Self-Reliance (Atmanirbhar) and Sustainable Resource Management in India

Management of the environment, food security and poverty alleviation are main factors contributing to the complexity of natural resource management. Proper resource management is very important for a sustainable livelihood. Local-level development provides a major force in activating the utilization of local resources (land, water, labour) and therefore constitutes one of the most effective methods of promoting people’s participation in determining their own development. The concept of self-reliance is located centrally within the discourse of community development and is connected to related concepts like self-help, mutual-help, indigenous participation and rural development. It advocates the need for people to improve their condition using local initiatives and resources in their own hands. If we are looking at inclusive development, integrated development intervention, policy advocacy, research cannot be overlooked. The objective of holding this edited book is not only to provide a common academic platform for both young and senior researchers and scientists from geography and allied disciplines to deliberate, interact and exchange their ideas and views on the sustainable livelihood issues, but also to evolve feasible solutions for southern, central, western and north-eastern region of India. As regards the focal theme of the book, a comfortable balance among population, environment and development is necessary for attaining sustainable livelihood at all levels – local and national and also focus on self-reliance in India. This book provides a broad exposition of the trends and current practices of basic principles on sustainable resource management, agricultural practices and strengthens the understanding for its use to develop environmentally sustainable as well as balanced environments. The various chapters contain conceptual and empirical material from research conducted in various states of India.