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| Saturday, 2 October 2004 |
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Holistic approach to rural development In Search of Sustainable Livelihood Systems - Managing Resources and Change Edited by Ruedi Baumgartner and Ruedi Hogger Published by Sage Publications, New Delhi ( www.indiasage.com ) Sustainable land use and sustainable natural resource management are two major issues that governments and decision makers always focus on, in their various agendas to address the woes of the rural population. In reality, the picture is quite different. Often this focus doesn't go far enough and at the end of the day, the issue remains unresolved. Having considered these issues, the two authors of this publication try to adopt a holistic approach to understanding rural livelihood systems. Their base is our neighbour India; and the contributions in this are based on the Indian experience. They maintain that a livelihood system embraces not just the economic conditions for physical subsistence, but all the elements that provide material continuity and cultural meaning to the life of a family or a community. In this framework, the contributors explore and analyse a diverse range of rural livelihood systems bases on fieldwork in a variety of contexts. The core of the book is about rural livelihood systems with a focus on change and managing natural resources. The authors' assumption is that effective rural development support must take the diversity of rural livelihoods into account. Effective rural development is, finally, the outcome of a productive interaction with the livelihood strategies of the rural people. The authors have chosen to discuss the topic 'Rural Livelihood in Transition' in the books introduction. It basically discusses the origins and objectives of the rural livelihood research project such as poverty paradigms, diversity of livelihood approaches in rural development and project rationality versus livelihood reasoning. The contents of the publication have been divided into five segments. The third segment speaks much about the gender and leadership for sustainable natural resource management. And the fifth segment is all about putting the research findings into practice. Apart from the two chief editors, several other contributors have contributed articles on various topics related to the core theme. For instance, in one interesting article, an author investigates the relationship between rural livelihood systems and natural resource management. Another author proposes an innovative approach titled Rural Livelihood 'mandala' for a holistic investigation into rural livelihood systems and strategies. Another links reforms at a macro level with rural economies at the household level. The book also addresses a number of other pertinent issues including village leadership, occupational diversification, technology management and non-economic motivations for resource management. Some of the views and opinions presented in this publication, are relevant to the local experience, and Sri Lanka also encounters problems and challenges as discussed here. The editors of the publication Ruedi Baumgartner and Ruedi Hogger are involved in co-direction, consultation and research of various programs and projects in Switzerland. Their attempt to highlight the sustainable livelihood systems, has no doubt been a painstaking effort which is a worthy experience. Editors hope that some of the insights will encourage others to explore the micro universe of rural livelihood systems and carry on their practical development activities in tune with the vigorous pulse of these teams. (CJ) |
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