Kapsi

File:Location of Kapsi in Kanker.png

Kapsi is located roughly {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of the tehsil headquarters Pakhanjur and {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of the district headquarters Kanker. It is bordered by the Durgukondal tehsil to its northeast. Due to its location at the northernmost boundary of the erstwhile Paralkot jagir, it is also known as the Gateway of Paralkot.{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Shantanu Nandan |date=19 January 2020 |title=Meet the Bengali refugees who now dominate businesses, farms in Chhattisgarh's tribal belt |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/meet-the-bengali-refugees-who-now-dominate-businesses-farms-in-chhattisgarhs-tribal-belt/articleshow/73362371.cms?from=mdr |access-date=29 July 2023 |issn=0013-0389}} Its proximity to the trijunction of Kanker and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki districts of Chhattisgarh and the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, makes it an important transit hub of the area.

File: Devda Ravine Kapsi.jpg

Geographically, it lies in the northern lowlands of the Bastar plateau and is a part of the historical Dandakaranya region.{{cite news | url=http://cgclimatechange.com/about-chhattisgar/ | title=About Chhattisgarh |website=Cgclimatechange.com}}{{Cite web |title=BASTAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN-SN1027 |url=http://14.139.60.153/bitstream/123456789/3847/1/BASTAR%20DEVELOPMENT%20PLAN-SN1027.pdf |access-date=30 July 2023 |website=National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration}} The elevation of the village ranges from {{convert|310|m|ft|abbr=on}} to {{convert|330|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. The Devda ravine, a tributary of Kotri river, meanders through the heart of the village and serves as its lifeline.{{cite web | url=https://www.naidunia.com/chhattisgarh/kanker-water-hyacinth-spread-in-devda-river-near-chhotekapasi-bridge-water-getting-contaminated-7591717 | title=छोटेकापसी पुल के पास देवदा नदी में फैली जलकुंभी पानी हो रहा दूषित |website=Naidunia.com| date=13 June 2022 }}{{cite web|url= https://tcp.cg.gov.in/vikasyojna/KANKER/Structure_Plan/BADE-KAPSI%20SP%20MAP%20for%20WEB%20UPLOADING/PANEL_4000/SEAMLESS%20STRUCTURE%20PLAN%20for%20WEB.pdf|title=Map of Bade Kapsi : 6 Structure Plan|website=Tcp.cg.gov.in|access-date=30 July 2023}} The region primarily features fertile lateritic soil, which is well-suited to agriculture due to its fine texture and darker hues. With its dense green cover, undulating terrain, hillocks, and stream courses, the region harbours habitats for diverse flora and fauna.

According to 2011 Census of India, Kapsi had a total population of 4,179.

Bade Kapsi had a population of 1129 with 14.70% of the population under six years of age. The sex ratio was 1034 females per 1,000 males. Male literacy was 64.63% and female literacy was 51.64%. The effective literacy rate was 58.05%, which was lower than the Chhattisgarh state average of 70.28%.

Chhote Kapsi had a population of 3050 with 11.54% of the population under six years of age. The sex ratio was 992 females per 1,000 males. Male literacy was 88.54% and female literacy was 79.27%. The effective literacy rate was 83.91%, which was higher than the Chhattisgarh state average of 70.28%.

From the administrative perspective, Kapsi is divided into two independent gram panchayats (village councils) namely:

1. Bade Kapsi: It lies to the east of the Devda ravine and covers an area of {{convert|7.55|km2}}. It is often referred to as Purana Kapsi in maps published by the Geological Survey of India.{{Cite web |title=कांकेर जिले का नक्शा |url=https://tcp.cg.gov.in/vikasyojna/KANKER.htm |access-date=6 August 2023 |website=tcp.cg.gov.in}}
2. Chhote Kapsi: It lies to the west of the Devda ravine and covers an area of {{convert|4.36|km2}}. It is often referred to as Naya Kapsi in maps published by the GSI.{{Cite web |title=Maharashtra East - Naya Kapsi R4 |url=https://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/files/MAHARASHTRA%20EAST.pdf |access-date=30 July 2023 |website=Survey of India, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India}}

Both the gram panchayats fall under the administrative jurisdiction of the Koyalibeda Janapad Panchayat.

Chhote Kapsi was the first village in the Kanker parliamentary constituency to be identified for development under the ambitious Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana of the Government of India.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/government-of-india/saansad-adarsh-gram-yojana.html|title=Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, Villages adopted by MP under SAGY|website=Mapsofindia.com|access-date=30 June 2022}} The inaugural ceremony was flagged off at a public event on 27 March 2015, by then Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Vikram Usendi, in presence of government officials and public representatives from the district.{{Cite web|url=http://epaper.patrika.com/467302/Patrika-Kanker/28-03-2015#page/4/2|title=Hindi ePaper, EPaper Download, Online Epaper, Newspaper in Hindi, Today Newspaper|website=Epaper.patrika.com|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032222/http://epaper.patrika.com/467302/Patrika-Kanker/28-03-2015#page/4/2|url-status=dead}} The primary objective of the scheme is to develop model villages to provide better standards of living and quality of life for inclusive growth of the rural population through improved basic amenities, better livelihood opportunities, enriched social capital, etc.{{cite web |title=1 Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) Guidelines |url=https://saanjhi.gov.in/pdf/Guidelines_English.pdf |website=Government of India |access-date=3 November 2024}}

However, after the initial fanfare the scheme failed to achieve its declared objectives in the development of the village due to apathy, poor planning and lack of funds.{{cite web | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/opinion-epic-fanfare-and-poor-planning-why-pm-modis-model-villages-scheme-isnt-working/355659 | title=Epic Fanfare and Poor Planning: Why PM Modi's Model Villages Scheme Isn't Working | date=29 June 2020 }}

File: Bade Kapsi SH 25.jpg

Under the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission, also known as the National Rurban Mission (NRuM), Bade Kapsi has been identified as a tribal cluster and one of the 300 Rurban clusters across the country aimed at making the rural areas socially, economically and physically sustainable regions.{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://bihan.gov.in/ppt/PAKHANJUR_Badekapsi.pptx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923072326/http://bihan.gov.in/ppt/PAKHANJUR_Badekapsi.pptx |archive-date=23 September 2017 |access-date=24 March 2022}}https://rurban.gov.in/{{cite web |title=Shyama Prasad Mukherji rurban Mission |url=https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/shyama-prasad-mukherji-rurban-mission |website=Ministry of Rural Development (India) |access-date=3 November 2024}} The integrated cluster action plan (ICAP) for the cluster was approved by the Govt. of India in 2018 under the phase II of NRuM.{{cite web |title=SPMRM | Ministry of Rural Development | GOI |url=https://rurban.gov.in/index.php/Public_reports/view_cluster/391459586873407622011640638419527#gsc.tab=0 |website=Ministry of Rural Development (India) |access-date=3 November 2024}}

The Bade Kapsi Rurban Cluster comprises five gram panchayats, which together consist of several geographically contiguous villages.

File:Bade Kapsi Planning Area En.png

In order to regulate the development of land and its use in the cluster and to achieve a planned and holistic development, the Directorate of Town and Country Planning of the Government of Chhattisgarh has established the Bade Kapsi Planning Area on 1 March 2017.{{cite web |title=छत्तीसगढ़ राजपत्र |url=https://tcp.cg.gov.in/vikasyojna/KANKER/par/Kapasi/Kapasi.pdf |website=Government of Chhattisgarh |date=28 September 2018 |access-date=3 November 2024}}

The planning area boundary comprises six gram panchayats — all five gram panchayats of the Bade Kapsi Rurban cluster with the addition of Premnagar gram panchayat to the northeast. The land use map, covering an area of {{Convert|40.4|km2|sqmi}}, was published and notified in the State Gazette on 28 September 2018.{{cite web |title=छत्तीसगढ़ राजपत्र |url=https://tcp.cg.gov.in/vikasyojna/KANKER/elu/Bade%20Kapsi/Bade%20kapsi-ELU.pdf |website=Government of Chhattisgarh |date=23 June 2017 |access-date=3 November 2024}}

Kapsi falls under the jurisdiction of Pakhanjur police station, which is {{convert|11|km|mi|abbr=on}} away. The other nearest police station is at Badgaon, {{convert|13|km|mi|abbr=on}} away.

On 26 December 2024, the state police headquarters has issued a proposal for establishing a new police station at Kapsi in the financial year 2025-26.{{cite news |title=कापसी में नया पुलिस थाना प्रस्तावित, जिला में 21 थाने |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/chhattisgarh/kanker/news/new-police-station-proposed-in-kapsi-21-police-stations-in-the-district-134195006.html |work=Dainik Bhaskar |lang=hi |date=28 December 2024 |access-date=28 December 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Pprakash |first1=Satya |date=27 December 2024 |title=CG New Police Stations in 2025: कोरबा के चोटिया में खुलेगा नया थाना.. 2025 में छत्तीसगढ़ के इन जगहों पर पुलिस की नई तैनाती, देखें पूरी लिस्ट.. |url=https://www.ibc24.in/chhattisgarh/raipur/chhattisgarh-new-police-stations-in-2025-new-police-station-will-open-in-chotiya-of-korba-and-raja-talab-of-raipur-2867609.html |work=IBC24 News |language=hi |access-date=28 December 2024}}

The Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) operates a feeder substation and distribution centre at Bade Kapsi, which supplies power to the locality and collects payments for electricity bills.{{cite web | url=https://newsplus21.com/2022/08/10/reckless-and-careless-power-station-big-kapsi/ | title=लापरवाह और बेपरवाह पावर स्टेशन बड़े कापसी | date=10 August 2022 | access-date=20 August 2022 | archive-date=17 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717063459/https://newsplus21.com/2022/08/10/reckless-and-careless-power-station-big-kapsi/ | url-status=dead }}

State owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) provides wired landline, 2G/3G cellular telephony and fibre broadband internet services in Kapsi. Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (Jio) has started providing 4G LTE cellular services since November 2021 and 5G services since July 2023. However, the quality of voice and internet services remain dismal from both the telecom service providers due to undercapacity and lack of investment in upgrading their infrastructure.

A non-functional cellular tower erected by the now defunct Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM) of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group also exists. Both the BSNL and RCOM facilities were vandalised and set on fire by Maoist rebels in an attack in December 2008. The BSNL services were reinstated within a few weeks after the incident whereas the RCOM service remained suspended and was subsequently withdrawn.{{cite news |title=Maoists attack BSNL, R-Com facilities |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/maoists-attack-bsnl-r-com-facilities/story-s3chuY7pnG9JPyviHDBfzK.html |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=IANS |date=15 December 2008 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=All quiet during Maoist bandh in Kanker |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/all-quiet-during-maoist-bandh-in-kanker/articleshow/3842172.cms |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=15 December 2008}}

Due insufficient healthcare facilities, the residents primarily rely on home-made remedies and quackery as the first response to medical needs. The government run Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the village is heavily understaffed and underequipped to provide any meaningful treatment even to the outpatients. A couple of privately run health facilities provide primary healthcare. Higher healthcare needs are referred to cities such as Dalli Rajhara, Dhamtari, Bhilai and Raipur.

The economy of Kapsi is chiefly agrarian. Large scale cultivation of paddy and maize are undertaken throughout Rabi and Kharif crop seasons. Fish farming and dairy farming are other major primary sector activities practised by the populace. Under the aegis of Department of Fisheries, Govt. Of Chhattisgarh, the Bade Kapsi Rurban Cluster has become an important centre for pisciculture in the state, even exporting to the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Odisha. Sericulture and horticulture are also gradually gaining ground, albeit practised by a few.

Forests play an important role in the lives of the people, providing food and livelihood by way of minor forest produce and employment as casual labour in the Forest department. They provide for consumer needs such fuel, firewood, medicines, food, beverages, and housing materials, among others.{{cite news |title=कापसी क्षेत्र के 5700 लोगों के लिए लॉकडाउन बना वरदान, वनोपज बेचकर कमाए 34.64 लाख रुपए |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/chhattisgarh/raipur/kanker/news/boon-became-lockdown-for-5700-people-of-kapsi-area-earning-rs3464-lakh-by-selling-forest-produce-127318367.html |access-date=15 August 2023 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |date=2020 |lang=hi}}

Kapsi hosts a regular market that provides goods and services to the surrounding locality.

File:Kherkatta dam.jpg

Kherkatta Dam, officially known as Paralkot Reservoir (Devanagari: {{lang|hi|परलकोट जलाशय}}) is a popular local tourist spot and the largest dam in the district. It is built across the Kotri River near the village of Kherkatta, 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Kapsi. The construction of this medium irrigation project began in 1966 and was completed in 1981 by the Dandakaranya Development Authority, over a period of 15 years.{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/150860/Dandakaranya-Development-Authority|title=Significance in Dandakaranya |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=25 February 2015}}

During the monsoon rains, it sees a large influx of visitors from all over the district as well as from the neighbouring districts, especially when water spills-over from the {{convert|12|m|abbr=on}} high spillway.{{cite web | url=https://www.naidunia.com/chhattisgarh/kanker-reservoir-filled-with-water-crowd-gathered-to-see-7733720 | title=लबालब भरा जलाशय देखने उमड़ रही भीड़ | date=12 August 2022 }} Despite repeated demands by the public for its beautification and development of recreational activities such as boating to attract more tourists round the year, it remains devoid of even the basic amenities.{{Cite news |title=फॉरेनर्स ने छत्तीसगढ़ की इस खास जगह का नाम दिया है "परलकोट हेवन", यह है खासियत |trans-title= Tourists Places in Chhattisgarh: Foreigners named this Paralkot Haven |url=https://www.patrika.com/kanker-news/tourists-places-in-chhattisgarh-foreigners-named-this-paralkot-haven-4840956/ |access-date=15 August 2023 |work=Patrika News |date=15 July 2019 |language=hi}}

Kapsi is on Chhattisgarh State Highway 25 and is served only by road transport.{{Cite web |date=22 May 2009 |title=छत्तीसगढ़ राजपत्र, दिनांक 22 मई 2009 |url=https://upload.indiacode.nic.in/showfile?actid=AC_CG_61_1188_00001_00001_1559298087400&type=notification&filename=rajmargh_ghosit_02-05-2009_(1).pdf |access-date=21 July 2023 |website=indiacode.nic.in |language=hi}}

File: Chhattisgarh SH 25 Near Kapsi.jpg

File:Final location survey of Gadchiroli-Bhanupratappur rail line at Kapsi.jpg

Kapsi is not connected to the network of Indian Railways. The nearest local railway station is Keoti (KETI), {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} from Kapsi, on the Dalli Rajhara–Jagdalpur line.

There have been proposals to build the proposed Gadchiroli-Bhanupratappur rail line via Durgukondal, Kapsi and Pakhanjur instead of via Manpur. {{Cite news |date=10 August 2022 |title=Extension of railway line to connect Kanker with Maharashtra |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/extension-of-rly-line-to-connect-kanker-with-maha/articleshow/93466771.cms |access-date=20 July 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}{{cite news |title=रेलवे लाइन बनने पर सीधे महाराष्ट्र से जुड़ जाएगा कांकेर:नक्सल प्रभावित भानुप्रतापपुर गढ़चिरौली रेल लाइन सर्वे के लिए 3.37 करोड़ रुपए मंजूर |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/chhattisgarh/kanker/news/rs-337-crore-approved-for-naxal-affected-bhanupratappur-gadchiroli-rail-line-survey-130166190.html |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |lang=hi}}{{cite news |title=केंद्रीय बजट में प्रोजेक्ट:भानुप्रतापपुर-गढ़चिरौली तक 133 किमी रेल लाइन बिछेगी |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/amp/local/chhattisgarh/balod/news/133-km-rail-line-will-be-laid-till-bhanupratappur-gadchiroli-130876415.html |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |lang=hi}}

In May 2022, the Ministry of Railways (India) provided an in-principle approval for the survey of this line. Subsequently it allocated {{INRConvert|3.37|c}} for the survey.{{Cite news |date=10 August 2022 |title=Extension of railway line to connect Kanker with Maharashtra |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/extension-of-rly-line-to-connect-kanker-with-maha/articleshow/93466771.cms |access-date=20 July 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |title=SECR exploring new route to Southern India via Gadchiroli, orders final location survey |url=https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2022/9/4/SECR-exploring-new-route-to-Southern-India-via-Gadchiroli-orders-final-location-survey.html |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=www.thehitavada.com |language=en}} The South Eastern Central Railway zone fast-tracked the regulatory process and in August of the same year floated tenders for the final location survey and preparation of the Detailed Project Report.{{Cite news |date=26 August 2022 |title=New rly line cutting jumbo route in offing |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nagpur/new-rly-line-cutting-jumbo-route-in-offing/articleshow/93788978.cms |access-date=20 July 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}{{cite web |title=Integrated Budgetary Financial Figures For South East Central Railway |url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Budget_2023-24/INTEGRATED_BOOK_2023-24/SECR_integraged_2023-24.pdf |website=Indian Railways |access-date=20 July 2023}}

File:Kapsi Forest Range Signboard.jpg

Though instances of human-wildlife conflict in the region have been rare, a rapidly increasing human population contributing to high biodiversity interactions between people and wild animals are becoming more and more prevalent.

In July 2023, an adolescent wild elephant strayed from its group while traversing the forests and entered the residential areas of Kapsi, leading to chaos and panic for two days. Besides causing damage to several houses and crops in the neighbourhood, it trampled a man to death in the Silk Farm premises of Bade Kapsi despite efforts by the forest department officials to prevent conflict.{{Cite web |date=8 July 2023 |title=बड़े कापसी में जंगली हाथी के हमले से एक युवक की हुई मौत |url=https://livevns.news/state/chhattisgarh/youth-killed-by-wild-elephant-attackphp/cid11535433.htm |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=livevns.news |language=hi}}{{Cite web |title=जंगली हाथी देखने का शौक युवक को पड़ा भारी, हाथी ने पटक-पटक मार डाला |url=https://ndtv.in/mp-chhattisgarh-news/elephant-attack-in-chhattisgarh-wild-elephant-kills-man-a-forest-official-confirmed-4189060 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=NDTVIndia}}

In June 2023, three persons belonging to Maharashtra were arrested from Matoli village by the Kapsi forest department officials for trying to smuggle a live Pangolin, whose market value was estimated at {{INRConvert|15|l}}.{{Cite web |title=Watch Breaking News Three smugglers from Maharashtra arrested for smuggling live pangolins, the price being told 15 lakhs {{!}} ZEE5 Latest News |url=https://www.zee5.com/news/details/three-smugglers-from-maharashtra-arrested-for-smuggling-live-pangolins-the-price-being-told-15-lakhs/0-0-newsauto_1tsv0m3or5g8 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=ZEE5 |language=en-IN}}{{Cite web |title=Kanker: जिंदा पेंगोलिन की तस्करी करते महाराष्ट्र के तीन तस्कर गिरफ्तार, 15 लाख बताई जा रही कीमत |url=https://www.amarujala.com/chhattisgarh/kanker/three-smugglers-from-maharashtra-arrested-for-smuggling-live-pangolin-2023-06-29 |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Amar Ujala |language=hi}}

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