A Peep into Spatial Variation in the Level of Development in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal

The district South 24 Parganas in west Bengal is a laggard one in terms of development. Both the quality of life and standard of living are not up to the mark in almost all 29 C. D. Blocks and seven municipalities. Spatial variation also persist in terms of level of development. The main cause in this type of disparity is unequal distribution of natural resources and difference in natural and cultural environment. Livelihood pattern in Sundarban region and its adjacent areas is totally different. In Sundarban region involving 13 C. D. Blocks of the district, life sustaining activities are fully based on natural resources, but outside the jurisdiction of this region dependence on natural assets is relatively lesser. Inequality, poverty and deprivation exist in every aspect of life both in Sundarban and other parts of the district concerned. Present endeavour is an attempt to find out the level of development, the nature of its spatial variation and the causes of such variation in all the blocks.