Levels of Economic Development in South Konkan Region of Maharashtra: Spatial and Temporal Analysis

Economic development is the process by which a nation i100mproves the economic, political and social well-being of its people. Economic development is a policy endeavor with aims of economic and social well-being of people. The concept of development should not be confined to economic attainment alone. It should be human centric. Human development is much more than the rise and fall of incomes. However, economic development plays major role in the development of human well-being. One cannot totally under estimate this attribute. It is the driving force in the development process. Maharashtra has constantly done well for itself in terms of economic growth. However, Regional variation and disparity in the levels of economic development is major concern for human welfare (MHDR, 2002).

The present study brings into our notice that South Konkan region has made relatively less progress in terms of economic development in last three decade. Its economic development index has increased from 0.25 index values in 1991 to 0.42 index value in 2011. Decadal growth rate in terms of economic development is not good in the South Konkan region (27.27%) compare to state’s averages growth rate (34.78). In the last three decades, out of seventeen tehsils in the study region, Ratnagiri is only one tehsil in the category of moderately developed. Still nine tehsils in the category of low developed and seven in the category of very low developed are found. There is not a single tehsil in the study region which is observed in the category of highly developed. It is not good sign of economic development of the study region. On the one hand, the study region has several geographical hindrances which restrict the economic development of this region and people from this region migrate towards Mumbai, Pune and Goa etc. in search of job. On the other hand, South Konkan region has some potential for development. Rich sea shore, marine fishery, tourist destination, favorable conditions for specific cash crops like Mango, Cashew-nut etc. should be utilized for the economic development of the region.