Poverty in rural India is localised in specific regions. The Western Ghats region is particularly affected due to its rugged topography, fragmented landholdings, and little industrial advancement. The Ministry of Rural Development. 2024. This research article presents a socio-temporal analysis of poverty alleviation in the five western highland tehsils of Kolhapur District: Gaganbawada, Shahuwadi, Panhala, Radhanagari, and Bhudargad. The study evaluates the efficacy of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as a tool for socio-economic progress, utilising secondary data from the District Statistical Handbook and MGNREGA Management Information System (MIS) reports spanning 2015 to 2024. The analysis indicates that the introduction of MGNREGA is associated with enhanced employment security, particularly during off-seasons when agricultural activity is minimal. Nonetheless, there exist spatial disparities. Radhanagari and Bhudargad excel in asset creation, however Gaganbawada struggles to retain workers due to severe weather conditions. The research indicates that government initiatives have mitigated the intensity of deprivation; but, a "one-size-fits-all" strategy is ineffective for these environmentally sensitive regions. Policies must be customised to the region's topography. Department of Rural Development. 2024.
Patil et al. (Fri,) studied this question.