A study on water-borne diseasesof purulia municipality, Purulia, West Bengal, India Patra Uttam Kumar1, Mukherjee Somnath2 1Faculty Member, Department of Geography, J. K. College, Purulia, West Bengal 2Assistant professor of Geography, Bankura Christian College, Bankura, West Bengal, India Online published on 7 October, 2019. Abstract Purulia Municipality is one of the upcoming developing Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of West Bengal and India. The Municipality was established in the year 1876 with a name ‘Purulia Municipal Committee’. It is characterized by inhabitants of severely unequal income level. In one side group of entrepreneurs especially from non-bengali castes have high living standards and in other side original inhabitants are mostly living in bad economic condition and health. In this juncture the people of the place experienced the introduction of large growth of markets and corporate business, vertical growth of concretization etc. People outside of this Municipality are also likely to live in the affordable flats in and around a town center where Malls, Bazars, and every possible goods are extended to serve. It is imperative to inform that Purulia is always the place of water scarcity due to its geological condition and hot and dry climate. In addition to this per head water consumption has been continuously decreasing with the development of new colonies in and around the town center. People with high living standards maintain their demand on water by deep boring etc which by and large lowering the sub-surface water level of the place. Moreover one of the commonest urban problems also picks in the form of very bad condition of sea-wage and drainage system. These led to stagnant of water and water borne diseases in and around the locality, which is quite low before such development in the Municipality. Beside this, lack of sustainability of water supply is considered as a major issue in Purulia Municipality that accounts for prevalence of waterborne diseases. Diarrhea and Jaundice are common here. In addition, socioeconomic status such as; education, income and occupation are also the other influential factors associated with prevalence of waterborne diseases. Objective: This study aims to assess the association of water and socioeconomic status with the prevalence rate of waterborne diseases and to know the sources of drinking water and to suggest some preventive measures. The entire study is made by collecting data by interviewing people and from Health Department of Purulia Municipality. The entire work is completed with the help of Microsoft Word and Excel. Result: The occurrence of waterborne diseases was mostly found in slum areas due to low quality of water, low level of education etc. It is noted that compared to other waterborne diseases, the prevalence rate of diarrhea was found to be the highest and next jaundice in the wards. Majority of people had primary level education, low income and relied on small industries and as daily labourers, as their occupation, which were significantly associated with waterborne diseases. Top |