West Bengal Report-IPAI.pdf - Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

221♦Early marriage of girls is the major cause of drop out forgirls among minority/SC/ST.15.1.2 South 24 Parganas: The geographical location of theSundarban area is vulnerable for natural calamities suchcyclones, thunderstorms with occasional floods, whichseverely affect the habitations and stall the existinginadequate communication facilities through vessels.♦ The massive dependence on water transport systemalongwith inadequate landing facilities practically makes thearea inaccessible during rainy season.♦About 53 percent of the working population is directlydependent on agriculture forest products, fishery andcottage industry.♦A seizable part of the child population is engaged incollection of tiger prawn seedlings.♦ Incidence of poverty and malnutrition, particularly inSunderban areas is quite high.♦There are many islands surrounded by river, rivulets andestuaries and continuously facing the high and low tide withcomparatively high level of salinity and soil erosion.♦♦The district shares the International border with Bangladesh.A sizeable population of the district belongs to SC/ST andminority communities.