Illegal mining denudes rich forest cover

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh has fallen prey to rampant illegal mining which has taken a toll on forests. Also, basic sanitation facilities, sufficient drinking water and communication technology are lagging in the state according MDG India Country Report 2015.
In the last of TOI's series on analysis of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) achieved by state and its neighbour Chhattisgarh in comparison to rest of the country, we look at environmental sustainability and improving communication technology.
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Madhya Pradesh lost 178 sq km of forest cover between 2011 and 2013. This, while total forest cover of the country rose by 5,871 sq. km. Chhattisgarh too lost 53 sq km of forest cover area in this time. However, maximum depletion occurred in Nagaland and Andhra Pradesh which lost almost 274 sq km of forest area each. While Nagaland lost forest cover due to biotic pressure, particularly shortening of shifting cultivation cycle, Andhra and MP were denuded by mining and encroachments. Areawise, MP has largest forest cover (77,522 sq.km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67,321 sq.km) and Chhattisgarh (55,621 sq. km).
During 2012, 85.8 % households in rural India had sufficient drinking water against 89.6 % in urban India. In comparison, urban areas of bigger states, Uttar Pradesh had highest (96.6 %) and Madhya Pradesh, the lowest (76.2%) proportion of households having sufficient drinking water. Even Chhattisgarh fared better 80.4% (rural) and 84.1% (urban) households having drinking water facility. However, more households in both rural and urban areas in MP had drinking water facility within their premises compared to CG.
NSS 2012 shows 59.4% and 8.8% households in rural India and urban India respectively had no access to sanitation. Across rural areas of bigger states, Jharkhand had highest (90.5 %) proportion of households that had no toilet facilities, followed by Odisha (81.3%) and MP (79%). Chhattisgarh though also a laggard was still better placed at 76.7%. The same pattern was also observed in urban areas of these states. India is unlikely to achieve target of basic sanitation in rural areas as against target of 46.77%. Only 60.9% was achieved. At all-India level, 2015 target is also unlikely to be met as only 47.31% has been achieved vis-a-vis target of 38.09%. Urban target would, however, be met.
State also has a large proportion of slum dwellings in urban areas (8.1%) compared to Chhattisgarh (7.2%). Both states have to go long way before becoming slum-free. Highest proportion of slums was in Maharashtra (30.1%), while national average was 10.8%.
Goal 8: Develop global partnership for development
Telecommunication has evolved as a basic infrastructure and also emerged as one of the critical components of economic growth required for overall socio-economic development of the country. While India is on a growth trajectory in this sector, MP/CG circle has a lot of catching up to do. Tele-density (telephone lines and cellular subscribers per 100 population) for urban area is lowest in the country (116.53%), while rural too is the second lowest 33.51%. Overall tele-density, however, is better than other EAG states like Bihar (47.13%) and Assam (49.5%) but almost 20 points below India (75.8%). Percentage of Internet subscribers in MP/CG circle (14.83) was, however, higher than Bihar (9.41%), UP (11.9%) and Odisha (12.9%) circles but less than all-India internet subscribers (20.83%).
GFX
Millennium Development Goal (MDG)
Indicators
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
Land area covered by forest
Sustainable access to improved water source
Access to sanitation
Slum population in urban areas
8. Develop a global partnership for development
Tele-density
Internet subscribers
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Change in Forest Cover in States during 2011-2013
Access to drinking water (NSS 2012)
State
Improved source of drinking water
Sufficient drinking water throughout the year
Having drinking water facility within premises
Rural
Urban
Rural
Urban
Rural
Urban
Bihar
97.6
99.7
92.4
95.2
71.7
85.6
Uttar Pradesh
96.6
99.2
97.1
96.6
58.1
77.6
Chhattisgarh
94.8
93.6
80.4
84.1
17.3
61.9
Madhya Pradesh
83.2
97.1
76.2
76.2
19.4
70.8
India
88.5
95.3
85.8
89.6
46.1
76.8
Access to sanitation and slum population
State
Households without access to sanitation
Slums in urban areas
Rural
Urban
Total
Bihar
72.8
20.8
67.4
5
Uttar Pradesh
75.3
10.7
60.1
2.6
Chhattisgarh
76.7
24.9
65.7
7.2
Madhya Pradesh
79
14
60.7
8.1
India
59.4
8.8
43.4
10.8
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development
Tele-density (telephone per 100)
State
Rural
Urban
Overall
Bihar
30.7
154.21
47.13
Madhya Pradesh
33.51
116.53
56.02
Assam
35.29
125.79
49.5
Uttar Pradesh
36.51
132.66
58.31
India
44.5
146.24
75.8
Cellular subscribers (per 100)
State
No of internet subscribers
Bihar
9.41
Uttar Pradesh
11.9
Odisha
12.9
Madhya Pradesh
14.83
India
20.83