Technological Diffusion And Sustainable Livelihoods In Scheduled Areas Of Telangana: Empirical Insights From Itda Bhadrachalam And Eturnagaram

Abstract

This study examines the role of technological diffusion in promoting sustainable livelihoods in the Scheduled Areas of Telangana, with empirical insights from ITDA Bhadrachalam and ITDA Eturnagaram. Using primary data collected in 2024 from 368 forest-dependent households through a structured questionnaire and Likert-scale analysis, this study analyzed adoption patterns and livelihood, employment, and sustainability outcomes associated with digital and eco-friendly technologies. The analytical framework integrates the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to capture both community-level diffusion dynamics and individual adoption behaviour. The findings indicate that technological diffusion has strengthened the legitimacy of forest-based livelihoods, improved income from Minor Forest Produce (MFP), expanded employment opportunities, and encouraged environmentally responsible consumption practices. However, marked regional disparities persist. ITDA Bhadrachalam records higher levels of technology adoption and livelihood benefits owing to better digital connectivity, market access, and institutional support. In contrast, ITDA Eturnagaram continues to face infrastructural limitations, low digital literacy, and weak governance. By providing empirical evidence from an under-examined tribal and forest-based context, the study contributes to the literature on the technology–sustainability nexus in India. The policy implications underscore the need for localized digital capacity-building, the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern technologies, strengthened participatory governance, and targeted infrastructure investments to achieve inclusive and sustainable livelihood transformation in the Scheduled Areas of Telangana.