Assessing the Socio-Economic Setup of Ravangla, Sikkim, and the Vulnerability of its Community using Geoinformatics

Abstract

The geoinformatics platform integrates remotely sensed data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It has a vast range of applications. The technique is widely used not only to study the physical aspects of a region but also to analyse the social and economic setup. The objective of this study is to understand the socio-economic setup of Ravangla, which is a small tourist town located in South Sikkim, India. The primary data have been collected from the field survey and analysed using GIS tools. The social indices such as social structure, housing condition, and the condition of basic facilities such as health, education, transport, market, and others have been analysed in the present study. GIS has been used to study the spatial distribution of these social and economic parameters. The technique has also been used to assess the socio-economic vulnerability of the community living in Ravangla. The Composite Vulnerability at the community level has been calculated based on socioeconomic parameters and a vulnerability map has been prepared. Based on the Composite Vulnerability Index, the households in the study area have been classified as Highly, Moderately, and Less Vulnerable. The GIS techniques have been used to amalgamate the socioeconomic components of vulnerability to recognize the most vulnerable households in Ravangla. The study will help planners, policymakers, and administrators to take necessary steps for mitigating socio-economic problems in the study area.