Barpeta district with its H.Q. at Barpeta was created and started functioning from 1st July’1983. The district is spread across 3245 sq.kms. within 26°45’ to 26°49’ North latitude and 90°45’ to 90°15’ East latitude. It is surrounded by Bhutan Hills in the north, Nalbari and Baksa districts in the east, Goalpara and Kamrup districts in the south and Bongaigaon and Chirang districts in the west. Total population of the district is 16,42,420 (2001 census) with a population density of 506 per sq.km. and sex ratio of 1000:941. The major rivers flowing through the district, which also causes annual floods and riverbank erosion etc., particularly in the char areas, leading to a considerable loss of life and property are Brahmaputra, Beki, Manas, Pahumara, Kaldia, Palla, Bhelengi and Chaulkhowa.