Livelihood dynamics in a mountain ecosystem: A case of lachung valley, Sikkim Himalaya

Livelihood has always been a function of choices available and peoples’ responses. The assets/capital available to them in turn affect the choices. The responses to the choices fall under the larger spectrum of adaptability. There exit complex dynamics in terms of assets availability and peoples’ responses. Classifying these assets in understanding the dynamics of livelihood change is important for analyzing its problems and prospects. The paper is an attempt to understand the issues of livelihood adaptability in Lachung valley. Different indicators of livelihood capital have been fixed and based on the assets available using rank method, the levels of adaptability of individual villages have been drawn out.