Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, often abbreviated as GPM, is a district in the northern part of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It was carved out of Bilaspur district and became the 28th district of Chhattisgarh upon its formal inauguration on 10 February 2020. The district headquarters is located at Gaurela.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Chhattisgarh |
| Established | 10 February 2020 |
| Headquarters | Gaurela |
| Parent district | Bilaspur |
| Division | Bilaspur division |
| Tehsils | Gaurela, Pendra, Marwahi |
Background
The region comprising Gaurela, Pendra and Marwahi lies on the northern edge of Chhattisgarh, bordering Madhya Pradesh. Before being separated, the area formed the northernmost tehsils of Bilaspur district. The demand for a separate district had been raised over several years on grounds of administrative distance, the hilly terrain of the region, and the predominantly tribal demographic profile of Marwahi in particular.
Formation
The proposal to create the new district was approved by the Government of Chhattisgarh under Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The district was formally inaugurated on 10 February 2020, becoming the 28th district of the state. It was the first new district notified after the Baghel-led government took office in December 2018.
Geography
The district lies in the catchment of the upper Arpa River, which originates in the Maikal hills within the district near Pendra. The terrain is largely undulating and forested, forming part of the eastern Satpura–Maikal range. The district shares boundaries with Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh to the north, Korba to the east, Bilaspur to the south, and Mungeli to the west.
Administration
The district is divided into three tehsils that give it its name: Gaurela, Pendra and Marwahi. It falls within the Bilaspur revenue division. For parliamentary representation, the area is part of the Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency, while the Marwahi assembly seat is reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
Demographics and society
The district has a significant tribal population, with the Gond and Baiga communities prominent in the Marwahi area. The Baiga, recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), inhabit pockets of the forested uplands. Hindi and Chhattisgarhi are the principal languages, alongside tribal dialects.
Economy
The economy is largely agrarian, supplemented by forest produce, including tendu leaves, mahua and bamboo. Pendra Road, a station on the Bilaspur–Katni section of the South East Central Railway, serves as an important transport node for the district and is well known for the local "Pendra ghee" trade.
Significance
The creation of GPM brought administration closer to a remote and forested tribal belt that had historically been at a distance from the Bilaspur district headquarters. The Marwahi assembly seat has political significance as the constituency once represented by former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, the founding leader of the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh.
Related topics
References
- Government of Chhattisgarh, Revenue and Disaster Management Department not