Bharno block is a CD block that forms an administrative division in the Gumla subdivision of Gumla district, in the Indian state of Jharkhand. History Gumla became a subdivision of Ranchi district in 1902 and it became a separate district in 1983. Simdega district was carved out of Gumla district in 2011. Subsequently, Gumla district was divided into three subdivisions – Gumla Sadar subdivision (with Gumla, Ghaghra, Bharno, Bishunpur, Raidih and Sisia blocks), Basia subdivision (with Palkot, Basia and Kamdara blocks), and Chainpur subdivision (with Chainpur, Albert Ekka (Jari) and Dumri blocks). Maoist activities The Maoist insurgency started spreading around the mid-1990s and poses a big challenge to peace and development of the district. It “is involved in abduction, extortion, extortion killings.” The banned organisation is active largely in the eastern part of the district mainly in Kamadara, Basia, Palkot, Gumla, Raidih, Sisai and Bharno police stations. In order to counter the activities of the insurgents, arms, ammunition and security equipment have been provided in every police station. It includes bullet-proof and landmine-proof vehicles. Geography In the southern portion of Gumla district, there are flat topped hills called pat, with an elevation ranging from 2,500 feet to 3,000 feet. The pat region is spread across Bishunpur, Chainpur and Ghaghra CD blocks. The highest areas are Netarhat pat (3,356 ft), Lamiti pat (3,777 ft) and Galgat pat (3,823 ft). The rest of the district occupies a part of the Ranchi Plateau with an average elevation of 2,300 feet. Three major rivers flowing through Gumla district are North Koel River, South Koel River and Sankh River. Bharno CD block is bounded by Bhandra CD block in Lohardaga district on the north, Bero and Lapung CD blocks in Ranchi district on the east, Kamdara and Basia blocks on the south, and Sisai CD block on the west. Bharno CD block has an area of 299.87 km2.Bharno police station serves Bherno CD block. The headquarters of Bherno CD block is located at Bharno village. Demographics Population According to the 2011 Census of India, Bharno CD block had a total population of 84,572, all of which were rural. There were 42,355 (50%) males and 42,217 (50%) females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 14,845. Scheduled Castes numbered 1,297 (1.53%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 62,451 (73.83%). Literacy According to the 2011 census, the total number of literate persons in Bharno CD block was 40,612