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PLACES
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GADHCHIROLI.
Gadhciroli, the headquarters of the tahsil of the same name, though raised to the position of a tahsil town only in 1905, had long been the largest trading mart in the ex-Amganv pargana. It lies one or two miles (1.60 to 3.21 km.) from the left bank of the Wainganga river which at this point for the first time in its course in this district begins to be difficult of navigation. Formerly the village had no good roads, but since its constitution as a tahsil headquarters, it has been linked up by good roads with Mul, 37 km. (23 miles) to the west, which further on runs to Candrapur with Brahmapuri to the north via Armori and many other places in the district. The Mul road continues eastwards and terminates at Murumganv passing via Dhanora in its run. The Gadhciroli-Armori road after touching quite a few villages in the district effects a junction with the road coming from Gondia about the district border. The village is of the usual type with congested dwellings excepting the buildings erected for housing revenue and pancayat offices. Buildings of antiquarian remains there are none. There was only an old fort not even whose remains are seen to-day. In 1961 its population was 6,180 and consisted mainly of Koskatis, Gandlis, Khapevars, Dhimars and Mahars. Agriculture is the principal resource of these inhabitants and rice their principal crop. Sugarcane is also grown to some extent. A certain amount of tasar silk-worm rearing used to be carried on once and silk spun out of it, but want of encouragement has completely retarded the trade. The establishment of an agriculture produce market committee has saved the agriculturists of the malpractices of the traders whereby the agriculturists were denied a fair price. About two miles (3.21 km.) from Gadhciroli is the Sonapur Agriculture Research Centre covering an area of 32.37 hectares (80 acres) and growing seeds of paddy, wheat, jovar, til and
horsegram. An artificial tank has also been dug for making water provision. A part of the village lands has been brought under irrigation by means of a moderately good tank and irrigation wells. For drinking purposes the people depend upon some 52 wells and a tank. Despite this acute water scarcity is felt during summer and this was one of the main objections raised against making Gadhciroli a tahsil headquarters. Educational institutions include besides primary and middle schools, a multipurpose high school. A civil hospital with a maternity ward and an attached family planning unit meets the medical needs of the people. There is also a veterinary dispensary. Being the headquarters of a tahsil Gadhciroll, besides mamlatdars' office, has the office of the pancayat samiti, civil and criminal courts, a police station, a post and telegraph office and a rest house. A largely attended weekly bazar is held on Sundays. A small segment of the population is engaged in bamboo matting.
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