Paper Industry and Rural Communities in Context of Sustainability - Evidences from Odisha

Abstract

An attempt has been made in the present study to examine the impact of paper industry on the rural community in context of sustainable development in Rayagada District of Odisha. A comparative approach i.e. with and without method has been adopted to know the impact due to industrialization. The study is based on the primary data which were collected by administering a structured surveyed schedule on the households of industrial and non-industrial villages during January to March 2018. It has been found that industrialization has positively as well as negatively affected the rural community. It provides an important source of livelihood to the people in industrial region as more than 60% of the workforce is engaged as industrial labors. It has also helped in improving the financial conditions of rural community apart from infrastructure development like providing transportation facilities, health and educational facilities. But all these benefits have been at the cost of environment. The region has witnessed a significant deterioration in the quality of environment. Thus, though industrialization boosts the development of rural community but deteriorates the environment thereby raising the issue of sustainability. Hence industrialization should be continued in the sustainable manner for the rural community and regional development.