POPULATION DYNAMICS OF BANKA DISTRICT, BIHAR

The study of man is done as 'Urban' and 'Rural' as rural life and
urban life present sharp contrast all over the world and the contrast is
sharpest in India. The importance of the study of population geography
of any place is of growing significance due to its dynamic nature. Now,
human resources is treated as the barometer of economic growth of a
nation or region.

Banka district is a new district (1991) carved out form old

Bhagalpur district (presently an Administrative Division). The surface of
Banka district is almost plain and is traversed by several streams, having
their sources in the hills of Santhal Pargana. The forest of the Banka
Range exists mainly on the hill slopes and their outskirts. The district
has 11 Blocks and only two urban centers. The district has a total
population of 20, 29, 339 persons (2011). S.T. persons are 75,070 (or
4.67% of the total population of the district, 2001), while S.C. persons
are 2,00,059 or 12.44% of the total population.

Dr. Jitendra Tiwari

(M.A., Ph.D)
Department of Geography
Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya
 POPULATION DYNAMICS OF BANKA DISTRICT, BIHAR
Dr. Jitendra Tiwari
(M.A, Ph.D)
Department of Geography
Magadh Uviversity Bodh-Gaya

Abstract:- The study of man is done as 'Urban' and 'Rural' as rural life
and urban life present sharp contrast all over the world and the contrast
is sharpest in India. The importance of the study of population
geography of any place is of growing significance due to its dynamic
nature. Now, human resources is treated as the barometer of economic
growth of a nation or region.

Banka district is a new district (1991) carved out form old

Bhagalpur district (presently an Administrative Division). The surface of
Banka district is almost plain and is traversed by several streams,
having their sources in the hills of Santhal Pargana. The forest of the
Banka Range exists mainly on the hill slopes and their outskirts. The
district has 11 Blocks and only two urban centers. The district has a
total population of 20, 29, 339 persons (2011). S.T. persons are 75,070
(or 4.67% of the total population of the district, 2001), while S.C.
persons are 2,00,059 or 12.44% of the total population.
Introduction:-
"Population geography lays emphasis on 'spatial' dimension in the
distribution, density, structure and composition, mobility and migration,
dynamics and growth, demographic processes and other demographic
fact. Population geography is the study of spatial variations in human
population. Population geography deals with the demographic facts, in
their present environmental context as well as the causes, their origin
and characteristics and possible consequences.
The phenomenon of population growth has special significance. it
is considered as a vital index of a regions economic development.
Population growth is, thus, pivotal in the regions demographic
dynamism, it is due to this feature with which all other characteristics of
population are intimately related and from which they derive their
significance. In fine, the understanding of population growth in an area
holds the key to the understanding of the entire demographic structure
of the area.
The growth of urban population is very important in respect of
population geography. Population is growing more and more, then the
resources.
Growth is regarded as the change in the size of population
whether it increases or decreases. The reason for calling this chapter as
"Population Growth" rather than "Population Change" is that at
national level very few populations are dealing. Population is a function
of three variables; births, deaths and migration.
 Population growth or dynamics is equilibrium between forces of
increment and development. Perhaps no other attribute of population
in an area contributes as much to its demographic dynamism as does
the growth of its population. The population is dynamic and
consequently changing. Population growth in an area is an index of its
economic development, social awakening, cultural background,
historical events and political ideology.

The term "Growth of Population or dynamics of Population"

means 'a change in population numbers inhabiting a territory during a
specific period of time, irrespective of the change is positive or
negative'. This change or dynamics can be measured both in terms of
absolute numbers and percentage. There are four ways in which the
number of people in an area can change :- (i) someone may be born in
the area, (ii) an inhabitant may die, (iii) an outsider may move into the
area, (iv) a resident may move-out. Thus the population growth is not a
unitary phenomenon, but it consists of "four major components-
fertility, mortality, immigration and emigration.

"Population change has been defined in terms of mortality,

fertility and migration".

Population geographers have been calculating the growth of

population for a period of ten years.
THE STUDY AREA

Banka district was a sub-erstwhile Bhagalpur district and was

upgraded into a full-fledged district on 21st February.1991. The district
lies between north latitude 24030'0' to 250 07'0" and east longitude 860
30'00" to 87012'00". It covers a parts the degree sheet number 72k,
720, 72L and 72P of Survery of India. The geographical area of the
district is 3019.5 km2. It's district Headquarter is in Banka town. the
district is bounded in the north by Bhagalpur, in the south by Deoghar,
in the east by Godda, in the west by Jamui, in the NVV by Munger and
in the southeast by Dumka district. There are 11 development blocks in
district. The fallowing blocks are there (1) Banka (2) Dhoraiya (3)
Barahat (4) Bousi (5) Amarpur (6) Phulidumar (7) Shambhugani (8)
Balhar (9) Katoriya (10) Chanan (11) Rajaun

The northern part of the district occupies alluvial formation. The

climate of the district is characterized by a hot summer and a pleasant
winter season. In the district one may find patches of low jungles
interspersed with trees of large size. Alluvial and residual are the main
types of soil found in the district. Soils are good for agriculture and for
the basement of the building and other edifices. The district is served
with roads, railway, and tele-and postal means of communication and
transport.
In 2011, Banka had population of 20,29,339 of which male and female
ware 10,64,153 and 9,65,186 respectively. In 2001 census, Banka had a
population of 1,608,773 of which males were 843,193 and remaining
765,480 were females.

In 2001 census, 12.44% SC and 4.67% ST while 12.20% SC and 4.40% ST

(2011) of the total population of Banka District.

There was change of 26.48 percent in the population compared to

population as per 2001. In the previous census of India 2001, Banka
District recorded increase of 24.47 percent to its population compared
to 1991.

Description 2011 2001

Actual Population 20,29,339 1,608,773
Male 10,64,153 843,293
Female 9,65,186 765,480
2011 2001
Population Growth 26.48% 24.47%
Area Sq. Km 3,020 3,020
Density/Km2 67.2 533
Proportion to Bihar Population 1.95% 1.94%
Sex Ratio (Per 1000) 907 908
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 943 965
Average Literacy 58.17 42.73
Male Literacy 67.62 55.29
Female Literacy 47.66 28.67
Total child Population (0-6 Age) 375,282 327,903
Male Population (0-6 Age) 193,179 166,909
Female Population (0-6 Age) 182,103 160,994
Literates 965,321 547,326
Male Literacy 590,961 373,997
Female Literacy 374,360 173,329
Child Proportion (0-6 Age) 18.44% 20.38%
Boys Proportion (0-6 Age) 18.10% 19.79%
Girls Proportion (0-6 Age) NA NA

The term distribution of population in geography refers to the

placing of people in life. And the density of population is the number of
persons per unit area. Banka district has 16,08,773 persons (2001)
which are unevenly distributed among its C.D. Blocks. Density is
apparently low as compared to the average of the State of Bihar.
Southern C.D. Blocks of the district, due to rough terrain, depict lower
density of population to its northern Blocks. Towns record density of
about 19 hundred persons per Km2. The district has 12.41% of
scheduled castes population to the total population as against 15.72%
that of the state's average. Scheduled tribes population constitute
4.67% of the total population as against 0.09% for the State. Like genral
population, S.C. and S.T. persons are unevenly distributed in the C.D.
Blocks of the district.
Distribution of population, Decadal Growth Rate, Urban Population Sex-Ratio &
Density of Population
Area Total Population Decadal Density of Sex-Ratio
in growth Population (Females/
sq.km (%) (per. sq.km) Thousand
males)
Person Male Female Rural Urban
3020 2029339 1064307 965032 1957988 71351 26.14 672 907
 Percentage Decadal Variation in Population
1911-21 1921-31 1931-41 1941-51 1951-61 1961-71 1971-81 1981-91 1991-2001 2001-11
-6.70 +15.24 +14.28 +12.25 +17.19 +22.06 +23.54 +24.44 +24.47 +26.14

The phenomenon of population growth has special significance.

The understanding of population growth in an area holds the key to the
understanding of the entire demographic structure of the area. In Banka
district, excepting the decade of 1911-21, there is constant upward
growth of population. The decrease of -6.70% was mainly due to
drought and epidemics. Banka was elevated to the rank of a town since
1961. From then there is constant upward growth of population. Net
increase in 1961-2001 was + 183.78% Amarpur became a town in 1991
and increase in population from 1991-2001 was recorded + 21.42%

Population growth is caused by natural increase as well as

migration. Natural increase is the outcome of births minus deaths. The
number of offspring produced per female per unit time is the birth
(natality) rate. Crude birth rate for Banka town was 27.18 (2001) while
that of Amarpur 27.61/1000 persons. Mortality is equivalent to death
rate. It refers to deaths of individuals in population. Crude death rate
for Banka town is 8.09/1000 persons, while that of for Amarpur was
10.35/1000 persons. Natural increase in population in 2011 for Banka
was 18.44/1000 persons, while that of for Amarpur it was 17.20/1000
persons (2011).
Birth & Death Rate- Bihar & Banka District

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

B.R. D.R. B.R. D.R. B.R. D.R. B.R. D.R. B.R. D.R.
Bihar 29.9 7.7 29.4 7.5 28.9 7.3 28.5 7.0 28.1 6.8
Banka 30.0 7.8 28.9 7.6 27.8 7.4 29.6 6.9 28.7 6.6

Migration is the movement form one place to another within a

country or outside it. This phenomenon of population geography
migration is as old as the human history itself. A number of scholars
have studied migration. The term 'immigration' denotes the in-
migration from one country or area to another. The immigrants to
Banka town was 2,639 persons (2001-11) and that of Amarpur was
1,994 (2001-11). the term 'Emigration' is used for out-migration from
one country or region to another. It is difficult to deduce the quantum
of emigration figure. Causes of emigration is mainly economic reasons.
Types of migration include temporary migration, casual or marriage
migration, semi permanent migration, permanent migration Seasonal
migration etc. Other types of migration are related to place, distance
etc. Migrations are selective and differential which is based on age, sex,
marital status. The consequences of migration is both due to out or in
migration. The consequences are primarily of economic and social
concern.

Density 2011
 The initial provisional data released by census India 2011, shows
that density of Banka district for 2011 is 674 people per sq. km. In 2001,
Banka district density was at 533 people per sq.km. Banka district
administers 3,020 square kilometers of areas.

Literacy Rate

Average literacy rate of Banka in 2011 were 58.17 compared to

42.73 of 2001. If things are looked out at gender wise, male and female
literacy ware 67.62 and 47.66 respectively. For 2001 census, same
figures stood at 55.29 and 28.67 in Banka District. Total literate in Banka
District ware 965,321 of which male and female ware 590,961 and
374,360 respectively. In 2001, Banka District had 547,326 in its district.
Number of Literates & Their Percentage

Literates Percentage of Literates

Person Male Female Person Male Female
965321 590961 374360 58.17 67.62 47.66

Population & Literacy of S.C. & S.T. -2001

Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes Percentage of Literacy Rate

Total Male Femal Total Male Femal S.C S.T S.C S.T
e e
20005 10426 95798 75070 38442 36628 12.4 4.7 27.6 22.2
9 1

Sex Ratio 2011

With Regards to Sex Ratio in Banka, it stood at 907 per 1000 male
compared to 2001 census figure of 908. The average national sex ratio
in India is 940 as per latest reports of census 2011 Directorate. In 2011
census, child sex ratio is 943 girls per 1000 boys compared to figure of
965 girls per 1000 boys of 2001 census data.

Child Population 2011

In census enumeration, data regarding child under 0-6 age ware

also collected for all districts including Banka. There were total 375,282
children under age of 0-6 against 327,903 of 2001 census. Of total
375,282 male and female were 193,179 and 182,103 respectively. Child
Sex Ratio as per census 2011 was 943 compared to 965 of census 2001.
In 2011, Children under 0-6 formed 18.44 percent of Banka District
compared to 20.38 percent of 2001. There was net change of -1.94
percent in this compared to previous census of India.

The interaction between population and environment is very

complex and dynamic. The growth of population has created several
environmental problems. To protect environment, it is needed to
develop environment friendly towns. Population policy is characterized
by the three components of population change viz. fertility mortality
and migration. Problems related to dynamics of population are high
birth rates, housing problems; uneven distribution of population,
growth of population hinders urban economic development, high
dependency ratio, employment problems, population pressure on social
services, population pressure on health services, population pressure
on agricultural system and overall decrease in individual standard of
living.

CONCLUSION

Growth of population and sustainable development:- Growth of

human population at alarming rate at least in the 20th century as well
as in the present is the most significant cause of the lowering of
environmental quality and ecological balance. Infact, there are
conflicting ideas and views regarding the exact principal cause of
environmental degradation wherein the lowring of environmental
quality and ecological imbalance have been assigned to overpopulation
or to the failure of the social system or to modern technologies.

Everincreasing population put greater demands on the finite

resources of the earth. The rate of exploitation of natural resources
increase more rapidly of environmental degradation and ecological
imbalance Overpopulation also results in economic poverty because all
the resources are utilized to meet the bare necessity of the people.

The general principle of sustainable development adopted by the

World Commission of Environment and Devlopment "that present
generation should meet their needs without compromising the ability
of future generation to meet their own needs", has become widely
acceptable.
 Sustainable global development requires that people in developed
countries or the rich of the developing countries would voluntarily cut
down their consumption of resources and energy.

People's movement, civil society organization, academic think-

tanks and progressive political leaders will have to lead the way
sustainable development, both by resisting today's destructive
processes and by building on existing alternatives.

References
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 Census of India, 2011.
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Bodh Gaya.