Limits of Growth
AGRICULTURE
dependence: In India, 70 per cent people depend on agriculture directly or indirectly.
threats: Around 130 million hectares (ha) of land is affected by serious soil erosion. Drought-prone areas have gone up from 55.3 million ha in 1974 to 74.6 million ha in 1995, according to the Planning Commission.
results: Agricultural yield is going down: the rate of growth of rural employment has come down from 2 per cent in 1992 to 0.58 in 2000.
FOREST
dependence: Non forest timber produce provide up to 50 per cent of the income to about 30 per cent of rural people, according to the Union ministry of environment and forests.
threats: Expanding government control and deforestation.
results: Nearly 400 million people are losing primary sources of livelihood. Food insecurity. Forest dwellers now becoming daily wage labourers in poverty alleviation programmes.
COMMON PROPERTY RESOURCES
dependence: 15 per cent of rural households rely on this pool of common resources, according to the NSSO. It contributes 3 per cent of the average consumption expenditure of a rural household.
threats: Declining both quantity and productivity-wise
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