Participatory planning of a multi-ethnic village

Participatory planning of a multi-ethnic village

Subhankar Chhandogi

This study aimed to determine the bio-physical and socio-economic characteristics of the community, to determine the problems encountered by the community with emphasis on livestock, agriculture and livelihood and to recommend appropriate plans of action in addressing these problems. Several plans of action that were made and proposed included strengthening of the existing farmers’. The data collection techniques include the household survey with the help of schedule, focused and personal interview, participant’s observation, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, guided the field walks etc. Finally the data were processed and analysed categorically to arrive the conclusion. A small village Mahuatongri is situated in Angara block of Ranchi district of Jharkhand, total of 56 households are living in this village. The village needs to be developed on human capital, survival strategy, environmental protection, infrastructure development, improvement of health, education and human security, livelihood and social security as well as with the interest of government and the people’s participation to make a sustainable village development plan (VDP). The problems were identified for this from the discussions with the villagers. This study has tried to explore the linkages between subsistence the economy and utilization and conservation of natural resources among the Mahuatongri villagers. This plan also provide implementation as well as serving as a basis for determining the different changes or accomplishments to be made. The purpose of this Village Development Plan was to empower the community to have a clear understanding of their problems and realistic solutions to these problems.

Keywords: Village development plan, livelihood, social security, health, education and human security, people’s participation, Ranchi district.