Changes in land use and livelihoods in peri urban areas of Gurugram: a case study of Bandhwari Village
Student name: Ms Nagina Chawla
Guide: Dr Bhawna Bali
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: TERI School of Advanced Studies
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Bhawna Bali
Abstract: The phenomenon of urbanisation has been on the forefront specially in developing
countries like India. One of the noteworthy cases of phenomenal development in
India has been that of Gurugram district which has witnessed remarkable
economic growth owing to industrialization, liberalization and the state
government initiatives in particular. The city of Gurugram has emerged as a center
of rapid development in the district and continues to be in a dynamic state of
transition, incorporating a number of villages within its administrative limits. The
process of urbanisation of the city of Gurugram has manifested itself in various
ways in the peri-urban areas of the city.
The study focuses on impact of change in land use, due to land acquisition and
sale of individual land parcels, on livelihoods in Bandhwari village located in the
PUI of Gurugram. The present work is based on both qualitative and quantitative
research methods. A comprehensive range of secondary data is collected from
published records of CoI and MOSPI and unpublished village records of Khasra
Girdhavri and Jamabandi. Primary data was sourced from surveys conducted at
HH level and structured and unstructured interviews carried out with concerned
stakeholders. The study collates and analyses primary and secondary data in line
with the objectives and research questions of the study to assess the transformation
in livelihoods aligned with the SRLF.
The study suggests that limited access to livelihood resources, agriculturally unfit
land and land acquisitions by the government have directly as well as indirectly
impacted significantly the means of livelihood in the village. As a result,
Bandhwari Village which had been dependent on agriculture and allied activities
has gradually shifted from primary to tertiary activities while diversifying
livelihoods as a means of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Keywords: Peri urban interface, land use change, livelihood, Bandhwari, Gurugram
