TITLE:
Living on the Edge: Navigating Resource Management Challenges in the Villages of Ajodhya Hill, West Bengal
AUTHORS:
Arindam Sarkar, Shreya Basak, Olivia Halder, Shreya Jana, Manisa Mondal, Ankita Bhowal
KEYWORDS:
Sustainability, Resilience, Livelihoods, Scarcity, Adaptation, Governance
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.5,
May
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: The Ajodhya Hill region, part of the Chhotanagpur plateau in West Bengal, features a rugged landscape and a subsistence economy reliant on forest resources. This study employs primary data gathered through household surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with local villagers and officials to analyze resource management challenges in Ajodhya Hill. The area, home to Scheduled Tribe communities such as the Santal and Munda, contains significant natural resources that provide essential ecosystem services for tribal livelihoods. Due to seasonal rainfall and dry spells, rainwater collection is crucial for water security, as the region experiences rapid runoff and limited water retention. Traditional water purification methods are vital, and indigenous tools support local agriculture. Groundwater extraction has become problematic as surface water sources decline due to unpredictable rainfall and deforestation, a trend exacerbated by development initiatives. Soil erosion poses a significant environmental challenge, especially where unsustainable agricultural practices impact the delicate landscape. The research suggests sustainable pathways, including integrated watershed development, participatory forest management, livelihood diversification, and eco-tourism initiatives.