An Assessment of the Downstream Effect of Dams on Livelihood Vulnerability of Riparian Dwellers: A Case of Mukutmanipur Dam, Kangsabati River, Eastern India

The present study investigates the downstream impacts of Mukutmanipur dam on livelihood vulnerability by using the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) based on 7 components and 26 sub-components. Stratified random sampling together with purposive sampling methods has been used to collect primary data on the components. Information on socio-demographic profile of selected 367 sample households were collected together with data on livelihood strategies, water, health, food, social networks and natural disaster status. The contributing factors (exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity) were integrated to estimate the livelihood vulnerability index using LVI-IPCC approaches. For assessing the livelihood vulnerability index, the stretch of the river channel under investigation has been divided into 24 equal segments using 25 cross sections. Morphological changes in each of these segments have been assessed and on the basis of the intensity of morphological changes the segments have been grouped into three morphological change areas i.e. high, moderate and low. Results suggest that people living in areas of the high intensity of morphological change (LVI: 0.407) are more vulnerable to livelihood uncertainties than those living in areas of moderate (LVI: 0.341) and low intensity of morphological change (LVI: 0291). This study recommends that special emphasize should be given to peoples in the vulnerable areas on the implementation of various government and non-government scheme for the betterment of their lives and livelihoods.