Rights-Based Approach to Land and Livelihoods: A Case of Government–NGO Collaboration in West Bengal

Insecure land rights are the key deterrent factor for the development of life and livelihoods of the poor households in developing countries. Government- or NGO-supported livelihood development programmes for the poorest of the poor are often constrained by a lack of access to land. A rights-based approach advocates for securing land rights first, followed by non-land inputs through the government system for better utilisation of land, thus improving the lives and livelihoods of those poor families. Based on both primary and secondary data, this study reviews the role of an NGO in establishing collaboration with the government and securing land rights for the poor and promoting land-based livelihoods. The study finds that this rights-based approach to development in collaboration with the government has yielded many positive outcomes, which can make a far-reaching impact on the lives and livelihoods of the programme participants.