A study of Social and environmental Implication of Human Development in Undivided Medinipur District West Bengal

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to understand the level of development in terms of the availability and accessibility of socio-economic facilities and services among fifty-four blocks under the Undivided Medinipur district, West Bengal. The study identified the factors affecting the level of development in various parts of the study area. The study also assessed the implications of those development aspects on the society and environment within the study area. The entire study has been divided into five chapters. newlineThe study utilized primary and secondary data for assessing its objectives. Secondary data is mainly compiled from the district census handbook and district statistical handbook. The study conducted a household sample survey in considering the three recently divided districts for assessing the present scenario of development and its impacts on the society and environment. A structured multi-stage sampling design was employed to conduct 625 household surveys with the ratio of 250:250:125 for Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, and Jhargram districts, respectively. The satellite imageries in four consecutive census years i.e. 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 have been analyzed to assess the changes of land use pattern and availability of vegetative covers among fifty-four blocks under the study area. newlineThe study found remarkable inter-block spatio-temporal disparities concerning various dimensions of development, and the blocks have been classified into five development classes according to their development level. The study also recommended policies for the betterment of deprived and underdeveloped regions. The study shows the relative backwardness of Jhargram district in comparison to other districts. Different pockets in the Paschim and Purba Medinipur districts have also low levels of development, due to the inadequacy of required socio-economic facilities.