Resilience and adaption strategies of sustainable livelihood in Gopal Nagar, West Bengal
Student name: Ms Twinkle Roy
Guide: Dr Nirupam Datta
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: TERI School of Advanced Studies
Abstract: The thesis aims on using the aspects of Sustainable Livelihood Approach to understand the
resource displacement development in in the small village of Gopal Nagar, located in 24 South
Paraganas, West Bengal. With the help of Jayshree Foundation, a subsidiary of Birla Group of
Companies, a concept of “model village†with solar electrification, digital education, shola pith
work and a sanitary napkin production unit solely managed by women has been established.
The aim of the thesis is to analyze the indices measuring long term livelihood security using
environmental, economic and social indicators. The primary research question seeks to
establish the major economic activities undertaken by the people in Gopal Nagar. The second
question would extrapolate whether resources are constrained by the institution and how the
local realities pressures on social sustainability of natural and human capital. The third question
would argue on the whether disposal of resources used in the Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) by Jayshree Foundation are sufficient or efficient? This would help analyze a potential
risks included in livelihood development initiative for the affected population. The last research
question would study the impact of ethnographic transition if any after the intrusion of CSR
activity and how has it impacted in livelihood strategies of Gopal Nagar. The study would be
conducted in four stages. The first stage would be to analyse the ethnographic realusty of the
area which would help in understanding the values, belief system and ideations. The second
stage would have semi structured interviews conducted in Gopal Nagar to help understand the
preexisting livelihood assets. The third stage would help understand the transforming structures
via (Sustainable livelihood security Index) SLSI framework, an analytical framework
developed by MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) (Foundation, 1993). The SLSI
framework would cover Ecological Security Index, Economic Efficiency Index and Social
Equity Index. The secondary data for this would be obtained from the CSR counterpart of
Jayshree Foundation – Advait Foundation. This would help understand the concept of a model
village created as a part of CSR activity and facilitate whether CSR activities drawn in this
direction would cater as a holistic tool in promoting a long term livelihood opportunity for the
people in rural areas with resource sufficiency and efficiency or either of the two
