Sustainability-Study on Environment-Friendly Women Entrepreneurship in Murshidabad District

Abstract

This study examines how women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) utilize indigenous resources for environmentally sustainable entrepreneurship, despite socio-economic challenges in rural India, with a focus on Murshidabad district. Since the launch of the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) in 1980 and its transformation into the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in 2015, SHGs have played a crucial role in empowering marginalized women through financial inclusion, skill development, and access to credit. This micro-level research explores how SHGs, particularly in six Gram Panchayats, foster eco-friendly businesses by leveraging local knowledge and resources, such as jute and mango production, to drive sustainable development. The study is grounded in Max Weber's Social Action Theory, emphasizing the goal-rational actions taken by women in SHGs to create sustainable businesses that align with environmental and economic sustainability goals. The findings reveal that SHG-induced entrepreneurship not only promotes women’s empowerment but also contributes to green finance, enhancing rural development in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable way. Through primary data analysis, the study highlights the positive impact of SHG participation on overcoming socio-economic constraints and developing sustainable enterprises. The use of indigenous resources and grassroots mobilization supports both current and future environmental sustainability, offering a model for green development and poverty alleviation in rural India.