Malnutrition in Tribal Areas of Bengal | WBCS Standard Report Topic
Malnutrition in Tribal Areas of Bengal | WBCS Standard Report Topic
Malnutrition in Tribal Areas of Bengal | WBCS Standard Report Topic
By Staff Reporter
Jhargram, 21 February:
Malnutrition continues to plague the tribal belts of Purulia, Jhargram, and parts of West Midnapore. Recent data reveals that over 35% of children under five in these regions are underweight, stunted, or wasted — figures higher than the state average.
Key reasons include chronic poverty, erratic food supply, poor maternal health, early marriages, and underperforming Anganwadi centres. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted mid-day meal schemes and Poshan initiatives, worsening the situation.
The government has initiated Poshan Maah drives, supplementary nutrition programs, and fortified rice distribution. Experts recommend sustained monitoring, community participation, and convergence of health, education, and food departments to break the cycle of malnutrition.
