Multidimensional Poverty and Tribal Livelihood Sustainability in Rural West Bengal, India: A Micro Level Analysis

Abstract

In this study 586 households have been surveyed to understand the condition of living and livelihood sustainability of the scheduled tribe population in selected villages in Bankura district. The study explores how the proximity of non-tribal population and the isolation of tribal population contribute to distinct scenarios of poverty within tribal life styles. Additionally, it investigates the interplay between poverty and sustainability of tribal livelihoods. To achieve its objectives, the study calculates two key indices for each selected village: the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and the Sustainable Livelihood Security Index (SLSI). Analysis of multidimensional poverty index value clarifies that more isolated tribal villages are more prone to multidimensional poverty as the highest and lowest values come up as 0.428 and 0.174. Both of the values are way over than the national MPI value of 0.123. MPI values of the surveyed villages have a strong positive relationship with LQ value of the villages with r² value of 0.533. However, these villages exhibit a positive situation regarding the sustainability in their livelihoods. MANOVA calculated for three indices of SLSI, are showing p value of 0.021, 0.003 and 0.058 for Ecological, economic and social dimension of livelihood respectively at 95% significance level. This analysis clarifies that both ecological and economic dimension have significant relationship with concentration of tribal population. In conclusion, the paper suggests that understanding the nuanced dynamics between poverty and sustainability of tribal livelihoods, effective strategies can be developed to uplift tribal population and foster long-term well-being.