Changing Pattern of Rural Livelihood: A Case Study of Sungratsu Village, Mokokchung District, Nagaland

Diverse ways of life emerges out of intricate and symbiotic relationship between man and his environment and nowhere is this more apparent than in indigenous communities. The unique lifestyle of each Naga community arises out of their intimate relations with their land and utilisation of particular resources in their area which dictates their activities. Given the subsistence form of economy, the relationship between land and man has never been exploitative rather one of respect thereby conserving and maintaining the biodiversity of the ecosystem. However growing population pressure on land and gradual change in climate has necessitated change in the traditional economy particularly in agriculture to ensure food security. In addition the need to keep pace with the competitive global market has necessitated diversification of economic activities thus bringing change to their traditional pattern of livelihood. Transition from traditional lifestyle to modern and developmental induced activities have affected rural areas in various ways ultimately changing their lifestyle often resulting into undefined living pattern requiring keen research and analysis of the changing pattern in the state. In recent years, land based livelihoods of small and marginal farmers are increasingly becoming unsustainable, since their land has not been able to support the family�s food requirements and fodder for their domesticated animals. As a result, rural households are forced to look at alternative means for supplementing their livelihoods. Taking the various methodology the present research work aims to explore the traditional pattern of livelihoods and investigate the factors that led to the changing scenario of the aspects in Sungratsu village of Mokokchung district, Nagaland.