BIRGUNJ: Over fifty per cent children from socially and economically backward communities in Parsa have been found suffering from acute malnutrition.

The data was revealed after a study held by the Equitable Development Hurdles Analysis Programme to minimise obstructions and challenges to attain equitable development in 10 extremely poor and backward settlements.

Bagahi, Bahuaridari, Bikhampur, Gadi, Lahawarthakari, Nirmalbasti, Bhiswa, Parshurampur, Tulsiwarwa and Shiwarwa were among the villages where the programme was implemented.

This programme was initiated in order to study fundamental needs like education, health, safe drinking water, cleanliness along with developments in child and women sector.

Children suffering from acute malnutrition were also found to be going through lack of sanitation awareness and pure drinking water facility along with poverty, domestic violence, practice of child labour, dowry system , child marriage, lack of accessibility to health services were enlisted as obstructions to development in the area.

Besides, one fourth population of these villages is unaware of consequences of open-defecation.

There are actually many studies that highlight the obstacles for equitable development, informed the District Development Committee Parsa Information Officer and resource person of the Programme Shambhu Khuswaha, "Plan and programme should target to remove such obstacles and challenges."