DIMAPUR | Dimapur district has secured the 10th position among 121 districts in the 2023-24 North Eastern Region District SDG Index, recording a composite score of 76.29 and registering a sharp improvement from its previous ranking in the 2021-22 edition.

The district had earlier scored 63.67 and ranked 76th among 103 districts, marking a major leap in overall performance under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) assessment framework.

Presenting the district’s SDG profile during a review meeting on SDG India Index 4.0 and NER District SDG Index 2.0 held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall in Dimapur on Thursday, Imtijungla Lemtur said the assessment measured progress using 84 indicators mapped across 50 SDG targets.

According to officials, the index followed the methodology of the SDG India Index, assigning equal weightage to all goals. Districts were categorised into aspirants, performers, front-runners and achievers based on their overall scores.

Dimapur recorded particularly strong performances across several sectors, including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), where it scored 91, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) with 97, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) with 86, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) with 87, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) with 88.

The report highlighted major improvements in infrastructure and public services, including 100 per cent village electrification, full mobile network coverage in villages, universal access to improved drinking water sources and verified open defecation-free status across villages.

In the education sector, the district reported progress in the availability of computers in schools, improved numbers of trained secondary-level teachers and reduced dropout rates at the lower secondary level.

Health indicators reflected high levels of institutional deliveries and skilled birth attendance. However, officials noted that areas such as infant mortality and healthcare infrastructure still require further improvement.

The district profile also recorded gains in sanitation coverage, banking access, completion of housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and internet connectivity.

At the same time, officials identified reduced inequalities, forest cover, healthcare services and municipal solid waste treatment as sectors needing continued policy attention and intervention.

The review meeting was attended by heads of departments and officials from various departments under the Dimapur district administration.

In her opening remarks, Diana Patton said the SDG India Index 2023-24 covered 17 goals, 70 targets and 115 indicators. She urged all departments to ensure accurate and updated data submission and work collectively to further improve the district’s SDG rankings and development performance.