An Exploratory Study on Sustainable Resource Management Practices Adopted by Rural Households in Ayodhya (U.P.)

Abstract

Sustainable resource management (SRM) is critical for ensuring the long-term welfare of rural households, which often depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. This study explores the SRM practices adopted by rural households and identifies challenges in the adoption of sustainable practices by analysing key areas like energy, water, waste management, agriculture land use, and livestock management. The present study was conducted in the villages Shivnath Pur and Sidhauna, from the Milkipur block, and Pithla and Bawan from the Amaniganj. block of the Ayodhya district. Thirty households from each village were randomly selected for the study. Thus, the total sample comprises 120 households. Primary data was collected from the head of the household using a structured Interview schedule.  Analysis of results reveals that 52.50 percent of households under study belonged to the lower socio-economic status. Major sustainable resource management practices adopted for energy conservation were using LPG stoves (100 Percent), and storage tanks (41.66 percent) were the most preferred practice for water conservation. Composting (50.00 percent) was a majorly adopted practice for waste management, soil testing (41.66 percent) for agricultural land use, and AI Breeding (51.66 percent) for livestock management. Insufficient access to financial support for sustainable practices (e.g., loans, subsidies) with a score of 2.70 and the high cost of adopting sustainable practices with a score of 2.61 were ranked I and II, respectively, as major challenges in the adoption of sustainable resource management practices