Title: Relevance of small businesses in protecting a wildlife sanctuary and meeting sustainable development goals

Authors: Anupam Saxena; Sugandha Shanker

Addresses: Jaipuria Institute of Management, Vineet Khand Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, 226010, UP, India ' Cambridge Central Asia Forum, Jesus College, Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BL, UK

Abstract: The role of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in improving socio-economic and environmental problems of a highly biodiverse and culturally rich wildlife sanctuary in North India needs investigation. This area faces a severe ecological crisis due to heavy anthropogenic pressures. This sanctuary is located in India's three lowest-ranked aspirational districts, making it vulnerable. In order to understand the area's problems and potential of developing local-centric businesses for reducing dependency on the sanctuary, a literature review and field investigation was carried out through semi-structured interviews. These interviews were analysed using the qualitative software ATLAS.ti 9.0. Observations from field investigation, literature review and analysis of interviews revealed that the area could develop small businesses if proper support systems are provided. The work has identified four small businesses that are successful in reducing the pressure and conserving similar areas. These businesses can be replicated as alternative sources of income and meet all 17 SDGs.

Keywords: sustainable development goals; SDGs; wildlife sanctuary; small businesses; skill development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2022.126146

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2022 Vol.27 No.2, pp.227 - 250

Received: 08 Apr 2021
Accepted: 02 Jul 2021
Published online: 13 Oct 2022 *

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