Evictions and Rural Economic Vulnerability: Post – Displacement Impact in Assam

Evictions in rural Assam, driven by river erosion, floods, and development projects, exacerbate economic vulnerability among displaced communities. This study examines post-displacement impacts on livelihoods, focusing on Dhubri and Majuli districts where over 1.4 million acres of land have been lost since 1950, rendering thousands landless. Affected families, often Mishing and other riverine groups, face income loss from agriculture, unemployment, and reliance on precarious char lands or embankments, with only 9% rehabilitated from 2014-2024 despite policies like the 2020 Rehabilitation Policy. Children suffer educational disruptions, while women encounter heightened gender-based violence risks. Employing a mixed-methods approach with surveys of 200 households and secondary data analysis, findings reveal a 40-60% income drop post-eviction, underscoring policy gaps in Assam's State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). Urgent reforms in land allocation, skill training, and inclusive adaptation are recommended to mitigate vulnerability.