Spatial pattern of livelihood assets and poverty dimension: spatial reference to Kodikamam region

Abstract

Poverty is seen to be the worst social and economic problem in the world today. It is the unequal distribution of livelihood assets that leads to poverty among certain sections of the population. A large number of families living in and around Kodikamam are under the poverty line. Owing to this, they are unable to face the challenge posed by their economic crisis. As such, there arises the necessity to evaluate their poverty and take steps to eradicate it correctly. This study aims at surveying the exiting poverty situation. On the basis of the livelihood assets of the people and mapping them out. Besides it is also the aim of this research to identify the main livelihood aspects and map the part played by locational variations in determining the distribution of poverty and to accelerate the eradication of such poverty. While data were obtained from every Grama officer division in Kodikamam on the bases of livelihood assets, primary data were also collected through such methods – as discussions and direct observation. GIS technic was adopted as the methodology for mapping. These were later brought under a multispectral analysis, bases on locational variations. After that, the capital for livelihood were demarked each for separate analysis. Following this the poverty map was prepared on the bases of the livelihood assets which were later compared with the poverty map based on the Samuruddhi scheme and results obtained. The map based on the livelihood assets of each grama officer division were evaluated at three different levels. Thereby the causes of poverty were diagnosed, and the relations between livelihood assets and poverty were studied. Through this study, the discrepancies in the poverty levels, as well as in the livelihood capitals, and the causes for such discrepancies were observed. This study would be of assistance to regional development policymakers and also to planners, to identify the locational distribution of poverty and to eradicate it. Besides this study should also pave the way to undertake poverty eradication activities and to create a more prosperous society with improved livelihoods.