Promote Community Development Research Articles

Social Capital and Community Development

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the concept of social capital and its role in promoting community development and resilience, with a focus on practical interventions and policy implications. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to social capital and community development. In this study on social capital and community development, while all authors contribute to the overarching theme, one author stands out for discussing a slightly different topic. Specifically, the author who emphasizes the economic advantages of robust social capital within a community diverges somewhat from the others. While the study as a whole examines various aspects of community development, including economic prosperity, social cohesion, and resilience, this particular author delves deeper into the specific mechanisms through which social capital enhances economic opportunities, such as access to resources, markets, and employment. Therefore, this author's focus on the economic dimension of social capital provides a unique perspective within the broader context of community development discussed by the other authors. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Capital theory, Community Empowerment theory and Structural Functionalism theory may be used to anchor future studies on the concept of social capital and its role in promoting community development and resilience. The study made several recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy in the field. It suggested further exploration of the mechanisms linking social capital to community development outcomes, integration of social capital considerations into policy frameworks, and implementation of community-based interventions. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of capacity-building efforts, collaborative partnerships among stakeholders, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. By investing in these recommendations, stakeholders aimed to foster resilient, inclusive, and thriving communities, leveraging social capital as a catalyst for positive social change.

Bridging Horizons: Exploring STEM Students’ Perspectives on Service-Learning and Storytelling Activities for Community Engagement and Gender Equality

This study explores STEM students’ perspectives on service-learning and story-telling activities to enhance community engagement and advance gender equality, investigating their impact on students’ perceptions, experiences, and understanding of gender dynamics within rural communities. Through qualitative analysis of interviews, reflective journals, and participatory videos, this study explores the transformative potential of service-learning and storytelling initiatives in empowering rural women, challenging traditional societal roles, and advocating for equal opportunities, particularly in STEM disciplines. Findings reveal the multifaceted benefits of these activities, including the development of empathy, cultural awareness, leadership skills, and a commitment to social justice among participating students. This study highlights the importance of integrating service-learning and storytelling into STEM education to cultivate inclusive practices, promote community development, and advance gender equality in rural settings.

Donation Campaign

In today's dynamic world, community development stands as a cornerstone for societal progress. However, numerous communities around the globe face various challenges hindering their growth and well-being. In response, our project aims to launch a donation campaign focused on addressing these challenges and fostering sustainable development within underserved communities. Through strategic planning and community engagement, we aspire to make a meaningful impact and create positive change on a grassroots level. The donation campaign seeks to address pressing issues such as poverty, education gaps, healthcare deficiencies, and environmental degradation within marginalized communities. By providing targeted assistance and resources, we aim to uplift these communities and empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty. The primary objective of the campaign is to mobilize resources and support from individuals, businesses, and organizations to fund initiatives that promote community development. These initiatives include but are not limited to providing access to education, healthcare services, clean water, sustainable livelihood opportunities, and environmental conservation efforts. Our campaign targets individuals and entities passionate about social impactand community development. This includes philanthropists, corporate entities with corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, foundations, and individuals looking to make a difference in the lives of others. The campaign will employ a multi-faceted approach, utilizing various communication channels such as social media, traditional media, community events, and partnerships with local organizations to raise awareness and solicit donations. We will also leverage technology to facilitate easy and secure donation processes, ensuring transparency and accountability. The campaign will be executed in phases, starting with a comprehensive needs assessment to identify priority areas within target communities. Following this, fundraising activities will be initiated, alongside community engagement efforts to ensure buy-in and participation from local stakeholders. Funds raised will be allocated towards implementing sustainable solutions tailored to the specific needs of each community. Our donation campaign for community development represents a concerted effort to address systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities. By harnessing the collective power of donors and stakeholders, we aim to foster inclusive growth and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Join us in making a meaningful difference and building stronger, more resilient communities.

The Influence of Community Drought Risk Management on Community Development in Tiaty Constituency, Kenya

Climate change contributed to an increase in the rate of disasters, particularly those with meteorological origins. This study assessed community drought risk management strategies and community development in Tiaty Constituency, Kenya. The objective was to determine the influence of disaster risk reduction programs in promoting community development in the area, grounded in the Environmental Community Development Theory. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted, with a target population of 12,153 people. The sample size comprised 395 respondents selected using stratified sampling techniques. Statistical Analysis Software version 25 was utilized for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were conducted to offer descriptive features of the study variables, with quantitative survey data expressed as mean averages. The study revealed that risk reduction programs focusing on environmental conservation and sustainable practices contributed to the long-term sustainability of communities in Tiaty Constituency. It was found that building community resilience extended beyond disaster management and contributed to overall community development, aimed at achieving sustainable self-reliance. The findings highlighted the significant positive impact of drought risk reduction programs in aiding community development and resilience-building efforts. Based on the comprehensive findings, the study recommended prioritizing and expanding risk reduction programs, with a specific focus on environmental conservation, social cohesion, and community participation in hazard assessment, to inform planning and decision-making processes.

The Economic Contribution of Non-Timber Forest Product to the Community Income: A Case of Community Forest in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

A community forest is a forest area whose use is intended to promote community development and well-being. This research was conducted in order to determine the contribution of NTFP income to Community Forestry (HKm) areas, particularly in Rompegading Village, Cenrana District, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi. Using a method of purposive sampling, up to 25 respondents met the criterion of actively managing NTFPs. Using interview guidelines and questionnaires, respondents were interviewed. On the basis of previously tabulated data, descriptive analysis was performed. The study reveals that the varieties of NTFPs utilized by the community are palm sugar and forest honey, while rice and peanuts are cultivated. NTFPs contribute 56% of the total annual income of IDR1, 116, 270, 235 ((72001,8 USD), which includes income from both NTFPs and agriculture.

Implementing a Senior Community Care Model: An Italian Top‐Down Cohousing Project and Nursing Home

Not ageing in place is an increasing reality for many older Europeans. For several decades societies have applied different care models in developing initiatives to provide safe and age-friendly spaces. This article presents the community care model implemented by the Italian service provider ISRAA in Treviso (Italy) in one of its nursing homes and senior cohousing projects. The aim of our study was to analyse this senior community care model and find out how residents have responded to it. Participants were both the older adult residents in the two ISRAA facilities and professionals responsible for their social attention. A qualitative methodology was used: questionnaire, interviews, and focus groups with professionals and care facility residents. Results reveal the care philosophy implemented, residents’ experiences, the main barriers to creating a community, and how this model could be improved by following community development principles, with the older people’s help, participation, and engagement. The conclusions highlight the importance of applying principles of self-determination and social inclusion in a preventive care model for the senior community. In addition, a key factor in promoting community development is for professionals to act as community development practitioners and to allow older adults to be part of the change.

Community Radio Influence and Project Interventions During the Covid-19 Period

The Ministry of Health in Nairobi, Kenya confirmed the first case of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) on the 12th of March 2020 since the outbreak in China in December of 2019. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and as a result negatively affected the lives of communities globally. Job loss, mental illness, uncertainty, deaths, domestic violence, denial, misconceptions of the existence of COVID-19 and depressed economies are some of the characteristic features of nations during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of community radio in community engagement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic among Voi and Marsabit marginalised communities in Kenya. The study objectives were to determine the influence of Sifa FM community radio station programmes on community development in Voi and Marsabit communities during the COVID-19 period; to establish the COVID-19 intervention projects conducted by Sifa FM community radio stations in Kenya that promote community development initiatives in Marsabit and Voi; to assess the challenges encountered when engaging in COVID-19 intervention projects by Sifa FM Voi and Marsabit community radio stations in Kenya to promote community engagement; and to identify risks and gaps encountered by Sifa FM Voi and Marsabit community radio stations during the COVID-19 period in Kenya. The study adopted the Empowerment Theory. 212 respondents participated in this study and consisted of four groups: The Sifa FM station manager, 11 community leaders and 100 community members in both Voi and Marsabit respectively. Purposive sampling was used to select community leaders and Sifa FM radio station manager, while snowball sampling was adopted to select community members residing in Voi and Marsabit communities. Mixed research design was adopted for this study. Data was collected using two interview guides and a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was collected between July and October 2021. Quantitative data was captured using SPSS version 20 software while qualitative data was analysed using thematic and content analysis.Findings revealed that Sifa FM community radio station programmes aired during the COVID-19 period contributed to increased levels of social and economic development in Voi and Marsabit communities. Social development was achieved to some extent through educating Sifa FM listeners on COVID-19 which influenced community health. Programmes about economic activities that were aired on Sifa FM provided insight that would impact the living standards of community members and economic development. Sifa FM contributed significantly to social-economic development of Voi and Marsabit communities during the COVID-19 period. Findings further revealed that Sifa FM contributed to several project interventions where the highest number of respondents supported public awareness on COVID-19 interventions as the priority. Results indicated that more can be done to increase the scope of outreach for project interventions from Sifa FM. There are challenges which were encountered by Voi and Marsa bit communities such as distribution of low-quality masks. Gaps were identified such as creating awareness of COVID-19. One risk associated with COVID-19 in Voi and Marsabit was job loss at a percentage of 84%

Age – Grades and Community Development in Southeast Nigeria

This paper examines the involvement and participation of age-grades in community development in the southeastern part of Nigeria. It is a known truism that many rural communities in southeast Nigeria just like many other rural in different parts of the country suffer massive underdevelopment as a result of successive governments’ lack of interest in developing the rural areas. Even when they do, it is not usually in consultation with the local people in terms of the kind of projects and infrastructures they need most in their communities. As a result, most times you find development projects that do not have any direct impact on the lives of the people. Different communities therefore resort to self-help in bringing development to their communities and age-grades remain one of the groups that are actively involved in community development in southeast Nigeria. This study focuses on the factors that give impetus to the involvement of age-grades in community development, roles that age-grades play in community development, challenges that age-grades face as a result of their involvement in community development, and measures that can be put in place to ensure continued strong participation of age-grades in community development in southeast Nigeria. The methodology used in this work is essentially descriptive. The theoretical framework for this study is role theory (functionalist approach). The study contends that some of the factors that encourage involvement of age-grades in community development in southeast Nigeria include; sense of identity, recognition and traditional titles, political relevance, lack of development, and replication of what is in place in the cities. Some of the roles that age-grades carry out in community development include, fund raising for development projects, conception, mobilization and implementation of self-help projects, conflict resolution, assisting the less privileged, and encouraging illustrious sons and daughters to bring their investments home. Some of the challenges confronting age-grades include, religious bias, poor funding, abandoned projects, poor leadership, division and lack of unity. Based on these findings, the study recommends amongst others that government should endeavor to partner with age-grades to promote community development. Also, traditional rulers should create awareness on the positive roles of the age-grade in development.

Reviving BaTonga culture to support community development: A case of Zambezi Valley communities, Zimbabwe

The Tonga culture in the Zambezi Valley has lost some value due to various driving factors which speeded the atomisation of culture amongst BaTonga people in North-Western Zimbabwe. The main thrust of the paper is to identify major causes of cultural decay in the Zambezi Valley communities, assess the impact of cultural decay and suggest solutions that are aimed at preservation of BaTonga culture in ways that promote community development This study was carried out in the Zambezi Valley communities of Binga, Nyaminyami, and Hwange with a sample size of 30 people targeting Tonga people. Mixed methods and simple statistics were used to quantify the data collected during the research. Ethically, local leadership (chiefs and village heads), heads of departments in the districts were consulted to seek permission to carry out the research. The key informants and focussed group discussion participants were carefully selected to include old men and women who were displaced from Zambezi River during the construction of the Kariba dam in 1950’s as well as group of able-bodied men, women and youth to obtain detailed information on the phenomenon which is under review. The need for this research therefore arose due to unbridled increase in disappearance of cultural values and norms among BaTonga people along Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe. How to cite this article using ASWNet style Muntanga W. (2023). Reviving BaTonga culture to support community development. A case of Zambezi Valley communities, Zimbabwe. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(4), 121-126. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i4.4 Visit journal website: https://jda.africasocialwork.net

Coping Strategies of Feminine Peasant Networks and Social Protection (SP): The case of Village Community Networks (VCONEs) in Tanzania

Networking among African women has become one of the community-centered strategies to deal with the shortfalls of the market. VCONEs, as self-created women's networks, provide informal social protection (SP) to marginalized communities because they have taken on board the local context. VCONEs have created a platform that accommodates women's context-specific needs and interests. Accordingly, the study employed an exploratory longitudinal action research design and an embedded multiple-case study research method to explore the coping strategies of Village Community Networks (VCONEs) as a new form of self-created women's networks in providing SP and promoting community development in Tanzania. VCONEs have emerged following the market's and the government's failures to reach marginalized people. The findings indicate that VCONEs have developed replicable context-specific coping strategies to cope with the contingencies of the patriarchy and the market economy. The coping strategies can be replicated elsewhere to create a relatively similar impact in other communities. Overall, there is a need for a major structural change in existing social protection systems. Development agencies should avoid implementing social protection schemes that instil over-dependency on marginalized people on external resources. Specifically, development agencies should adopt a "VCONE cash transfer" to be disbursed as a one-time cash transfer to successful VCONEs

Positive mental health level of outpatients in community centers according to socio-demographic variables in Arequipa, Peru

Positive mental health is a state of mental health, which supports people in face of different difficulties, enabling them to identify their social skills, with the aim of being more productive, emotionally stable and proactive, and helping and promoting community development. Objective: We analyzed the positive mental health level of outpatients according to socio-demographic variables in community mental health centers in Arequipa, Peru. Methods: Descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study; 1440 outpatients from community health centers over the age of 18 participated. The Lluch Positive Mental Health Scale, which was verified by Calizaya et al. for Peru, was applied, taking into account adaptability, personal satisfaction-autonomy and frustration tolerance. Results: The general level of PMH in the patients was the medium level (89.2%); in the adaptability dimension (F1), the level was high (73.1%). However, the levels of satisfaction and personal autonomy (F2) and tolerance to frustration (F3) were low, 88.5% and 86.0%, respectively. There was no difference in PMH between female and male patients, nor by diagnosis of any disease (p > 0.05). However, due to the educational level (p < 0.05), patients with a higher educational level obtained higher scores. Likewise, older adults and those who are married, dependent workers, and residents of residential areas presented higher PMH levels than the other comparison groups. Conclusion: Outpatients who used the services provided by mental health centers showed a moderate level of positive mental health, as well as the ability to adapt to unfavorable situations. However, they presented problems in personal satisfaction and autonomy, as well as in frustration tolerance.

Insights into Significant Contribution by Local Government toward Community Development in the Bahawalpur Division

This research investigates the role of local government institutions in promoting community development in Bahawalpur division from 2001 to 2018. The provision of municipal amenities is crucial for community growth, and local governments are expected to play a significant role in enhancing social, political, and cultural development. However, financial constraints, lack of education, community participation, and infrastructural development hinder their effective functioning. The study used statistical sampling techniques and analyzed the data using regression, and correlation analysis. The results show a positive trend in the contribution of local government towards community development, with a significant positive relation between the local government budget, community participation, education level, and infrastructure development. The study suggests that local governments should prioritize allocating sufficient budgets for community development programs and encourage community engagement in decision-making processes. Overall, the study highlights the significance of local government institutions in promoting community development in Bahawalpur division.

Asset-based community development approaches to resilience among refugees and recent migrant communities in Australia: a scoping review

PurposeResilience is an increasingly important concept that contributes to sustainability and wellbeing of a community. Asset-based community development (ABCD) may offer promising approaches to boosting community resilience in Australia, especially within marginalised groups.Design/methodology/approachA scoping review was conducted to conceptualise existing literature on ABCD approaches to building resilience. Research databases were searched with relevant details.FindingsThirty-three sources were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in terms of six themes: integration and identity, health, mental health, education, employment and community planning. Issues identified by the literature within these themes can be alleviated through asset-based approaches. Implications for planning of asset-based programs and policy change are discussed in light of the findings.Practical implicationsThe results of this study provide several implications for practise, policy recommendations and future research into this area. Results suggest that increasing capacity around asset-based coping mechanisms, such as support networks through religious and cultural groups, would promote community development and foster resilience. Furthermore, policy on refugees in multiple areas, such as psychological service provision and employment, should be redesigned in a way that acknowledges their complex and diverse needs and facilitates their integration into the community. Though multiple ways to achieve this goal have been explored in literature, a sustained and broader approach is necessary to see widespread change. Further research and funding are required to explore and implement appropriate responses. Based on the findings and discussion above, the authors make the following policy recommendations. Service providers need to be aware of and incorporate culturally appropriate programs in the areas of mental health assessment and intervention, education and employment. The trauma-informed approach should be used when dealing with refugee groups and other groups who have faced hardships. Government policy should focus on improving community engagement to create and strengthen social networks, which are vital in boosting integration into the community and increasing health education and access to services. Government should focus on asset-based approaches in designing education and employment integration programs to promote social belonging and community engagement, and thus, community resilience, which will consequently have beneficial individual and group outcomes. The current governmental policy surrounding refugees should be overhauled with the goal of successful refugee integration in mind, such as incorporating the ability for refugees to access vital services such as employment and skills transferability programs. Due to current policy, these services are inaccessible to a large portion of refugees, hindering their integration. Government needs to create specific guidelines for the provision of psychological services to refugees to improve the quality of mental health services available to this group.Originality/valueThis paper comprises an original data analysis of the relevant existing literature by the project team. The process was rigorous, and no content of the analysis has been published previously except the material published by other authors. All previously published materials were duly acknowledged.

The role of urban regeneration to improve community development in a metropolitan municipality

Background: The purpose of this article was to explore the role of urban regeneration to improve community development in a metropolitan municipality. This is important in light of the current strenuous socioeconomic situation, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Some of the pandemic’s consequences on communities include socioeconomic challenges, loss of income, business disruption and health concerns. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the different mechanisms government uses to promote community development, and one of these mechanisms is urban regeneration.Aim: The study aims to establish whether urban regeneration can be used as a mechanism to promote community development.Setting: The article is based on South African metropolitan municipalities, mainly the three biggest municipalities in the country. These municipalities include the City of Johannesburg, the City of Cape Town and the eThekwini municipality.Methods: This research is based on unobtrusive qualitative research techniques or methods in order to collect and analyse information. The techniques used include conceptual, content, documentary and comparative analysis. Therefore, the contents and information used were collected from various secondary sources such as journal articles, books and government documents such as White Papers. In addition, political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal analytical framework is also used.Results: Urban regeneration is not a new phenomenon in South Africa; however, the mechanism is not fully embraced by municipalities in the country. The practice of both urban regeneration and community development goes hand in hand. Different metropolitan municipalities in the country have developed plans to incorporate urban regeneration as part of their community development programmes. Community development and urban regeneration are implemented in South Africa under different developmental policies. However, it is the sole mandate of the local government (municipalities) to promote this programme in their communities. The study also found that urban regeneration was also impacted both positively and negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic. The negative impact of COVID-19 is that various projects were postponed in order to redirect resources towards the COVID-19 response. Some of the projects affected municipal infrastructure grants to provide water to households and sanitise public transport facilities in municipalities that do not receive the public transport network grant. South African metropolitan municipalities lack a common shared plan on urban regeneration and community development.Conclusion: The main finding of this research study is that there is no concrete plan put in place to promote urban regeneration in municipalities. Hence, the study recommended that in conjunction with the national government, local levels should develop such a plan.Contribution: This research study will contribute to the decision-making process in local government. The research will also contribute to policy development and design on the topic of urban regeneration and community development.

Entre la esperanza y la desconfianza: la participación en la Cruzada Nacional contra el Hambre

In Mexico, during the six-year period 2012-2018, the main social policy was implemented through the National Crusade against Hunger (CNcH), where social participation was considered the central way to promote community development. It was intended that this, through community committees, would strengthen and ensure the active and constant involvement of citizens; however, this did not necessarily happen. The main objective of this study is therefore to determine what encourages or limits people's participation in the social policy; studying the community committees set up to implement the CNcH, and taking as a case study its application in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

A Summary of Social Work Intervention Residents' Participation in Community Governance

With the deepening of social system reform in China, community governance has become an important part of the current reform. The degree of community residents participating in community governance is of great significance to community construction. Therefore, establishing the dominant position of community residents and enhancing their sense of belonging in the community can better promote residents' participation and promote community development. However, social workers play an important role in the process of promoting residents' participation. When social work is gradually promoted into communities, how social workers use their professional knowledge to let community residents understand community governance and how to promote residents' participation in community governance have also become issues studied by academic circles. This paper reviews the current situation of residents' participation and social work intervention in residents' participation in community governance, so as to promote social work to play its unique advantages in community governance.

The association among neighborhood mutual support, well-being, and social work

SummaryWith the increase in urbanization in China, people's neighborhood has an important influence on their well-being. This study aims to explore the impact of neighborhood mutual support on well-being from the perspective of social work. A total of 13,486 samples from the 2016 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey were utilized. The data were analyzed by the ordered logit model and propensity score matching while controlling for individual, family, and socioeconomic features.Findings(1) The more the neighborhood mutual support, the higher individuals' degree of well-being; this conclusion is robust. 2) Neighborhood mutual support has a larger improvement effect on the well-being of groups with low social status. (3) Neighborhood mutual support improves well-being through two mechanisms: it can grow an individual's support network, helping them obtain more material support, and it enhances individuals' integration into society, improving their well-being through increased feelings of community security. (4) The influence of neighborhood mutual support is weakened when a community has formal social support (full-time social workers) because individuals can resolve their problems through formal social support, reducing their reliance on neighbors.ApplicationsBased on the perspective of community development, understanding the influence of neighborhood mutual support on well-being is important. Social workers should adopt different intervention approaches according to characteristics of different groups to improve residents' level of neighborhood mutual support. Moreover, to promote community development, the government should consider arranging social work for less-developed communities.

Mejkers pokret kao zajednice koje uče tokom pandemije kovid-19 u kontekstu visokog obrazovanja

Global movements for the exchange of knowledge and skills such as makerspaces have led to the establishment of networks of local initiatives for learning communities. This paper aims to examine attitudes to the maker movement in the context of higher education during the Covid-19 crisis, as its informal structure, as well as the values that underpin it, can provide a faster and specific response to unpredictable situations. The paper reviews scholarly papers and news items about makerspaces at universities dealing with the higher education response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The results suggest that the study of learning communities' response to the crisis is significant from the perspective of learning how to overcome future crises. Experimenting with approaches using local resources as well as global knowledge and experience, which must be open and accessible, contributes to global initiatives and movements for the exchange, but also the creation of knowledge in communities, promoting community development through educational innovations.

Community development as a key element in social work education and practice in Spain

Abstract Social work has always recognized the importance of community development as a key element in intervention and social change. Even so, the neoliberal context currently affecting the reality of most of the countries in the Global North is directly influencing the weakening of community actions and is reinforcing more individualistic positions. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the extent to which neoliberal policies are impacting on the teaching of community development content on social work programs in Spain and to study the impact of this reality on the implementation of community plans and projects in Catalonia. The methodology used was qualitative and was based on a systematic review of institutional documentation, community programs and specialized literature. Likewise, the study plans of the 32 universities currently teaching the social work degree in Spain were carefully reviewed to identify and analyze the subjects that focus their primary content on community development. We highlight the purpose of public and private institutions to maintain and promote community development plans and programs and the need to broaden and promote the community development approach in social work study plans. Finally, we present recommendations on how to promote social intervention and community development as key elements in both the training and practice of the social work profession.

Economic significance of wild bioresources to rural communities in the Eastern Himalayan state of Assam, Northeast India

Wild bioresources are indispensable for the survival and sustenance of ethnic and rural communities, especially those of Northeast (NE) India which has a rich heritage of indigenous traditional knowledge on biodiversity and bioresources. This study investigates the trade of wild bioresources throughout the Eastern Himalayan state of Assam along with the socioeconomic attributes of the communities involved in the trade system. Surveys and interviews were executed in local markets and village households. Interviews were carried out with vendors and consumers in 30 weekly markets, and with household heads in 550 households using open-ended structured questionnaires. A systematic database on species diversity, distribution, use pattern, availability, local market economics and community details was assembled, from which standard values of commodities were computed to facilitate uniformity of market values. The study recorded 5 species of wild edible mushrooms, 158 species of wild plants and 11 species of animals available in local markets. Among these 78.7% are consumed as food, while 77 of the total species are medicinal. In some markets, products of species like Amaurornis phoenicurus, Canarium strictum, Elaeocarpus ganitrus, Hystrix indica, Lentinus polychrous, L. squarrosulus, Ocimum basilicum, Piper longum and Termitomyces sp., were sold at a high price of 6.5–65 USD/kg. It was observed that trading wild bioresources contributes 5–75% to the total income at a majority of the households. The present study highlights that wild bioresources are indeed significant for the subsistence of rural communities in Assam, with the potential of improving local economies and promoting community development. Through effective policies and conservation strategies, local communities should be encouraged and empowered to sustainably manage biodiversity and bioresources in the wake of climate change.