Dehradun: In a shocking revelation, 18,000 children in the age group of 0 and 6 years are malnourished in the state, according to data collected in 2017 by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) wing of Women and Child Welfare Department of Uttarakhand. The most number of 'severely malnourished' children are in Udham Singh Nagar with 1,800, followed by Haridwar at 725. However, district-wise figures were not disclosed.The state has 7.5 lakh children registered in anganwadi centres across the state. An internal survey by Niti Aayog says, 33% of the children in this age group are malnourished and the state must take immediate action to curb malnutrition. Moreover, what is also of concern is that about 60% of registered children and 47% of registered women at anganwadis suffer from anaemia in the state.A Niti Aayog official, D K Paul, said, “Anaemia causes instant fatigue, and affects children's mental health, as it reduces one's concentration power. This means that we are yielding a population whose intelligence quotient will be less. All these due to the carelessness and ignorance of the mother and the family. Uttarakhand’s stunting (low height-for-age) and wasting (low weight-for-height) are equal to the national average of 34 and 20, respectively. We need to bring down stunting to 25 as soon as possible. We cannot see our children getting an unhealthy future.”According to state women and child welfare development minister Rekha Arya, “Majority of these children are malnourished due to inter-generational cycle of malnutrition, which is triggered when the child is still in the womb. A mother should get a healthy and balanced diet for proper growth of the baby during at least 240 days of the gestation period of 280 days.”The state government has initiated a Poshan Mission starting Friday to spread awareness on adverse effects of poor nutrition on physical and mental health of children. Meanwhile, Niti Aayog has chosen four districts of Uttarakhand -- Uttarkashi, Chamoli, US Nagar and Haridwar -- in the first phase to bring malnutrition levels to zero in the next three years followed by another six districts later.A senior official of the WCD, requesting anonymity, said, “Niti Aayog’s internal survey must be very accurate. In the absence of digital equipment, the actual height and weight of children cannot be monitored accurately. Also, we believe that frontline workers are not revealing correct facts and figures about children’s actual health status for fear that they might face action for the shortcomings.”