• google scholor

  • Views: 240

  • PDF Downloads: 27

The Changing Perspective of Livelihood in Rural Society and the Role of NGOs in Livelihood Diversification: A Case Study of Chamoli’s Agrarian Communities

Roosen Kumar1 , Shri Ram Singh2 * and Mohan Lal Meena2

1 Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, India

2 School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Corresponding author Email: Rshriram3@gmail.com

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.20.2.29

This study examines the evolving livelihood patterns in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, and evaluates the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in facilitating rural transformation in mountain communities. Using a mixed-method approach, primary data were collected from 100 households across two blocks through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The research reveals a shift from traditional agriculture-based livelihoods, with households dependent solely on agriculture declining from 58 % to 23 % over the past decade. Currently, 67% of households engage in multiple income-generating activities, demonstrating significant diversification of their livelihood strategies. NGO interventions have been instrumental in this transformation. The majority of households, 52 % of households have benefited from various programs. Skill development training reached 73 % of the beneficiaries among the surveyed population. The mean monthly household income stands at INR 22,350, with educated households showing significantly higher diversification rates. Key challenges include limited market access, insufficient technical knowledge, and climate change impacts. The study recommends enhanced coordination between NGOs and government agencies, improved market linkages, and climate-resilient livelihood strategies for sustainable mountain development. These findings contribute valuable insights for designing effective development interventions in similar mountain regions.

Climate; Livelihood; NGOs; Rural development; Sustainable livelihoods

Copy the following to cite this article:

Kumar R, Singh S. R, Meena M. L. The Changing Perspective of Livelihood in Rural Society and the Role of NGOs in Livelihood Diversification: A Case Study of Chamoli’s Agrarian Communities. Curr World Environ 2025;20(2). DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.20.2.29

Copy the following to cite this URL:

Kumar R, Singh S. R, Meena M. L. The Changing Perspective of Livelihood in Rural Society and the Role of NGOs in Livelihood Diversification: A Case Study of Chamoli’s Agrarian Communities. Curr World Environ 2025;20(2).

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.