Sustainable Livelihood Strategies and Options

Livelihood strategies can be defined as increased well-being, reduced vulnerability, improved food security and more sustainable use of natural resources base. It largely depends on the availability of livelihood assets/capitals – natural, human, financial, physical, and social. Vulnerability context – shocks, trends and seasonality; and institutional and policy context are the other aspects of livelihood strategies. A sustainable livelihood is a situation, where all these aspects are controlled and they have great potential to future livelihood sustainability. In this monograph, we studied 'sustainable livelihood strategies and options in the Upper Minjiang River Basin, Sichuan Province, China'. The sustainable livelihood approach context was applied and livelihood assets/capitals of the three villages were assessed. This region is very rich in ecological services - land, water and air. Forest resources are abundant. If these natural resources are harnessed optimally, livelihood sustainability can be attended. This study is useful to all stakeholders - policy makers, academicians, researchers and farmers.