An Appraisal of ODL Interventions in Terrorism Affected Kashmir Valley: Possibilities, Constraints, and Learning Experiences

Educational Scenario In Jammu And Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) is composed of three major geo-physical regions viz the Jammu, the Valley of Kashmir & the Ladakh. As per the data published by Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, Government of J& K, the region has 26.14% people living below poverty line where as in ladakh region this percentage is about 31.29%. The state of J&K is predominantly an agrarian state with 70% of the population deriving sources of livelihoods directly or indirectly from the agriculture. The share of agriculture and allied sectors in the Gross state Domestic Product (at 1999-2000 prices) is 20.59% for the year 2010-11.

A major segment of such population lives in poverty stricken conditions with high level of vulnerability to several natural hazards like flood, earthquakes, landslides etc. The state has unfavorable demographic situation and level of socioeconomic development. The state covers 6.76 percent area of the country inhabiting around 0.98 percent of its population as a result of which average population density is below national average. Presently the population density is 124 persons/Sq Kms. Though the valley of Kashmir is most thickly populated area of the state, it suffers from extreme backwardness primarily due to its peculiar physical features and traditional society. About 54 per cent of the population in the state is literate, as against the national literacy rate of 65.38 per cent. Despite the sincere concerns shown by the Government the J &K especially for the underprivileged sections, state continued to remain educationally backward. Furthermore the gaps between the literacy rates of male (65.75%) and female (41.82%) are alarming which shows the un-favorable socioeconomic position of females in the state.