Krishna Bahadur K.C.
Abstract
This study employed a combination of socioeconomic and spatial methodology to assess the rural resources and livelihood development strategies in the hills of Nepal. Socioeconomic data were collected through family survey from spatially randomly selected farm households and linked to GIS using family’s respective geographical position and spatial distributions were observed by interpolation. Biophysical conditions were assessed using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) technology. Both conditions were linked with each other and the relation between socioeconomic development and resource degradation was observed. Deforestations around high-income areas and near road and market center were less compared to low income areas and far from the road and market center. Spatial distribution of living standard parameters, including family income, food availability, dependencies on resources owners, shows a decreasing trend as the elevation increases. It was found living standard of the people was relatively better those occupied good quality agricultural land and situated near the road and market center as compared to those who occupied low quality agricultural land and situated far from the road and market centers. A multivariate regression model was run to assess association between socioeconomic and biophysical conditions by taking farm income as dependent variable and cost distance to the market and land quality as independent variable. Multivariate linear regression showed that cost distance to market and land quality indexes can explain the income potential of a farm in a given location. Future strategies of reducing cost distance to the market through road improvement and increasing the quality of land through soil and water management activities were found sustainable livelihood and resource use approaches.