General Characteristics of Districts and Blocks

The districts of Pune and Raigarh each have a population of 7.2 and 2.2 million respectively. Raigarh district just starts South of Mumbai and lies on the coast. Pune district borders Raigarh to the East. Both districts are well connected through highways with Mumbai. While the majority of Raigarh’s population resides in rural areas (75.8 %), Pune has slightly more urban population (58.1 %).

Picture 4.8 (left): Typical Landscape with Lake in Khed Block, Pune District

Picture 4.9 (above): Fisher Village in Alibag, Raigarh District

Figure 4.27:

Urban and Rural Population in Selected Blocks of Pune and Raigarh Urban and Rural Population in Blocks 2001 (in 1000)

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

Junnar Khed Pen Mahad

Rural Urban

Source: own design; data: Ministry of Home Affairs 2005a

The selected blocks, however, are characterised by rural features like a large rural population and high percentage of workers in the agri-sector (see Figure 4.27 and 4.28, see Picture 4.8 and 4.9). In Raigarh less people work in the agri-sector as the economically well-developed areas surrounding Mumbai are in the North of the district.

The percentage of women working in the agri-sector is in all blocks higher than for men.

Thus, opportunities for women employment outside this sector might be low. Work migration of men to urban areas is high in both districts. Mahad in Raigarh district has a high female ratio (1035) as men permanently migrate to the cities. Pen is well connected to Mumbai and Pune through highways, hence, migration is more temporary. Junnar and Khed in Pune district are more interior places but are nevertheless connected to Pune.

Figure 4.28:

Percentage of Workers in Agri-Sector in Pune and Raigarh

Rural literacy rates in all blocks are lower than urban literacy rates (see Figure 4.29). The percentage of literate women is on an average more than 20 % lower than for men in rural areas of the selected blocks. Since health-awareness is linked to the educational status of people (see above), it will also be low. A further result is the manifestation of gender inequalities in education and employment patterns.

The deprivation of rural areas in Pune and Raigarh is visible in low access to water, lack of sanitation facilities and assets. Less than half of the population in both districts has access to tap water (see Figure 4.30). Wells are the second most important source for drinking water, followed by handpump and tubewells. The water quality is consequently lower for households without tap water and leads to water-borne diseases. Diarrhoea is very common especially among children.

Percentage of Workers in Agri-sector 2001

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Junnar/ Pune Khed/ Pune Pen/ Raigarh Mahad/ Raigarh

Workers in agri sector Men Women

Source: own design; data: Ministry of Home Affairs 2005a

Figure 4.29: Urban and Rural Literacy Rates for Selected Blocks in Pune and Raigarh

Figure 4.30: Drinking Water Sources for Rural Population in Pune and Raigarh

Source: own design; data: Ministry of Home Affairs 2005a

Urban and Rural Literacy Rates for Blocks (in %)

87 86

90 91

74 70 69

75

86 82 81

86

63 57 57

66

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Junnar Khed Pen Mahad

Urban Literacy Rural Literacy Rural Male Rural Female

Drinking Water Sources for Rural Areas 2001 (in %)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Tap Handpump Tubewell Well Tank, Pond, Lake River, Canal Spring Other

Pune Raigarh

Source: own design; data: Ministry of Home Affairs 2005a

Fire wood is the major fuel used for cooking by more than 60 % of the rural population (see Figure 4.31). The use of LPG and kerosene is below twenty and twelve percent respectively. Crop residue, cowdung cake and biogas are also used but to a lesser extent.

As already mentioned before cooking with firewood leads to indoor air pollution and may cause health problems. Deforestation is another major problem created through firewood usage. More than 70 % of population in rural Pune and Raigarh districts do not have a latrine or drainage facility (see Figure 4.32). The lack of these facilities has a polluting effect on water bodies, therewith, affecting health.

Availability of household assets is very low in both districts. In rural Raigarh nearly half of the population does not possess any household assets, while in Pune it is more than 30 % (see Figure 4.33). Rural areas in Pune are slightly better equipped with radio, television and especially with transport vehicles. The availability of bicycles and scooters is twice as high in Pune than it is in Raigarh. It is also Pune where more people own a car. Hence, mobility in Pune is higher and absolute poverty measured in available assets is lower than in Raigarh. Since both districts are geographically well connected to Mumbai and Pune, the road infrastructure is good and public transport is available. Nevertheless, health facilities in more interior areas like in Junnar, Khed or Mahad block can only be reached by individual means of transport, hence, walking to health facilities is also common here.

Figure 4.31: Fuel Used for Cooking by Rural Population in Pune and Raigarh Fuel Used for Cooking in Pune and Raigarh 2001 (in %)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Fire Wood Crop Residue Cowdung Cake Coal, Lignite, Charcoal Kerosene LPG Electricity Biogas

Pune Raigarh

Source: own design; data: Ministry of Home Affairs 2005a

Figure 4.32: Drainage and Latrine Facilities for Rural Population in Pune and Raigarh

Figure 4.33: Available Assets for Rural Population in Pune and Raigarh Drainage and Latrine Facilities in Pune and Raigarh 2001 (in %)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

closed open no pit latrine water closet other latrine no latrine

drainagelatrine

Pune Raigarh

Source: own design; data: Ministry of Home Affairs 2005a

Available Assets in Rural Pune and Raigarh 2001 (in %)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Radio, Transistor Television Telephone Bicycle Scooter, Motor Cycle, Moped Car, Jeep, Van None

Pune Raigarh

Source: own design; data: Ministry of Home Affairs 2005a