Livelihood and Rural Development: A Case Study of the Missing Tribe in Sissi Tongani, Assam

Abstract

The research is an attempt to study the livelihood pattern of the Mising tribe in Sissi Tongani, Assam. In the context of rural development, the study explores the nature of livelihood diversification and development trends in the purview of women’s work, role and significance of common property resource, social capital and rural migration. For the purpose of the study, the researcher adopted mixed method. The key findings of the study illustrate evidence of diversified livelihood strategy. However, diversification of livelihood strategy essentially is not a preferred choice, but a necessity for sustaining households’ end needs. Rural out-migration of labour force is an identical shift in the livelihood pattern of the village. Women’s work in livelihood enhancement includes both productive and reproductive role. The study explores the drastic shrunk of common property resource which in the hitherto was a significant livelihood source for fishing, firewood and water. Nonetheless, the existence of various traditional practice of shared communitarian life in the village enhances a positive impact of social capital for livelihood enhancement. As a macro policy recommendation, the study has optimistic insights on an efficient, transparent and accountable functioning of the PRI in the village.