Question

Natural resources management and livelihood

Answer 1

One of the world’s biodiversity hotspot, the North East region (NER) of India, is bountifully endowed with rich minerals, forest wealth, wildlife, water resources, agro-biodiversity and rich traditional knowledge systems. However, the region is challenged with erratic climate variations, shrinking common resources including livelihoods, food and nutritional insecurities, and rising inequalities due to biodiversity destruction, human induced development, invasive technology and profit maximization. In this context, there is a growing threat to the NER’s unique ecosystem and the survival of communities living within it where particularly women’s vulnerabilities are increasing. NEN believes that conservation in isolation without community’s support is impractical. An optimal balance is sought between the practice of conservation and sustainable livelihood which endorses environment and cultural rights.