A Study on Rural Livelihoods in Eastern Himalayas: Meghalaya

The paper has examined the issues of rural livelihood and diversification of livelihood in the eastern Himalayan villages. The livelihood of rural households has been discussed in terms of the existing assets — natural, physical human, financial and social capital — owned or accessed by individuals or households and also the existing social, institutional, political, economic, and environmental contexts including risk factors associated with maing a living. The data were collected through survey of 250 households in ten villages of East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya in 2009. The paper has provided a snapshot of the livelihood systems of rural people in this upland state where land ownership is still governed by the traditional and unwritten customary laws and much of the land is still owned by the community and clans. The study has revealed the importance of non-timber forests products in the livelihood of the rural people. It has also highlighted the traditional farming practices followed by the tribal households and the important food and cash crops grown by the tribal people of Assam. Considering the importance and availability of forest resources, the study has suggested that forest-based enterprises should be developed to enhance income and livelihood security in the area.