International Research Journal of Social Sciences___________________________________ _ _ _ ISSN 2319 – 3565 Vol. 4 ( 1 2 ), 21 - 27 , December (2015) I nt. Res. J. Social Sci. International Science Congress Association 21 Socio Economic Status in a Hilly Region: A Case Study of Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala , India Md Kutubuddin Dhali Department of Geography, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal , INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in Received 12 th November 201 5 , revised 15 th November 201 5 , accepted 30 th November 2015 Abstract This paper is mainly focused on the socio - economic status of a hilly region of India. The present study is confined in the socio - economic character in Munnar, Kerala. Socio - economic framework is the basic key for country’s development. Munnar is a beautifu l clean hilly area of Kerala state in India. It is an important tourist spot of Kerala government. Socio - economic condition and its significant scenario are the main factors for country’s progress. Social structure, political stability, government policy, economic growth, educational pattern, demographic graph, women empowerment and food security - these are most important features in this area. Here ‘Kerala Model’ is apt for this type of work. Hilly region basically shows an under developed and isolated fro m main traditional society in 3 rd world and developing country but here Munnar socio - economic structure is different. Socio - economic structure is dynamic; it is changing over time to time. This work examines the present socio - economic condition of Munnar by Primary survey and field experience. Keywords: Munnar, socio - economi c status, Kerala model, primary survey. Introduction India one of the most developing countries in 21 st century. Socio - economic status of any country plays an important role for development. After 1990; rapid urbanisatio n, increase of total population, standard of living, par - capita income, educational progress, sex - ratio, gross income, women and child development indicate different status in south - eastern Asian country. Different states of India have different scenario a lso. The position of Kerala is significant in our country than any other states by physical and cultural landform inequalities from place to place. So, socio - economic status in plain land and mountain area are mostly different. Kerala is one of the most he terogeneous community states in India, like 35 tribal groups and its distribution is 1.20 % out of total population 1 . This type of information provides different socio - economic imbalance and problem yet Kerala’s socio - economic status is well. High social development, inter - cast stability and schedule tribes’ population developments are indicate ‘Follow Kerala 2 . High socio economic level provides higher education level from surrounding regions and child education is also developing 3 . Economic development is independent development and it is also different from other development; especially for women economic empowerment is a positive result for socio - economic development 4 . Health development indicates the stander of living of any society and it is also impor tant for socio - economic indicator 5 . Women are important part of a society, they play important role to standardise of society 6 . On the other hand education is another significant element for socio - economic condition. Education is important factor for socio - economic development of a country 7 . Health, education and employment these elements make stander of living 8 . Socio - economic disparity of any region indicates historical, political, cultural, economic, demographic and governmental process 9 . Socio - economic status is a national status and scenario of a particular place or region 10 . Socio - economic status is the structure of any society. It is the framework for national development. It is dynamic and changeable over time to time, government policy to another go vernment policy. Study Area: Munnar is one of the most significant tourist spots and hill stations on the Western Ghats Mountain, Kerala. This study location is situated in the Idukki districts of Kerala state. The geographical location of the study area is 10°04 ʹ45ʺ - 10°05 ʹ58ʺ latitude and 77°02ʹ40ʺ - 77°03 ʹ45ʺ longitude (figure - 1). This hilly station is most important for large tea garden. Number of layers and layers tea estates, water fall, mountain beauty and wildlife sanctuaries are main attraction of Mu nnar. The traditional man - made communications of this area are mainly Cochin International Airport (105 km away from study area) and Ernakulum Railway Station (approximately 140 km from Munnar). Munnar is situated 1700 metre from mean sea level. This hilly village comprises by 11 separate wards. Kannimalai, Nullathani, Munnar colony and Letchmi are mainly selected for primary survey. The average altitude of this green hill station is approximately 500 metres. Mountain climate, wet and cold weather for 8 mon ths covers this region. Main seasons of this area are spring (Feb - April), summer (May - Sep), wet winter (Oct - Dec), and dry winter (Jan - Feb). Research Objectives: i. Observation of social condition of the Munnar according to primary survey. ii. To identify the economic status of the study area is by field data. International Research Journal of Social Sciences__ ______________ ________________________ ____________ ISSN 2319 – 3565 Vol. 4 ( 1 2 ), 21 - 27 , December (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Social Sci. International Science Congress Association 22 Methodology The present work is based on mainly primary survey but secondary data like previous researc h reviews and collection of maps also help for this type of research. The methodology also includes both quantitative and qualitative knowledge about socio - economic condition. In the per field stage, we mainly collect different maps, some previous research reviews and work oriented information. Map has been collected from local government office and questionnaire was formed in this stage. Collection of primary data mainly includes field stage. After collection of data, row data is mainly arranged and classi fied and tabulated. In the post field stage, software used Arc GIS10.2.2 and application, Google Earth is used. Data were represented with some suitable statistical techniques, cartographic way and based on conceptual knowledge. Some programs used here are Microsoft Word document 2010 and Microsoft Excel 2010. Results and Discussion A primary survey is one of the most widely used ways to investigate in the social sciences. The most important tool in this type of research is collection of data. Random sampling is best statistical technique for data collection. Household survey had been carried out in 56 houses of the Munnar (mainly selected 4 wards). From field data, the socio - economic conditions is understood very significant; most significant demograp hic characteristic is sex ratio. This ratio is between male and female population in a particular place. The scenario of sex ratio here Munnar Colony is 1026:1000, Nullathani is 1001:1000, Letchmi is 867:1000, and Kannimalai is 722:1000 (figure - 2). The ove rall age sex structure provides clear idea of this region ( table - 1). Actual amount of population or percentages of population in different age groups are unstable from gender to age. The growth of Infant birth rate is more than infant death rate; it indica tes short term baby booms. At Nullathani during last 10 years, female birth rate (15) indicates increased result from male birth rate (7) and last 10 years death scenario is 4:4. In Munnar Colony, last 10 years number of male birth is 7 and female birth ra te is 6. On the other hand death ratio is 2:3. In Kannimalai during last 10 years birth ratio is 4:5. Letchmi shows birth rate ratio in last 10 years is 5:1. This area is typical developing area and hilly region. Overall 36% population falls in the age gro up below 24. Figure - 1 Location map of Munnar, Idukki districts, Kerala International Research Journal of Social Sciences__ ______________ ________________________ ____________ ISSN 2319 – 3565 Vol. 4 ( 1 2 ), 21 - 27 , December (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Social Sci. International Science Congress Association 23 Figure - 2 Sex - Ratio of four working ward at Munnar Table - 1 Age groups and Sex - Ratio (% is round figure) at Mu nnar, Source Primary data, 2013 Age groups Male (in %) Female (in %) Age groups Male (in %) Female (in %) 0 - 4 6 7 40 - 44 6 7 05 - 09 8 6 45 - 49 8 8 10 - 14 5 6 50 - 54 6 7 15 - 19 9 9 55 - 59 6 6 20 - 24 9 8 60 - 64 3 4 25 - 29 10 12 65 - 69 2 3 30 - 34 12 11 �70 3 5 35 - 39 7 8 Source Primary data, 2013 Family structure in social science plays another role for socio - economic studies in a particular place. Family population policy also depends on their religious or mental views. In this found survey all over result of 57% families are nucleated and 43% belong to joint family (figure - 3). Presence of nuclear family is high in Nullathani (71%) and Letchmi (85%). On the other hand, all over 64% residents are native and other 36% migrated from other places (figure - 4) but Kannimalai indicates more over 90% population are local people. Religious system in a traditional society issocial system and culture system. There are mainly three religious groups; Hindu, Christian and Muslim. Hindu population is 69%, Christian is 27% and Muslim population is4% out of total population (figure - 5). This variation of population indicates social multidirectional character of this hilly region. In Munnar colony Muslim population is respectively 12% but in other three wards like Nullathani, Letchmi and Kannimalai mostly are found in Hindu and Christion population. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 Munnar Colony Kannimalai Nullathani Letchmi Male Female Population Study Ward Male Female International Research Journal of Social Sciences__ ______________ ________________________ ____________ ISSN 2319 – 3565 Vol. 4 ( 1 2 ), 21 - 27 , December (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Social Sci. International Science Congress Association 24 Figure - 3 Family structure at Munnar Figure - 4 Residential scenario at Munna Figure - 5 Distribution of Religion at Munnar Joint family Nucleated family 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 native migrated % of Population Residents Hindu Christian Muslim International Research Journal of Social Sciences__ ______________ ________________________ ____________ ISSN 2319 – 3565 Vol. 4 ( 1 2 ), 21 - 27 , December (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Social Sci. International Science Congress Association 25 Drinking water effects human health. In Munnar overall 75% of family collect water from pipe line source and rest of 25% families’ usetank water supply system. Pipe line water supply system is controlled by the TATA. In Nullathani residents also usetank water (71%). On the other side thepeople o f Letchmi depends on pipe line water supply system. Sewage system is a waste water removal system or solution of rainy water management. In an open society, this is the main problem from place to place. In this study area 91% houses have sewage system and rest of 9% houses have don’t have proper sewage system. 100% sewage system is found in Munnar colony and Kannimalai but in Nullathani and Letchmino proper sewage system is there based on primary survey. Housing condition is another socio - economic structur e for social studies. Munnar indicates the variety of houses. 91 % houses are pucca and other 9% are kanchacha houses. Munnar colony indicates 99% pucca houses and Nullathani, Letchmi 31% and 29% kanchacha houses (Table - 2) are found.InKannimalai 6% kachach a housesare found (figure - 6). Table - 2 Showing different types of house of four study wards, Place Kanchacha houses Pucca house Munnar Colony 1 99 Kannimalai 6 94 Nullathani 31 69 Letchmi 29 71 Source Primary data, 2013 Economic condition like occupational pattern of Munnar is very well. Different types of workers are present here; tea garden worker, businessman, salesman, teacher, police and so on. The major profession of the residents is work of tea garden (27 %). The percentage of Business m an is 9%; private service holder is 7% and rest of 28% are students and 23% are house wife. Monthly income of this area is very strong. Maximum salary of population is 5,000 - 10,000 rupees (31.37%), 10,000 - 20,000 rupees (23.52%), 20,000 - 50,000 rupees (27.4 5%) and other ( table - 3), (figure - 7). Figure - 6 House types at Munnar Table - 3 Showing economic status of population at Munnar, Source Primary data, 2013 Monthly Income (Rs.) No. of Population % of Population 0 - 5000 5 9.8 5000 - 10000 16 31.37 10000 - 20000 12 23.52 20000 - 50000 14 27.45 �50000 4 7.84 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Munnar Colony Kannimalai Nullathani Letchmi % of Houses Study wards Kachacha houses Pucca house International Research Journal of Social Sciences__ ______________ ________________________ ____________ ISSN 2319 – 3565 Vol. 4 ( 1 2 ), 21 - 27 , December (201 5 ) Int. Res. J. Social Sci. International Science Congress Association 26 Figure - 7 Monthly income distribution of different classes at Munnar Conclusion Munnar is the most wonderful mountain place. It is located near the equatorial region. Socio - economic status of this area is most significant. Here in Nullathani and Munnar Colony cultural variation is well and Sex ratio is balanced. The number of Joint families and nuclear families is more or less same but Nullathani and Letchmimostly indic ate the nuclear families. Hinduism is major religious view but Christian is also here. Main source of drinking water is pipe line, it is controlled by TATA. Well sewage system is found in this place. Per capita income of residents in this area is also hig h. Socio - economic status is dynamic and it is changeable. This primary survey shows a micro study and information of present socio - economic condition of Munnar. Socio - economic scenario of this type of hilly region indicates developed society; a part of ‘Ke rala Model’. References 1. Census of India, Population report , (2011) 2. CSSEIP Human Development Report of Tribal Communities in Kerala. Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP), CUSAT, Kerala, (2010) 3. Shuang Ji and Koblinsky, Pare nt involvement in children’s education: An exploratory study of urban, Chinese immigrant families. Urban Education, 44(6), 687 - 709, (2009) 4. 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