer and Woolen in Winter. The best season to visit this place is Winter.                                                                          

2. Area and Administrative Divisions:

                The District of Dhenkanal is divided into three administrative Sub-Divisions namely (i) Sadar - Sub-Division with head quarters at Dhenkanal (ii) Hindol Sub-Division with head quarters at Hindol (iii) Kamakhyanagar Sub-Division with head quarters at Kamakhyanagar. Besides the district is divided into 8 Tehsils, 199 Grampanchayats, and 1215 villages, 15 Police stations (Including mahila P.S.),10 fire stations, 04 Assembly constituencies  3 Towns , 02 no. of   NACs , 01 Municipality.

2.1. Mineral Resources | NRIS | Environments | Probable Disasters |

       The district is geologically less significant as far as the economic mineral deposits and mining activities are concerned. However presently M/S. OMC Ltd. and M/S. Facor Ltd have captive mines at Kathapal with chromite reserve of 0.289 million tones and 0.30 million tones respectively. Prospecting license has been granted for development of graphite querries near Kabera and Bandhabhuin villages of Hindol Sub-Division.

      Chromite: Important occurrences of Chromite are reported in Kathapal area (73 g/12) of Dhenkanal district. It constitutes the westward extension of chromite bearing ultramafics of Sukinda valley. The Chromite occurs as discontinuous bands and lences. They are medium to fine grained, hard, compact and lumpy type. A total reverse of 0.589 million tones of Chromite has been estimated in this area. Besides, chromiferous ultramafics have been identified in Maulabhanj Parbat near Mahulpal and Samal villages (73H/9&13) of K.Nagar and Bhuban blocks.

        Kyanites: Important refractory grade kyanite occurrences have been reported near Torondanali, Jhilli, Magarmuhan and Kadobasant  area (73 G/8&H/5) of K.Nagar and Pallahara sub-divisions. A total of 0.616 million tones reverse has been estimated with Al 2 O 3 and Fe2 O 3 percentage varying between 23 to 53 and 2.8 to 15 respectively.

       Semi Precious Stones: Gem variety granites like Rhodolite, Almodine, Haesonite, occurs in Gotrei,Ghagarmunda, Katmunda, Asanabahali and Tipeijharan in K.Nagar sub – division of Dhenkanal district(T.S.NO:73H/6) .Besides , Moonstones are available at Nakanaki of the above sub – division.

        Graphite: Occurrences of graphite around the villages Karbera (20037’34”N-85008’15” E) and Bandhabhuin (20037’36”N-85008’55”E) in Hindol sub – division featuring in 73 H/2 have been located .The fixed carbon content varies between 19 to 20%.

       Chinaclay: Chinaclay Occurrences are found in small pockets within the granitic terrain at Karanda and Dudurkot of Hindol sub-division (73H/6).The percentage of Al 2 O 3 varies between 11.4 to 14.3.Si O 2 from 18.2 to 23.6 and Fe 2 O 3 from 5.6 to 7.2.These Occurrences do not bear any economic significance as they are unsuitable for refractory industries.

       Dimension Stones: Dimension Stones of economic importance are reported around Kranda, Banandha, Hirapur villages of Hindol sub division (T.S.NO:73H/6) and Radhadeipur-Latadeipur area (T.S.NO:73H/9) of Dhenkanal sub division 25,800 cu.m. dimension stones bodies have been identified in the district which are suitable for polishing of decorative stone industries.

       Natural Resources Information System(NRIS): Gram Panchayat level NRIS studies have ben completed in 10 Grampanchayats of Gondia block and the remaining 14 Grampanchayats are to be covered in the succeeding years. Accordingly the prepared geological, geomorphological,land use,soil and hydro geological maps and socio-economic data so collected can be utilized by the rural development authorities for planning of development of wasteland ,better cropping pattern, development of ground water harvesting structures etc.

        Environments: Dhenkanal district itself free from environmental pollution. However, discharge of flyash, toxic gases to air and industrial wastes, toxic effluents in to Brahmani river from coal burning industries of neighboring Angul district  may  partially pollute the air and river water. Water and air pollution to be prevented through proper environmental management and planning. Degradation of forest land is responsible for high temperature in the district during summer. Forest conservation Act should be strictly promulgated and forest areas are to be protected to address the problem.

        Probable Geological Disasters: Dhenkanal district comes within Mahanandi Grabben. The two major faults i.e. North Orissa Boundary Fault (NOBF) and Mahanandi Shear constituting Mahanandi Grabben are not active at present. Since Mahanandi Grabben fall sunder zone III of seismic map of India, the district may experience mild to moderate tremour with intensity of 3 to 5 in the Richter scale. If those two faults will be reactivated. Otherwise, the people of Dhenkanal district should not be scared for any major geological disaster.

2.2. Forests:

        Out of the total extent of 4452 Sq. kms. of the district a major part comprising of 1737.62 Sq. kms is covered with forests. The forest area are scattered through out the district. The principal species is sal with other associates mostly bamboos.

2.3. Flora:

                  The district may roughly be divided into two botanical divisions, the one comprising the narrow valleys and the alluvial plains and the other consisting of undulating tracts broken by hills and mountain ranges. The vegetation in the district is mostly of dry deciduous type. At places tropical moist deciduous and semi evergreen mixed types are also noticed.

2.4. Fauna:

                  The extensive and dense forests of the district harbor a great number of wild animals. There are wild elephants in deeper recesses. The yearly loss of human life and damage to crops by wild elephants is considerable.

2.5. Climate and Rainfall

         Climate of the district is generally of high humidity. May is usually the hottest month. Occurrence of large number of fire accidents is a regular feature of the district during the summer months i.e. April to May. December is the coolest month of the year.

         Monsoon generally commences from 14^th June every year. Average rainfall of the district is 1428.8 mm. The rainfall during June to December constitutes at least 75% of the annual rainfall of the district. There are averages 73 rainy days in a year in the district. Normal and actual rainfall of Dhenkanal district for the last 20 years is as follows:

2.6 Socio-Economic Features

             Agriculture is the major sources of income in the district of Dhenkanal. But many people have small business. Some people in the Municipality and other town-areas have sound business of hotels and restaurants. The district of Dhenkanal has got many tourist spots and religious places such as: Kapilas, Saptasajya, Joranda etc.  Which attract tourists and picnickers round the year. Income generated from tourists is moderate.

2.7   Agriculture and Cropping Pattern.

                                Total area.                                :             4, 30,477 hects.

                                Total cultivated area in the district:             1, 83,841 hects.

                                Total paddy area.                       :             1, 02,770 hects

                                Total non-paddy area                  :             1, 03,886 hects.

                                Coverage croppies

                                               a)            Paddy         :              97,226 hects.

                                               b)            Non-paddy   :             72,253 hects.

2.8   River Systems and Dams.

The district of Dhenkanal has given ways to the following rivers.

                Brahmani

           Ramiala

           Sapul

The detail information about these rivers is given below:

             River Brahmani

Gauge point          :       Rajghat

Warning Level       :       9.45 metre/12.00ft

Danger Level        :       10.36 metre/15.00ft

Highest Level        :       20.80ft (16.10.85) and 12.20 Meters (7.8.98)

  The river Brahmani originates from Chhotnagpur hill of Bihar State and enters Dhenkanal district near Olmar.

2.9   Industries and Mines

The factories and chemical hazardous units in Dhenkanal District are listed below:

1. UAL Orissa, Koreian, Dhenkanal -Asbostos

2. Nilachal Refractories Ltd., Siminoi Gundichapara Dhenkanal-Fireelay Refractory High Alumina

3. Orissa Air Products (P) Ltd. , Gundichapara Dhenkanal- Co2  Gas & Oxygen

4. IPI Steels Ltd. , Gundichapara Dhenkanal- Tor Rods Flats.

5. Sakti Sugar Ltd., Haripur, Dhenkanal- Sugar

6. Nava Bharat Ventures Ltd. Kharagprasad, Dhenkanal –High Carbon Ferro Chrome.

7. Nerbheram Power & Steel Ltd. Gundichapara Dhenkanal-Spong Iron & Power Plant.

8. Sourav Alloyas & Steel (P) Ltd, Bahandei, Dhenkanal- M.S. Ingot & Pencil Ingot.

9. Bhusan Steel Ltd. (Sec.82&2 cb), Narendrapur, Dhenkanal.

10. Rana Sponge Ltd., Kulei, Dhenkanal- Sponge Iron & Power Plant.

11. Hind Metals & Industries (P) Ltd. Meramundali, Dhenkanal-Ferro Allays.

12. Mangilall Rungta, Tulasidiha, Dhenkanal – Silico Manganese.

13. BRG Iron & Steel Co (P) Ltd., Kurunti, Dhenkanal –Ferro Alloyas

14 . Suivananda Ferro Alloys (P), Gundichipara, Dhenkanal - Silico Manganese.

15.  Samal Metalic (P) Ltd. Kharagprasad, Dhenkanal.-Sponge Iron

16. M/s- MGM Steels Ltd. Nimidha, Dhenkanal –Not Started Production.

17. Buivee Profiles & Stainless, Kurunti Dhenkanal - Steel Plant

2.10   Transport and Communication Network

The Principal means of transport is by road as the National Highway no-55 runs through the district. The rail line from Sambalpur to the Cuttack and State Capital Bhubaneswar goes across Dhenkanal, Hindol road and Meramundali. The District headquarter has got convenient connectivity with all major cities of the state and also with the neighboring districts. The PWD roads are spread well across all the Blocks, but most of them get submerged during floods