Socio-Economic Conditions of the Fringe Villagers of Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Assam

A survey of 100 fringe villagers around Kaziranga National Park, Assam, revealed that these communities rely primarily on agriculture and animal husbandry for livelihood, with small landholdings (up to 5 bighas) and medium herd sizes (3.08–5.24 cattle units). Most respondents were middle-aged (31–47 years), belonged to scheduled tribes (32%), and had nuclear families of average size (five members). Educational attainment was limited, with primary school being the highest level for many, while social participation was notably low at 8%. The study also found a medium level of experience in agriculture and livestock but a low exposure to mass media (48%). Annual income from all sources and livestock was moderate. This research highlights the socio-economic challenges faced by fringe villagers, including limited education, low social engagement, and dependence on traditional livelihoods, which may impact conservation efforts in UNESCO-listed Kaziranga National Park.

Borah, B., Borgohain, A., Khuman, L. S., Bordoloi, G., Dewri, R., Kalita, M., & J. Dutta, K. (2018). Socio-Economic Conditions of the Fringe Villagers of Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Assam. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 7(05), 2530–2536. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.705.291