With the liberalization of the economy, India has become one of the fastest growing nations in the world. The rapid economic growth has also had a significant impact on the social front. Social indicators have improved. Literacy levels have risen, while morbidity and mortality rates have declined. India has improved its rank one notch in the Human Development Index (HDI) value in the United Nations' Development Programme Report for 2006. However, it is widely felt that the rate of social development needs to escalate and economic growth needs to be backed by sustainable development. A number of efforts initiated by government and non government agencies on this front are working towards sustainable development of communities and the environment.
The 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) moved the concept towards an action agenda, especially in the context of Agenda 21, and advocated the achievement of sustainable livelihoods as a broad goal for poverty eradication focussed on the poor who live in marginalized areas. Agenda 21 stated that sustainable livelihoods could serve as an integrating factor that allows policies to address development, sustainable resource management and poverty eradication simultaneously.
After decades of India’s fight against poverty, new ideas about development are emerging .CII and several other institutions in India are revising their development strategies and placing greater emphasis on the elimination of poverty. One of the key strategies which have been unfolded is the Sustainable livelihoods enhancement programme.The Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development and the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW) at Beijing underscored the significance of linkages between sustainability, employment, social integration, gender and poverty eradication for policy and development programming
Sustainable Livelihood Enhancement approaches in India stems from concerns about the effectiveness of development activity. Despite stated commitments to poverty reduction, the immediate focus of much government and private effort has been on resources and facilities (water, land, clinics, infrastructure) or on structures that provide services (education ministries, livestock, services, NGOs), rather than people themselves. The new Sustainable Livelihood Enhancement approaches place people firmly at the centre; the benchmark for their success is whether sustainable improvements in people’s livelihood have taken place. It is believed that this approach at refocusing on the poor will make significant difference to the achievement of poverty reduction goals.
The Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (MPRLP) is a classic example of a Sustainable Livelihood Enhancement project in India. This project has brought together the Indian Government, Indian Private Sector, International Donor Agencies and the Community together. The project seeks to encourage the poverty-ridden rural families especially in tribal regions to lead a decisive fight against poverty. The voluntary participation of the poor in decision making process relating to rural livelihoods initiatives has made a desirable impact on rural scenario. The increasing confidence of the poor people to overcome poverty is being harnessed constructively to promote joint actions against long existing rural poverty. The MPRLP has adopted a bottom-up approach to poverty reduction. The MPRLP has unrolled village-specific livelihoods promotion plans with active cooperation and support from the institution of Gram Sabha or Village Assembly, which holds constitutional status.. Close partnerships with targeted rural communities through Gram Sabhas, the administration, management and need-based utilization of Gram Kosh or Village Fund by the Gram Sabha have developed a profound understanding among the rural poor about various dimensions of the rural poverty. Strengthening of Gram Sabhas on all aspects of development planning and management of resources goes on simultaneously. The Project has made well-contemplated attempts to inspire and guide community-driven micro enterprises.
The Private-Public Partnership being promoted by CII for development of backward districts, the initiative being piloted in Dungarpur, Rajasthan is another classic example of the Sustainable Enhancement of Livelihoods. The project calls for pooling of strengths and convergence of business initiatives, development programmes and science and technology inputs. The industry and institutional partners under this initiative are PI Industries, BAIF, PEDO/ Jain Irrigation/Grundfos Pump, RSSC, ITC, ICRISAT, Microsoft, District Education Department, GOR, ITI, Titagarh Bio-Tech Pvt. Ltd, DST & District Administration. Another important aspect of the project is the Development of ICT material for educating farmers on improved agricultural techniques for major crops of the district. The project is aiming for the Integrated Development of the District with a Strong Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihood Enhancement of the community.
Sustainable Livelihood Enhancement is a key strategy for the overall economic and social development of the people below the Poverty Line. It also gives an opportunity for both the Public and the private sector in India to join hands and to ensure that there in an inclusive economic development in the country and the development is sustainable and equitable.
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