Women’s livelihoods: emerging opportunities in forest economies of India

Abstract

This study looks at whether things have changed for women living in the forests of Jharkhand and Assam. It tries to map the relationship between the policy framework of the government for forest regions and its practical applicability. As an outcome of rigorous field research in the remote villages of the two states, the study reiterates that the role of women as economic agents and their contribution to the Gross National Product through agro forestry and by collecting a variety of non-timber forest produce deserve to be recognised in future policy framing exercises.