Kerala 2005 - of Planning Commission

CHAPTER 4
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN KERALA: SPATIAL AND HORIZONTAL INEQUALITIES
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(and gender as we discuss later). Using the NSSO data
for 1999-00, (as the 2001 Census data for literacy
rates by social groups have not yet been released),
we find that over a quarter of the ST population was
illiterate compared to just a little over 10 per cent
for ‘others’; the situation is slightly better for SCs
followed by OBCs. However, it is at the higher levels
that the differences are more striking, especially from
‘secondary’ level onwards. Hence, the deprived groups
lag behind the ‘others’ in this basic functioning
achievement, which has played a central role in Kerala’s
development process.
Across all districts, the literacy rates of SCs and STs are lower
than the non-SC/ST population (as given by the 1991 Census);
the variability is higher for females in the SC/ST groups
(Table 4.8). Further female literacy among the ST population
is significantly lower in the districts of Palakkad (29 per cent),
Malappuram (38 per cent), Wayanad (43 per cent).
5.6 Fishing Community
Another ‘outlier’ social group, the marine fishing
community, numbering about 769,000 in 1996, living in
222 fishing villages spread along the Kerala coast, reports
Box 4.1: Fishing for Sustainable Change
"This is a struggle for the future – that of ours, and of the fish."
This was the famous statement made by Joyachen Antony, one of the early leaders of the historic socio-ecological
struggles of the fisherfolk of Kerala in the early 1980s. Joyachen did not live to see the fruits of his efforts. He was
snatched away by the sea. But his dreams, for a development process that would ensure proper management of the
fishery resource and a convivial livelihood for the people involved, gradually took shape. Fishing communities,
which were outliers in Kerala’s ‘high quality of life development experience’ even as late as 1980, soon commenced
a catching up process. That change in the quality of life is possible in a short period of time has been proved beyond
doubt. This was spurred by the collective action of the community from below, and responsiveness to this pressure
by the State from above.
The viable long-term solution for housing in fishing villages is for the Government to acquire private and Government
lands that lie outside the bounds of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), but close to the sea/inland waters, and allot
space for planned housing estates for active fishermen.
Upscaling the levels and quality of education of the future generation is another top priority, so that they have the
advantage of the traditional knowledge systems of their parents and yet are conversant with the latest developments
in technological and institutional arrangements. This can be achieved by expanding the existing network of residential
fisheries’ technical schools, with classes starting from the primary level.
The human resources for creating more educated and responsible children in fishing communities should be found
in the fishing communities themselves, in particular young girls – those who have gone through a minimum of 10
years of schooling – could be trained as primarily village workers; and be given the responsibility for setting up childcare
centres, noon meal schemes, food-for-work, local small-scale employment schemes, saving and credit unions,
sanitation and hygiene education programmes, etc., at the panchayat level. The liberal financial resources available
for poverty alleviation programmes with the state can be effectively utilised.
No substantial improvement in health will be possible without breaking the vicious cycle of well water pollution
resulting from the provision of sanitation using the septic tank technology. Given the high water table and porous
soils in the coastal tracts, rain harvesting, desalination and dry composting are the only stable remedies for achieving
sustainable health conditions. These will require a mix of individual and collective investments, the social benefits of
which will be very high.
To sustain change beyond the current generation, far greater innovations and investments are called for, which
we need to think outside the conventional frameworks. More committed action is required by the State and
the community.