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Author:
Sanat Kumar Guchhait, Ananda Mohan Kar, Kumari Vibhuti Nayak, Birendra Suna, Shimul Roy, Md Hasanuzzaman
ProjectCo-Ordinator, Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal.

DOI: doi.org/10.58924/rjhss.v5.iss3.p3

Published Date: 28-Aug, 2026

Keywords: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG); Forest Dependency Index; Market Integration Index; Livelihood Diversification Index; Livelihood Transition.

Abstract:
The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Eastern India traditionally relied on forests for their subsistence, cultural identity and livelihood security. However, increasing market opportunities, infrastructure development and policy interventions are transforming traditional livelihood systems, giving rise to new economic opportunities as well as emerging vulnerabilities. However, the empirical evidenceshows a changing spectrum of forest interaction and clear spatial variability of livelihood transformation among PVTGs, though they are unable to avoid their marginality in social position. This study examines the transition of PVTGs in Eastern India from forest-based subsistence to market-oriented livelihoods. It isbased on a cross-sectional household survey of157 households from 14 villages from the scattered locations of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. The livelihood transformation was evaluated by three integrated indicators, namely, Forest Dependency Index (FDI), Market Integration Index (MII) and Livelihood Diversification Index (LDI). The proposed analytical framework provides a robust basis for assessing livelihood transitions and informing evidence-based policy for forest-dependent indigenous communities. Index measures thus show a different form of livelihood transition among the PVTGS of Eastern India. The high FDI in Jharkhand (0.682) confirms that forests are still the main source of food, income and subsistence security. The relatively lower FDI in West Bengal (0.289) shows a greater shift towards agriculture and non-forest income sources. The middle location of Odisha indicates a transition phase where the dependence on forest resources still exists together with emerging options for livelihood.

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