lands. Rest of the district is mostly undulating in nature. Forests cover around 27% of the total area. About 35% of the total geographical area of the district is under cultivation. Out of 3.296 lakh hectare cultivable lands, only 22,056 hectare of land is under assured irrigation coverage. “The main economy of the village depends upon agriculture, forest produce, cattle development, and other labour activities...” About 70% farmers belong to the small and marginal category and have small plots scattered all around. Percentages of landless farmers are negligible. Backward Regions Grant Fund Gumla district is listed as a backward region and receives financial support from the Backward Regions Grant Fund. The fund, created by the Government of India, is designed to redress regional imbalances in development. As of 2012, 272 districts across the country were listed under this scheme. The list includes 21 districts of Jharkhand. Education Palkot CD block had 24 villages with pre-primary schools, 66 villages with primary schools, 35 villages with middle schools, 7 villages with secondary schools, 2 villages with senior secondary schools, 7 villages had no educational facility. .*Senior secondary schools are also known as Inter colleges in Jharkhand Healthcare Palkot CD block had 7 villages with primary health centres, 23 villages with primary health subcentres, 2 villages with maternity and child welfare centres, 2 villages with allopathic hospitals, 4 villages with dispensaries, 1 village with veterinary hospital, 3 villages with family welfare centres, 2 villages with medicine shops. .*Private medical practitioners, alternative medicine etc. not included References Community development blocks in Gumla district