Household drivers of forest dependence for employment support among tribes of Jharkhand, India

This study investigated the household drivers of forest dependence for employment support among tribes of Bundu block in Ranchi, Jharkhand (India). Data were collected through structured interviews and non-participant observations administered to 164 households sampled using multi-stage random sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. Results indicated that fodder (34.04%) was the major forest-based employment source followed by fuel wood (24.38%), paid employment (18.31%), cottage industry (16.49%), tooth brush (3.00%), fruit (1.63%), mahua (Madhuca latifolia) flower (0.75%), vegetables (0.57%), oilseeds (0.47%), ethno-medicines (0.20%) and timber (0.17%). Average forest-based employment accrued to the tribal household was 108.23 man-days annum⁻¹. Regression analysis revealed that education, land holding, gross annual income, proximity to the forest, forest visit and forestry resources possession significantly influenced forest dependence for employment support and the R² (0.786) indicated that 78.60% of the variation in the forest-based employment was explained by the household drivers. The findings and perspective of the study could be crucial bases in planning and administration of strategies for sustainable management of the forest resources and improvement in forest-based employment opportunities for livelihood security and socioeconomic development of the tribal people in the locality.