Itanagar: Even though the Arunachal Pradesh government has launched a Green Arunachal campaign to protect its greenery, a recent Census report has found that half of the state`s population is still dependent on forest for their livelihood.
Over 68 percent of the total population in the state use firewood for cooking as well as a source of income by selling it in the market, according to the census conducted in 2011.
The report, which was released here recently at a seminar organized by the Directorate of Census Operations, found that only about 29.2 percent people in the state have LPG connections, compelling them to search alternative fuel sources.
About 65.7 percent households in the state enjoy electricity connections.
The report found that 38 percent of the population still had no latrine, though the number had reduced by 5.7 percent from the 2001 Census.
However, 18.8 percent use pit latrine facility which was 25.8 percent earlier.
On the drinking water front, 65.5 percent of households are having tap water connections, while 13.1 percent depend on hand pumps and 5.7 percent are having well water provisions for their daily use.
The report said that 14 percent people in the state have two-wheelers and 7.9 percent four-wheelers, which has increased from 6.8 percent and 2.4 percent respectively recorded in 2001.
Another interesting data was that 68.3 percent households have their own houses, and 22.6 percent of people live in rented houses.
While access to telephones has increased dramatically from a lowly 9.2 percent to 48.3 percent, the number of television set owners has increased by above 14 percent.
However, the number of radio set owners has decreased by 17 percent as compared to previous data recorded in 2001.
The overall crime graph in Arunachal Pradesh has also seen a decrease by six percent this year in comparison to the previous year`s crime record in the state.
In 2011, around 2,355 crimes were recorded, which was five per cent less than the 2,539 cases in 2010.
Crimes like murder, crime against women and extortion have marginally increased across the state, rape and kidnapping cases being an exception.
PTI
