A Perspective Study of Natural Resource Management and Its Major Impact on Rural Livelihood in Bahraich District, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Natural resource management (NRM) plays a pivotal role in shaping rural livelihoods, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions of India. This paper presents a perspective study of NRM interventions and their impact on rural livelihoods in Bahraich District, Uttar Pradesh—a region characterized by fertile riverine plains, significant forest cover, and predominantly agrarian communities. Through analysis of recent initiatives in solar-powered irrigation, community-based water management, organic input production, and digital market linkages, the study examines how integrated NRM approaches are transforming rural livelihoods. The findings reveal that collective action in water management has reduced farming costs, women's self-help groups have emerged as bio-input entrepreneurs, and technological platforms are creating new market opportunities. However, challenges persist regarding crop diversification away from water-intensive varieties, tenurial security in forest-fringe villages, and the scalability of successful interventions. The study concludes that participatory NRM, when combined with institutional support and technological innovation, can significantly enhance rural livelihood security while promoting environmental sustainability.