Institutions for sustainable livelihoods in the forest fringes: Towards integration

Abstract

Natural resources of a socioecological system (SES) individually and collectively constitute the foundation of human sustenance and livelihood. Any activity in an SES is linked to others, as the same resources cater to all. This implies the need to adopt a systems approach to policies which are meant to reduce the socioecological footprint of our pursuits of sustenance and livelihood. In spite of policy statements with this intention and mandate, integrative actions to protect and maintain the rural resource base of its people's livelihoods are conspicuous by its absence in India.