Published Paper Details:

Jamaldaha Gram Panchayat, situated within Mekliganj Panchayat Samiti of Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, is home to 34 villages predominantly inhabited by the Rajbanshi community. This rural society, with a rich cultural and agricultural legacy, has undergone significant socio-economic and environmental transformations. Traditionally reliant on crops such as Pure breed Rice, Wheat, Mustard, Bamboo, Betel nut, and Jute, the community has shifted toward modern cash crops like High yielding Paddy, Tea and Potatoes, driven by market demands and technological advancements. This transition has had profound implications on their socio-economic structures, environmental sustainability, and cultural practices. The introduction of modern cultivation methods, chemical fertilizers, and hybrid seeds has resulted in soil degradation, water scarcity, and a decline in biodiversity. Sacred bamboo groves, a cultural hallmark, and traditional sustainable practices such as the Hauli system have largely disappeared, disrupting the community's cohesion and environmental balance. Economic disparities have widened as wealthier entrepreneurs dominate the agricultural landscape, leaving small landholders dependent and vulnerable. Environmental impacts include groundwater depletion, soil erosion, and contamination from unregulated use of insecticides and herbicides. Furthermore, the eradication of weeds, many with potential medicinal and genetic value, poses a significant risk to ecological and agricultural resilience. Despite short-term economic gains, these changes have threatened the region's long-term sustainability. To address these challenges, this study advocates for the integration of indigenous knowledge with modern practices, the promotion of traditional crop cultivation, and the regulation of chemical usage. Conservation of biodiversity and equitable socio-economic measures are essential to restore balance and ensure sustainable development for the Rajbanshi community.