Socio-Economic Development Of West Bengal : A Cartographic Analysis

Prof Himanshu R. Betal & Dr. Arunima Chaudhury

Department of Geography, University of Calcutta

Introduction : educational, health care and economic

West Bengal one of the highly populated states infrastructure in the districts of West Bengal.
of India contains about 82million people at present. • To compare the variations by suitable
It covers only 2.7 % of the area accommodating 7.8 standardization using quantitative /cartographic
% of the total population of India. The density of techniques.
population 904 per square kilometer is the highest
• To judge the relative status of districts in respect
among the states of India. Population growth during
of individual variables /indicators separately and
1991-2001 is moderate (17.84 %), however, the sex
ratio of 934 females per 1000 males, indicates the also collectively taking into all the selected
predominance of males. The urban scene is parameters of socio-economic developments.
dominated by Kolkata the capital city with other • Finally to forward a comprehensive plan for the
urban agglomerations like Siliguri in the north, sustainable development of the state in future.
Durgapur-Asansol in the west, Kharagpur-
Methodology:
Medinipur in the south central and Haldia in the
south. Only 28 % of the total population is living in To achieve the above-mentioned objectives
the urban areas indicating that the remaining 72 % following methodologies have been employed
of the total population is living in the rural areas sequentially:
with inadequate socio-economic facilities. The
1. Data related to 16 variables have been collected
present literacy rate of 69.22 % reflects that one
from various sources encompassing the major
third of the total population is illiterate. The health
care facilities have not developed properly, so also cross section of the socio-economic structure.
the economic facilities, which are far from These have been grouped into four components
satisfactory. i.e., demographic, educational, health care and
economic conditions.
Over and above, the partition of Bengal on the
eve of India’s independence and the Indo-Pakistan 2. The variables for different districts have been
war leading to the independence of Bangladesh have standardized by computing the medians.
created a serious problem of unending flow of Accordingly the score points have been
international forced migration to India in general calculated for each district.
and to West Bengal in particular. This has 3. For each component composite score has been
jeopardized the socio-economic facilities of West ascertained by adding the score points and
Bengal particularly demographic, educational, dividing by the number of variables in the
health care and economic resources. respective components. Also the collective
Considering the socio-economic disparity in composite score has been worked to indicate the
different districts of West Bengal, this analysis status of socio-economic structure as a whole.
highlights how cartography may be employed 4. By employing suitable cartographic techniques
gainfully so as to achieve sustainable and balanced
a series of maps have been drawn using ideal
development of socio-economic facilities.
and distinctive symbols.
Main objectives are:
5. The districts of West Bengal have been classified
• To study the variations of different socio- on the basis of socio-economic infrastructure
economic facilities particularly demographic, both individually and collectively.
Indian Cartographer 2006 205
6. Finally, suggestions have been forwarded for the 3. The median value divides the total distribution
sustainable socio-economic development of the into two equal halves as such A score point of
districts of West Bengal. 50 is substituted for the median value and
accordingly the score point for each district is
Variables Selected:
calculated by –
1. Density of population I Demographic i. S+ = Me x 50 / Xi
2. Growth of population ii. S- = 50 x Xi / Me
3. Urban population Where S+ and S- are score points for positive
and negative variables
4. Sex ratio
Me and Xi are the median and i th. Value of
5. Literacy II Educational any variable respectively
6. Enrollment ratio
4. On the basis of medial scores the districts of West
7. Student /teacher ratio Bengal have been classified into 5 groups
8. Life expectancy individually and also collectively to determine
9. Infant mortality rate III Health care the socio-economic status of the districts as
follows –
10. Hospital beds/105 persons
i. Very high ( > 67.5 )
11. No. of PHC/105 persons ii. High ( 60.0 – 67.5 )
12. Children immunized iii. Medium ( 52.5 - 60.0 )
13. Population with proper iv. Low ( 45.0 - 52.5 )
sanitation IV. Economic v. Very low ( < 45.0 )
14. Gross Domestic Product Results:
15. Total main workers Demographic Variables-
16. Population above poverty line On the basis of density of population the districts
Computational procedures: of West Bengal have been classified in all the five
1. The median values of the selected variables have groups. Kolkata and the surrounding districts of
been calculated using Standard statistical Haora, Hugli, North Twenty four Parganas, Nadia
method. and Murshidabad have been categorized in the very
high group. Bardhaman and Malda are grouped in
2. The variables have been classified into positive the high and medium category respectively. The
or negative according as they are directly or districts to the north, west and south have been
inversely correlated with each other. demarcated in the low and very low type.
TABLE 1: Demographic Variables
Variables S T A T U S
Very High High Medium Low Very Low
Density of Ppn Mur,Nad,Hug,Hao, Kol,N-24 Pgs Bar Mal K.Be,S-24 Pgs,U and Dar,Jal,Bir,Ban,Pur
D.Din,Med
Ppn Growth Ban,Pur,Kol K.Be,Bar,Hug, Bir Nad,S-24 Pgs Dar,Jal,U and D.Din,
Med,Hao Mal,Mur,N-24 pgs
Urban Ppn Dar,Bar,Hug,Hao, Kol,N- 24 Pgs Nad Jal S-24 Pgs K.Be,Mal,Med
Mur,Bir,Ban,Pur,
Uand D.Din,
Sex Ratio Kol Dar,Jal,K.Be,Mal U and D.
Din,Mur, N and S - 24 Pgs,
Bir,Ban,Bar,Nad, Hug,Hao,Pur

206 Indian Cartographer 2006

 Again, the districts are grouped in all the five Nadia, Jalpaiguri and South Twenty Four
types in respect of their growth rate of population, Parganas have been identified in the high, medium
which is considered a negative indicator. and low type respectively.
Accordingly, Kolkata Darjeeling and Purulia are Considering the sex ratio, the districts are in the
grouped in the very high status. Koch Bihar, low group except Kolkata, which is in the medium
Barddhaman, Hugli, Haora and Medinipur have group.
been identified in the high class whereas Birbhum
is in the medium group. All other districts have been Educational facilities-
located in the low to very low category.
Three aspects have been studied to identify the
According to the share of urban population the status of education. On the basis of literacy the
distribution of the districts are bi modal. As for districts of West Bengal have been grouped in the
example Kolkata and adjoining districts are in the medium to very low type. This suggests that the
very high group where as northern and western progress of education is far from satisfactory.
districts have very low share of urban population.

TABLE 2: Educational facilities

Variables S T A T U S
Very High High Medium Low Very Low

Literacy Dar,N-24 Pgs,Hug, Jal,K.Be,D.Din,Bir, U.Din,Mal,Mur,Pur

Med,Hao,Kol Bar,Nad,Ban,S-24 Pgs

Enrollment Rate S-24 Pgs, Dar,N-24 Pgs, K.Be,Bir,Bar,Nad, Jal,U and D.Din,
Hug,Med,Hao,Kol Ban Mal,Mur,Pur

S/T Ratio Jal,Mur,Nad,Kol Mal U.Din,Hug Dar,K.Be,D.Din,Bar,

N and S-24 Pgs,
Ban,Pur,Med,Hao Bir

TABLE 3: Health Care Facilities.

Variables S T A T U S
Very High High Medium Low Very Low

Life Expectancy Dar,Bar,Kol, Hug,Hao, Jal,U.Din,Mur, Nad,Ban,Pur, K.Be,Mal,Bir

N-24 Pgs S-24 Pgs,Med

Infant Mortality Rate Hug,Hao,Kol Dar,Bar Ban,Pur N-24 Pgs,Med Jal,K.Be,Uand D.Din,
Mal,Mur,Bir,Nad,
S-24 pgs

Hospital Beds Dar,Bar,Nad,Kol Ban,Pur D.Din,Bir,Hug, Hao Jal,K.Be,Mal,

Mur,Med,U.Din,
N and S-24 Pgs,

PublicHealth Center Bir,Ban,Pur,Kol Dar,Bar,Med K.Be,D.Din Mal,Mur,Hug Jal,U.Din,Nad,Hao

N and S-24 Pgs

Children Immunized Kol Nad,Hug Dar,Jal,Ban, Bar K.Be,U and D.Din,

N and S-24 Pgs Mur,Bir,Pur,Med,Mal

Ppn with Sanitation Dar,Jal,Bar,Nad, Mur,Bir S-24 Pgs K.Be, U and D.Din,
N and S-24 Pgs, Mal,Ban,Pur,Med
Hug,Hao,Kol

Indian Cartographer 2006 207

 Enrollment rate is also poor as a result the grouping of the districts are quite conspicuous
districts have been identical in the medium to very though Kolkata is grouped along with other
low type. backward districts in the low category.

Student Teacher ratio is very high in the districts Composite variables-

of Jalpaiguri, Murshidabad, Nadia and Kolkata. For each of the components i.e., demographic,
Majority of the other districts are are in the low type. educational, health care and economic the composite
scores have been calculated to identify the status of
Health care facilities- the districts collectively taking all the variables. Also
combining all the components the overall socio –
Life expectancy, Infant mortality rate, Hospital economic status of the districts has been determined.
beds, Primary health centers, Children immunized
and Population with proper sanitation are the six Choropleth maps have been drawn for each of
indicators selected for health care. In respect of life the components with suitable and distinct symbols
expectancy the districts are in the medium to very maintaining five equal classes.
low type indicating that special care needs be taken Fig.1 represents the situation of the districts on
to over come the situation. demographic aspects collectively. The map reflects
that Kolkata with the adjacent districts of Haora,
In infant mortality, also the districts are mainly Hugli, North Twenty Four Parganas and
in the very low type, which requires immediate Barddhaman are very highly developed. While
attention. Nadia in the east and Darjeeling in the north are
highly and moderately developed. Other districts
Hospital beds, Primary health centers, Children
are grouped in low to very low category.
immunized and people with proper sanitation,
demarcate the districts mainly in very high to very Fig. 2 depicts the types of districts on the basis
low type. of educational developments collectively. The map
clearly shows that except Kolkata which is very
Economic variables-
highly served by educational facilities other districts
On the basis of economic variables the districts of West Bengal are Moderately to very poorly
of West Bengal have been grouped in different catered by the educational facilities. However the
categories. Gross Domestic Product indicates that districts adjacent to Kolkata i.e., Hugli, Haora,
Kolkata and Darjeeling are grouped in the very high Medinipur, North & South Twenty Four Parganas
and high category respectively. All other districts including Darjeeling are moderately served by
are grouped in the medium to very low class. Total educational facilities. Other western and northern
workers are invariably of low to very low category. districts are poorly served by educational
On the basis of people above poverty line the institutions, while Uttar Dinajpur and Birbhum are

TABLE 4: Economic Variables

Variables S T A T U S
Very High High Medium Low Very Low

GDP Kol Dar Jal,Bar,Nad,Hug Med,Hao,N-24 Pgs U.Din,Mur,Bir,Pur,

K.Be,D.Din,Mal,Ban, S-24 Pgs

Total Workers Ban,Dar Mal,D.Din Dar,Jal,K.Be,U.Din, Bar,Nad,Hug,Hao,

Mur,Bir,Med Kol,Nand S-24 Pgs

Ppn ↑ Poverty Line Nad,Hao, Dar,Bar,Hug,Med K.Be,U and D.Din, Jal,Mal,Mur,Bir,

N-24 Pgs S-24 Pgs,Kol Ban,Pur

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 TABLE 5: Composite Scores.
Variables S T A T U S
Very High High Medium Low Very Low

Demographic Bar,Hug,Hao, Nad Dar Jal,K.Be,Mur, S-24 Pgs,Med U and D.Din, Mal, Bir,
Kol,N-24 Pgs Ban,Pur

Educational Kol Jal,Nad,Hug,Med, Dar,K.Be,D.Din, U.Din,Bir

Hao,N and S-24 Pgs Mal,Mur,Bar,Ban, Pur

Health Care Dar,Hug,Kol Bar,Nad, Pur Jal,D.Din,Bir,Med K.Be,Mal, Mur,U.Din,

Ban,Hao N-24 Pgs S-24 Pgs,

Economic Kol Dar,Mal,Hao Jal,K.Be,Mal,Bar Mur,Bir,

Uand D.Din,Nad, S-24 Pgs
N-24Pgs,Hug, Ban,Pur

Socio-Economic Kol Hug,Hao Dar, Bar,Nad, Jal,K.Be,D.Din, U.Din,Mal

N – 24 Pgs Mur,Bir,Med, Pur
S-24 Pgs,Ban

the two districts where the educational facilities are poorly developed. Malda and Uttar Dinajpur are two
very poor. districts distinguished for their very poor socio-
Fig. 3 illustrates the status of health care economic development
development in the districts of West Bengal. The Suggestions:
health care delivery systems are very highly This section seeks to provide a general
developed in Kolkata, Hugli and Darjeeling. Other assessment of the present situation and a broad
adjacent districts i.e., Haora, Bankura, Barddhaman
direction for future policy to promote sustainable
and Nadia are adequately catered by medical
socio-economic development of West Bengal. The
facilities. The districts to the north and south are
above study has presented a mixed picture of the
inadequately served by health care delivery system.
current state of socio- economic development.
The status of the districts based on economic The important achievements include substantial
development is reflected in Fig. 4. Except Kolkata,
progress in land reforms as well as sustained efforts
which is highly developed economically, Darjeeling
at increasing people’s participation in Government
in the north, Haora in the middle and Medinipur in
through decentralization and emphasizing the role
the west are moderately developed economically.
of panchayats. These have provided important forces
Other districts in the north, central and west are
making for increased productive capabilities in
economically poor for their lack of resources and
low accessibility. Birbhum and Murshidabad in the agriculture and small scale industries, greater
middle and South Twenty Four Parganas in the south empowerment of the poor, more equity in basic
are economically very backward for their consumption pattern and greater voice for common
inaccessibility and poor infrastructure. people, including workers in urban and rural areas,
women and backward classes.
Fig. 5 shows the status of overall socio-economic
developments in West Bengal. Kolkata is very highly On the other hand the progress in terms of some
developed where as the adjacent and well connected, important indicators of socio-economic
urbanized and more industrialized districts of Haora development has been less than could be expected.
and Hugli are highly developed socio-economically. The lack of productive employment opportunities
Darjeeling in the north, Barddhaman in the west and is probably the most pressing socio-economic
Nadia and North Twenty Four Parganas in the east problem in the state. The spread of literacy and
are moderately developed. Majority of the other education has been slow, and the failure to achieve
districts in the north, central, south and west are universal primary education is highly disappointing.

Indian Cartographer 2006 209

Similarly health care facilities have not been 4. More than 50 % of the villages of West Bengal
developed to the desired extent. Gender inequality lacked accessibility by roadways,
and lacunae in public delivery system are creating communicational links and electric power
serious problems. The regional imbalances within supply. These facilities are to be extended
and between the districts of the state continue to be immediately so that basic services and utilities
highly pronounced. may develop accordingly.
Finally to achieve a sustainable socio-economic 5. Health care delivery system needs overall
development of the state following measures may improvement at all levels. The gap areas are to
be undertaken- be provided with medical facilities.
1. Greater local level resource mobilization by 6. In education the illiteracy pockets require
panchayats should be allowed and encouraged. immediate attention.
2. Urban and rural income disparities need to be 7. There is a distinct inadequacy of pure drinking
addressed by more balanced urbanization. water supply in some districts such as North and
3. In respect of poverty alleviation, the most South Twenty Four Parganas, Nadia, Medinipur
affected group is the rural labourers whose needs and Koch Behar which require immediate
require to be considered. attention.

***

210 Indian Cartographer 2006