Geographical Variations of Livelihood Capital and Associated Effects in Rarh Region of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Although natural resources play a central role in rural livelihoods across the globe, little research has explored how different livelihood capital is distributed over a broad geographical and political region and its associated effects on the human population. This study aims to analyze the geographical variations of livelihood capital in the Rarh region of West Bengal and its associated effects on the overall population. Secondary data from 121 community development (CD) blocks have been used for the study. GIS methods have been used for mapping purposes and generating more micro-level data. The study found that the pattern shows a significant increase in livelihood capital from the western to the region’s eastern part. Higher proximate natural resources are associated with more significant financial, human, and social capital. Population residing in the eastern part of the region have, on average, more significant financial, physical, human, and social capital than the western part. The research highlighted the importance of providing credit to households located in the western portion of the region and access to improved crop varieties (particularly those linked to dry farming), rural governmental infrastructure, and time-bound targeted resource allocations. The research has relevance beyond the immediate context to other areas like the South-Asian developing countries.