Livelihood change and livelihood sustainability in the uplands of Lembang subwatershed, West Sumatra, Indonesia, in a changing natural resource management context |
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Authors: | Mahdi Shivakoti Ganesh P Schmidt-Vogt Dietrich |
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Institution: | (1) Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, Kampus Limau Manis Padang, West Sumatra, 25163, Indonesia;(2) Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand |
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Abstract: | This paper analyzes livelihood change and livelihood sustainability of households in the upland part of the Lembang subwatershed,
West Sumatra, in response to changes in the natural resource management context during the last decade. Using the sustainable
livelihood framework (SLF), we measured livelihood changes at two separate points in time, 1996 and 2006, and assessed their
environmental, economic, social, and institutional sustainability. We found that people with a low income had less access
to capital assets than people from middle- and high-income groups. Our analysis revealed, however, that access to capital
assets increased over time, and that poor households experienced economic improvement, indicating an overall increase in economic
sustainability. Environmental sustainability, however, is threatened by intensive agricultural practices such as high agrochemical
input and intensive soil tillage on steep slopes, leading to pollution and soil erosion. Social sustainability is also a matter
of concern: while social exclusion has been reduced, income inequity has increased. Institutional sustainability is likely
to remain uncertain, as local institutions for natural resource management are still weak, despite the fact that decentralization
has been implemented during the last 8 years. External facilitation is needed to improve the livelihood of upland people while,
at the same time, enhancing the sustainability of watershed management. Strengthening local institutions, conserving natural
resources, and promoting environmentally sound agricultural practices are the three most important policies to be promoted
within the watershed. |
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Keywords: | Livelihood change West Sumatra Access to capital asset Integrated watershed management Livelihood sustainability |
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