PRI Study

Introduction to Aurad Taluk

Bonthi Gram Panchayat of Aurad Taluka in Bidar District of Karnataka

Geographically, Bidar is about 130 kms from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, and is 735 kms from Bangalore.

Bidar district is a dry place and is one of the worst drought-prone districts' in Karnataka. The district headquarter, Bidar, is a small town, with a majority Muslim population. Historically, Bidar was a part of the Bahamani Kingdom, which comprised of Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bidar, and Golconda. Bidar was later ruled by the Nizams of Hyderabad. After the formation of Karnataka, Bidar was brought under Karnataka State.

The main occupation of the people here is agriculture. Sugarcane, Jowar and wheat are the main crops. Bidar District has five Taluks with the headquarters in Basavkalyan, Humnabad, Bidar, Bhalki and Aurad.

Aurad Taluka

It is situated in the northern-west of Bidar district and is characterized by undulating hillocks, black cotton soil and basaltic rocks. Aurad Taluka has 38 Gram Panchayats. Out of which 18 GPs have been identified as most backward GPs. All the 18 GPs was discussed with the district officials and CEO, Bidar and based on the parameters of social, economical and infrastructural backwardness 2 GPs, Chikli and Bonthi, were selected. A field visit of these GPs was made by PSMU officials to make a rapid appraisal of the situation, which was again discussed with the CEO, Bidar and finally Bonthi Gram Panchayat (shaded area in the Aurad Taluka map) was selected for the area for pilot intervention.