Forestry-based livelihood diversification strategy for socio-economic development of tribes in Jharkhand^§

To evolve a region-specific forestry-based livelihood diversification strategy for livelihood security and ecological stability, the paper has studied socioeconomic-cum-demographic aspects (population, caste profile, sex ratio, income profile, manpower potential, occupational status, etc.) and natural resource scenario (land-use pattern, forest, soils, etc.) of Bundu block in Ranchi district of Jharkhand. The study has suggested eco-friendly livelihood options like tasar sericulture, lac culture, fruit culture and mechanized sal leaf plate making to develop a precise, region-specific livelihood diversification strategy for socioeconomic development of tribal people. The income and employment opportunities expected from the interventions per annum are: tasar sericulture ( 54.16 lakh, 21100 person-days), lac culture ( 36.88 lakh, 8790 person-days), fruit culture ( 63.58 lakh, 19180 person-days) and mechanized sal leaf plate making ( 40.26 lakh, 36900 person-days). The proposed strategy is likely to yield an income of 194.88 lakh/annum and employment potential of 85970 person-days/annum besides securing the basic needs by mobilizing the existing natural resources. The financial viability of proposed interventions have been worked out by intricate economic calculations of NPV, BCR and IRR. The study has shown that shifting of excessive livelihoods pressure from the existing forest to the proposed strategy would develop sustainable livelihood opportunities for the tribes, reinforce the forest conservation, wastelands reclamation, carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation in the area.