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Wirmark, Anna, 2009. Towards sustainable development in Kallankuthal, a small village in southern India : a case study on local opinions. First cycle, G2E. Uppsala: SLU, Dept. of Urban and Rural Development

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Abstract

This paper focuses on the concept of sustainable development, a concept that has been defined and refined since it was created 20 years ago. The purpose of the study is to collect and analyse the inhabitants’ view of local resources and development in a small village in south India, Kallankuthal, about 20 kilometres north of Madurai. The material on which the study is based, was collected during a visit to India in 2004 through semistructured interviews, focus groups and observations.

Among the results of the interviews are: the economy is growing quickly; giving a better situation also for the poorest – i.e. the ones living in Kallankuthal. Many are unemployed and most who have jobs are employed "on a daily basis".

The main positive changes are a substantial increase in education and a decline in fertility. The main negative changes are too small, and sometimes damaged houses, health problems and no medical care at night.

Female vulnerability and high dependency on their male relatives is also a problem where women marry too young, live shorter lives and are victims of prenatal sex determination.

Environmental resources are important and appreciated. The weather leads to generally good biological conditions for agriculture. A lot of herbal plants and medical plants for diseases like head pain and jaundice are available in the area. The village has a bore well and washing place. Some households in Kallankuthal have equipment that produces biogas but other then that, waste management needs to be amended.

Kallankuthal has every incentive to move towards broad sustainability. During this process there is a need to involve more people in the discussion on where India is going. Sustainable development could be used as a forum - for a broad discussion on finding the right road forward. Politicians, researchers and inhabitants need to be involved in this process.

Main title:Towards sustainable development in Kallankuthal, a small village in southern India
Subtitle:a case study on local opinions
Authors:Wirmark, Anna
Supervisor:Powell, Neil
Examiner:Arora-Jonsson, Seema
Series:UNSPECIFIED
Volume/Sequential designation:UNSPECIFIED
Year of Publication:2009
Level and depth descriptor:First cycle, G2E
Student's programme affiliation:NY001 Agricultural Programme - Economics and Management 270 HEC
Supervising department:(NL, NJ) > Dept. of Urban and Rural Development
(LTJ, LTV) > Dept. of Urban and Rural Development
Keywords:sustainability, sustainable development, india, local resources
URN:NBN:urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-8-287
Permanent URL:
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-8-287
Subject. Use of subject categories until 2023-04-30.:Nature conservation and land resources
Rural population
Research methods
Investment, finance and credit
Social sciences, humanities and education
Development economics and policies
Human medicine, health, and safety
Rural sociology and social security
Public administration
Land economics and policies
Surveying methods
Language:English
Deposited On:30 Oct 2009 07:47
Metadata Last Modified:20 Apr 2012 14:10

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