KBR Region in India

The abbreviation KBR in the Indian context commonly refers to the Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput region of Odisha. This area is also often referred to as the KBK region.

Definition and Composition

• The KBR / KBK region comprises eight districts in the southern and western parts of Odisha: Kalahandi, Balangir, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Nuapada, and Sonepur.
• Originally, the term focused on the three core districts—Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput—but over time the region was expanded administratively to include nearby backward districts.
• The region covers roughly 30 % of Odisha’s land area and accounts for about 20 % of its population.

Socioeconomic Challenges

The KBR region is frequently identified as one of the most backward and underdeveloped regions in India. Some of the critical challenges include:

• Poverty and Food Insecurity: A high incidence of families living below the poverty line and recurring crop failure have led to seasonal hunger and migration.
• Poor Infrastructure: Many areas lack adequate road connectivity, electrification, health facilities, and educational institutions.
• Agricultural Vulnerability: Farming in the region is heavily rain-dependent, with limited irrigation and frequent droughts or erratic rainfall patterns.
• Tribal Population and Marginalisation: A significant proportion of the region’s inhabitants belong to tribal communities, who often face socio-economic marginalisation.
• Forest Degradation: While the region has historically had rich forest cover, illegal logging, shifting cultivation, and overuse of forest resources have degraded forest quality.
• Low Literacy and Human Development Indicators: Female literacy is particularly low, and access to health and sanitation services is severely constrained.

Government Initiatives

In response to the region’s challenges, both the Government of Odisha and the Government of India have launched special development programmes:

• Backwards Region Grants and Special Plans: Targeted funding for roads, schools, health, and skill development.
• Integrated Tribal Development Projects: Focused on improving livelihoods, education, and social welfare in tribal areas.
• Agricultural Support Measures: Promotion of drought-resistant crops, improved seeds, and micro-irrigation schemes.
• Livelihood Diversification: Encouraging non-farm activities, small industries, forest produce-based enterprises, and self-help groups.
• Forest and Environmental Conservation: Afforestation, soil conservation, and sustainable forest management to restore ecological balance.

Significance in Indian Planning

The KBR region is often cited as a case study for geographic inequality and regional backwardness in India. It highlights how:

• Physical remoteness, topography, and climate constraints can compound development challenges.
• Traditional socio-economic marginalisation, especially of tribal and rural communities, requires persistent policy focus.
• Multi-sectoral interventions—spanning infrastructure, health, education, employment, and environment—are essential to break cycles of underdevelopment.