Census of Manipur at a glance

Triveni Waikhom *

The Indian Census is an important source of information on demography (population characteristics) and its distribution in respect of literacy and education, socio-economic status, housing and household amenities, urbanisation, sex ratio, fertility and mortality etc. It is useful in planning for development of a State or the country as a whole.

It provides the basis for food and essential commodities, transport and communication, education, medical and health care, industry, administration etc.

Independent India has been carrying out census since 1951. Census is a gigantic operation, conducted by about 2 million enumerators across the country that makes door to door canvas. Directorate of Census Operations publish the data after analysis.

It is interesting to note that the total population of Manipur in 1951 was only 5,77,635, of which, 0.5 % was urban and 99.5% was rural. About 70% of the population inhabited the plains while about 30%, the hills. More than one fourth of the population were engaged in agriculture. There were only 589 motor vehicles in total !

The census, 2011 shows more than 5 times increase in the population in the past 60 years. Now the total human count of the State is 27,21,756, males: 13,69,764 and females: 13,51,992 with a sex ratio of 0.987.

Average density of human population is 122 per square kilometre. A comparison of the percentage of district-wise population between 1961 and 2011 shows that there is increase in the population in Senapati district (9.24% vs 13.04) while there are decreases in Bishenpur (10.11% vs 8.83) and Thoubal (17.3% vs 15.45). Decrease is also observed in the two Imphal districts.

The two districts of Imphal have become thickly populated and thus further increase in the population would be uncomfortable. A study on why there are comparative decreases in the populations of the two valley districts and increase in the Senapati district would be interesting.

However, it is encouraging to see a leap in the total literacy in 10 years, ie, from 70.5% in 2010 to 79.85% in 2011. Although the values are slightly lower than those of the neighbouring States, ie, 80.11% of Nagaland and 91.58% of Mizoram, the State is on the higher side as it is more than the average literacy percentage of 74.04% of India.

With the values of census available, particularly on the total head counts and literacy rate, two questions arise in our mind. These are also the important concerns of the Government:
1. Water for drinking and sanitation and power supply and
2. Education and employment of the youth.

Water is required for the growing population. However, our water resources are limited. Northeast India is regarded as the powerhouse of the country as it is criss-crossed by numerous rivers and hill streams. While there are attempts to tab water for power generation, environmentalists are very much concerned about the biodiversity it supports.

We are in the biodiversity hotspot area where there are several endemic and threatened species. We need to plan for judicious use of the limited water resources so as to supply the needs of the population, generate power and also to conserve biodiversity. It is not an easy task and all concerned should work together with understanding.

The State is facing drain of educated youths towards professional courses, majority of whom are absorbed in institutes or private companies outside the State. As a result, left out candidates are admitted in the traditional colleges and the university.

Most of them are not interested in their studies as there are little hopes for employment and a bright future career. Thus, planning with certain clear-cut objectives is needed to solve these problems so that we see better and encouraging figures come out in the next census, 2021.