Assessing socio-economic vulnerability for development: evidence from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.

Abstract

Vulnerability assessment is vital for developing appropriate adaptation measures to improve community resilience. This research aims to assess the socio-economic vulnerability of the Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra state using a novel Socio-Economic Vulnerability Index (SEVI). Ahmednagar is one of the most populous and progressive districts with a high Human Development Index (HDI) value (0.72). This study covered all the 14 tehsils of the Ahmednagar district and used secondary data sources for assessing sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Ahmednagar district had low social sensitivity (0.28) with moderate social adaptive capacity (0.48) whereas high economic sensitivity (0.63) with low economic adaptive capacity (0.38). Overall, the SEVI score of Ahmednagar district was low (0.30). However, tehsil level analysis showed high vulnerability scores for 5 tehsils namely Nevasa, Shrirampur, Shevgaon, Rahuri and Jamkhed, which need special attention on social sensitivity aspects. The one-way ANOVA test also revealed statistically significant differences among tehsils in terms of each of the SEVI indicators, suggesting location-specific interventions to reduce sensitivity and increase adaptive capacity. The study identified key drivers that pushed sensitivity up (higher proportion of small and marginal farmers; longer distance to town and hospital) and lowered adaptive capacity (poor housing condition and amenities; poor transport and communication; less livestock population) in identified highly vulnerable tehsils for concerted efforts.