The natural geography and harshness of the climate has isolated the Bundelkhand region. The situation has been worsened by political and economic exploitation. The area also has one of the lowest levels of economic and human development in the country. Lack of basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, water and sanitation services, transportation and communication facilities etc, further aggravates the vulnerability of the deprived communities of the region.

Population growth rate in the Bundelkhand region is almost the same as in adjoining parts. The present population is about three times the population of 1961, though population density in the region is significantly lower as compared to other parts of the two states.

The Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh comprises seven districts and a total area of 29,418 sq km, which is 12.21 per cent of the total geographical area of the state. Total population of the region is 8,232,847 and it contributes 4.95 per cent to the total population of the state. Average population density in the region is 277, which is around one-third of the state average. The entire region is among the most backward regions of the country and all seven districts of the region fall under the category of the poorest districts of the country.

Demographic Profile of the Region

A group of Kol children

Kol women with one of the workers of ABSSS

Except Jhansi, all other districts in Bundelkhand are predominantly rural in character. The sex ratio of the region at 865 women to 1000 men is much below the state average of 898:1000. It varies from 851 in Hamirpur to 873 in Chitrakoot.

Socio-Economic Profile

Over one-fourth of the area's population (25.14 per cent) is Scheduled Caste (SC) and 0.02 per cent population is Scheduled Tribe (ST). The Saharia tribe is included in the ST population only in Lalitpur district, while the other primitive tribal communities such as the Kols and Mawaiyas etc are still classified as SCs, although in the neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar, they have been accorded ST status. Generally, social and gender discrimination and feudalism are predominant factors in the society.

Agriculture and allied activities are the primary sources of livelihood in the area. According to the 2001 census, there are 3,243,042 workers in the region out of which 68.58 per cent are main workers and 31.42 per cent are marginal workers. Cultivators and agricultural labourers constitute 74.55 per cent of the total workers in the region.

More than 80 per cent farmers are small and marginal, and generally, agriculture is dependent on the rain. Cropping intensity is only 117 and this reflects the general condition of the workforce dependent on farm based activities

Home