RURAL LIVELIHOOD TRANSITIONS THROUGH LAND USE CHANGE: EXAMINING CROP-TO-FISHERY CONVERSION IN PURBA MEDINIPUR, INDIA
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Abstract
The study discusses land use conversion of traditional farming to farming of fish in the coastal blocks of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. It identifies the socio-economic and environmental actions which are pushing this transition, which include market profitability, salinity intrusion, government subsidies, and a reduction in agricultural productivity. With secondary data, the study establishes that the most powerful emerging livelihood is aquaculture and its most practiced entities include shrimp farming and fresh water fish farming. The results represent the strategic response of local communities to environmental pressure and economic accommodation, but the change suggests, that sustainable practices of management will be necessary. The paper also highlights the need of policy support and ecological balance to be able to have long-term livelihood security and ecological resilience within the region.
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