Multidimensional Rural Livelihoods in Indian Sub-Himalaya: Regional Analysis, Households Well-Being and Its Determinants

Abstract

A cursory review of literatures shows a void in regional patterns analysis of rural livelihood in the sub-Himalayan West Bengal, India. Therefore, this study has attempted to examine the regional pattern of multidimensional rural livelihoods (assets, accessibility, health and education) in the study area. The study has attempted to look at the various determinants that make a region different from others in the same geographical space in terms of livelihood practices and household well-being. The study has applied a mixed research method, that is, Principal component analysis (PCA), household well-being indicator approach, multiple regressions, and focus group discussions (FGDs). The community blocks of the study area are found to be differently endowed in terms of different assets. The results show that marginalised castes and non-Hindu households have a relatively lower well-being score than the other households. The results suggest that daily work opportunities and an increase in the number of casual labourers positively impact the generation of decent and sustainable livelihood. It also shows an increase in the household well-being score to occupation groups such as businesses and salaried jobs. However, collection of sandstone and other construction materials from the river bed is emerging as a new source of livelihood.