Koraput district is an administrative district located in the southern part of Odisha, India. Known for its hilly terrain on the Eastern Ghats, sizeable tribal population, and rich mineral resources, the district has historically been a centre of tribal culture in the region. Its headquarters is the town of Koraput.
| Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| State | Odisha |
| Region | Southern Odisha |
| Headquarters | Koraput |
| Country | India |
| Type | District |
The district lies on the Eastern Ghats plateau, with elevations that give it a relatively cooler climate compared to the coastal plains of Odisha. The terrain is largely hilly and forested, drained by rivers including the Kolab (a tributary of the Godavari system) and the Indravati. The Kolab reservoir, formed by the dam on the Kolab river, is among the notable water bodies of the district.
Koraput is one of the districts of Odisha and is administered by a Collector and District Magistrate. The district is part of the larger Koraput–Bolangir–Kalahandi (KBK) region, which has been the focus of special development programmes by the central and state governments.
The undivided Koraput district was historically much larger. In 1992–93, it was reorganised into four separate districts: Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, and Malkangiri. This reorganisation was carried out as part of a broader administrative restructuring in Odisha to improve governance in tribal-majority areas.
Koraput has a substantial Scheduled Tribe population, including communities such as the Paroja, Gadaba, Bhumia, Bonda (in nearby areas), Kondh, and others. The district is known for its tribal handicrafts, weekly markets (haats), folk music, and dance traditions. Desia, a regional dialect, is widely spoken alongside Odia.
The economy of Koraput rests on agriculture, forest produce, mining, and industry. The district is rich in bauxite and other minerals. Koraput hosts the National Aluminium Company (NALCO) alumina refinery at Damanjodi, supplied by bauxite from the Panchpatmali mines. Sunabeda, near Koraput town, is the location of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) engine division, which manufactures aero engines, contributing significantly to local employment.
Koraput is internationally recognised for its agro-biodiversity, particularly the diversity of indigenous rice varieties traditionally cultivated by tribal farmers. The traditional agricultural system of the Koraput region has been recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Educational institutions in the district include the Central University of Orissa, established at Koraput, as well as colleges affiliated with state universities. Research institutions linked to agriculture and tribal development also operate in the district.
Koraput is connected by the Koraput–Rayagada and Koraput–Kirandul railway lines, which traverse scenic terrain through the Eastern Ghats. National Highways link the district headquarters with other parts of Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The nearest major airport facilities are at Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar.
Koraput's significance lies in its combination of tribal heritage, biodiversity, mineral wealth, and strategic industrial installations. It is among the districts that shape Odisha's tribal policy framework and forms a key part of the KBK development region.