Socio-economic Vulnerability Assessment of a Coastal District in West Bengal.

Abstract

This current study aimed to assess the socio-economic vulnerability of coastal villages of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal (W.B.), India so as to provide area-specific mitigation plan. Socio-Economic Vulnerability Index (SEVI) framework developed by ICAR-NAARM and ICAR-CIFE (2019) with 23 indicators along with secondary data available in the Census of India (2011) has been adopted to assess the vulnerability of 189 coastal villages, including 29 non-fishing villages. Socio-economic vulnerability of South 24 Parganas district as a whole was found low (0.26). The district had low socio-economic sensitivity with a median value 0.37 ranging from 0.20-0.52. Adaptive capacity was moderate with a median value of 0.43 ranging from 0.22-0.62. It was found that adaptive capacity of 54% of villages was low whereas for 45%, it was moderate. Village Haldighi had the highest sensitivity due to the high net sown area (94%), less natural resources (1%) as well as long distance from hospital and nearest town. Socio-economic vulnerability of South 24 Parganas district was found to be low due to reasons like few infrastructure facilities like availability of concrete roads, schools, hospitals, less institutional support/markets/ alternative job opportunities and low literacy rate. Accordingly, it is suggested that development focus should be on providing infrastructure facilities especially in transport and communication systems especially in the remote villages. Village-wise spatial map of several vulnerability indices will give a clearer view of adaptation and mitigation strategies.