Abstract ID: 3.13914 | Accepted as Talk | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

Hill areas have diverse ecology, harmonious environments, and natural aesthetics, which makes them a desirable place to live. In India, hill towns are majorly experiencing issues such as limited land availability, environmental degradation, disaster vulnerability, and resource constraints. These cities are also under immense urbanization pressure, further increasing the demand to satisfy the economic needs of the growing population. The present study is focused on evaluating the livelihood conditions of Shimla city and aims to formulate planning strategies that promote sustainable livelihoods while balancing economic development and environmental conservation. The research followed a structured approach that includes assessing the existing livelihood status, analysing the Livelihood Assessment Index (LAI) based on human, natural, physical, social, and financial capitals, and measuring the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) through exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicators to analyse the existing issues and provide strategies which leads to enhance livelihood sustainability in the study area. The study uses a mixed-method analysis with a sample size of 140, determined using Slovin’s formula. The findings reveal that the livelihood satisfaction is lower in the natural and social capital aspects, deriving that the communities have limited access to land and less involvement of local administration. In this regard, a set of planning strategies has been formulated to achieve sustainable livelihood in the study area.