Eco-cultural landscape-based livelihood models are grounded in the understanding that human livelihoods are inseparable from the ecological and cultural contexts in which they evolve, and that sustainable development emerges from the co-evolution of nature, society, and institutions. The foundational concept behind these models lies in recognizing landscapes not merely as physical spaces or economic resources, but as living socio-ecological systems shaped by long-term interactions among ecosystems, cultural practices, governance structures, and local knowledge systems. Livelihoods, in this perspective, are embedded in landscapes that carry ecological functions, cultural meanings, institutional norms, and historical memory, all of which together determine the resilience and sustainability of human well-being. At the core of this concept is the idea that landscapes are multifunctional and relational. They provide ecosystem services such as food, water, fuel, and biodiversity, while simultaneously serving as cultural spaces where identities, belief systems, and social institutions are formed and reproduced. Eco-cultural livelihood models reject the separation between nature and society that has often characterized modern development policies. Instead, they emphasize an integrated view where governance institutions, customary laws, and community practices mediate the relationship between people and their environment. This integration ensures that livelihood strategies are not extractive or short-term but are aligned with ecological limits and cultural continuity. Institutions play a central role in shaping eco-cultural landscapes by defining access, rights, and responsibilities over natural resources. Traditional institutions such as village councils, customary tenure systems, and sacred groves often regulate resource use through norms rooted in cultural values and ecological understanding. These institutions function as governance