Measuring Livelihood Sustainability by PCA in Indian Sundarban

Sustainable livelihoods can cope with and recover from stress and can maintain or improve its resources and properties. We have adopted an integrated approach to measure livelihood sustainability for Indian Sundarban through the composite livelihood sustainability index incorporating natural, human, physical, and socio-economic dimensions. Principal component analysis (PCA) is a systematic and reliable quantitative method for measuring composite score. The livelihood sustainability performances of 19 blocks of Sundarban are measured, benchmarked, and ranked. PCA-based CLSI acts as a comprehensive analytical method for evaluating the spatial variation and indicator of strength and weakness in livelihood sustainability. Moreover, it may assist local authorities in implementing any policy or project more feasibly to ensure livelihood sustainability in the study area.