Roots and Routes: Exploring Livelihood Diversification in a Tribal Village of Assam - The Case of Dikchak village, Dimoria Block, Kamrup Metropolitan, Assam, India

This paper explores the changing livelihood patterns in Dikchak village, a tribal settlement in Dimoria Block of Kamrup (Metro), Assam. Predominantly inhabited by the Karbi community, the village reflects a shift from traditional subsistence agriculture to diversified livelihood strategies, including rubber plantations, livestock rearing, fish farming, and non-farm employment. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through focus group discussions and unstructured interviews. The findings highlight the importance of community-based initiatives such as shared farming, self-help groups, and informal education support in strengthening socio-economic resilience. Rubber cultivation emerges as a key livelihood option, supported by NGO and institutional interventions, though market dependency and land ownership challenges persist. The study also addresses the influence of modernization, gender roles, and environmental constraints. By documenting grassroots strategies in a tribal context, this research contributes to broader debates on rural development, agrarian change, and livelihood sustainability in Northeast India.