Eco development

  • Community Farming
  • EDC Meeting
  • Fishermen EDC
  • Malampandaram EDC
  • Village Ecodevelopment
  • Vasanthasena
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A brief about EDCs

A participatory management strategy of Protected Areas, Ecodevelopment aims at conserving the biodiversity by addressing both the impact of local people on the PAs and the impact of the PAs on local people. In response to the changed paradigm of partnership, Ecodevelopment Committees (EDCs) emerged around many PAs. PTR in Kerala is one among the seven PAs in India selected for the implementation of India Ecodevelopment Project. In accordance with the tripartite agreement signed between the external donor agencies (World Bank & IDA), Government of India (GOI) and Government of Kerala (GOK). Enabling orders were issued by GOK and constituted 72 Ecodevelopment Committees consisting of fringe area communities and other forest dependents. The goal of the project was biodiversity conservation through people’s participation and the main objectives were;

  1. To improve capacity of PA management to conserve biodiversity and increase opportunity for local participation in PA management activities and decisions.
  2. To reduce negative impact of local people on biodiversity, reduce negative impact of PA on local people and increase collaboration of local people in conservation efforts.
  3. To develop more effective and extensive support for community development activities.

Even though the project successfully ended after meeting the goal and objectives in 2004, the Ecodevelopment programme is continuing with the experience and expertise acquired from the implementation of India Ecodevelopment Project and the institutional mechanisms such as EDCs, Confederations and an Apex Body called ‘Periyar Foundation’ formed to carry forward the process of Ecodevelopment beyond the project period.

Ongoing Activities

Now Ecodevelopment has stepped into a new era where almost 40 thousand people under the umbrella of various EDCs are engaged in innovative livelihood options which foster positive dependency on forest. Tribal EDCs grow and market organic pepper, ginger and turmeric which are organically certified and procured at a premium of 33% of the market price. Thus the sustainability of the traditional and local farming practices for better livelihood are ensured and improvement in the quality of life is assured. More and more EDC members residing in the fringes of the forest are venturing into cultivation of other crops especially vegetables. Periyar Foundation has helped them in undergoing training and organic farming activities, soil and water conservation and also opening an organic marketing outlet for selling farm fresh products. They too have plans for branding their products in the long run. The EDC members are also involved in pilgrim management with ecological sensitivity along the Sabarimala. Also in various ecotourism programmes and plastic cleaning drives. They look forward to opening of rural BPOs and engaging the computer literate youth in the EDCs.

Proposed EDCs

Three EDCs viz., Malampandaram EDC, Thelli (Black Dammar) Collectors EDC and Fishermen EDC are being proposed to be constituted to strengthen protection in the core and buffer zones of PTR.

Malampandaram EDC: The Malampandarams are the most primitive and nomadic tribe still pursuing a life of fruit and root gathering. They live in various parts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. The families are reported to be suffering due to lack of food especially during rainy season since availability of tubers are meager and thus the entire families including the small children starve days together. Malnourishment is obvious from the appearance of the children. Using these circumstances, these members are often being misused by the criminals who operate inside the forest for various illegal activities like poaching, etc. Hence, in order to support these people to mitigate starvation as well as to eliminate their connection with illegal operators and strengthen the conservation efforts, it is proposed to initiate a participatory research programme with the support of the families of Malampandarams.

Thelli (Black Dammar) Collectors EDC: People from Sivagiri, Devedanampatti and Rajapalayam in Tamilnadu are mostly depending upon on the forest of PTR especially the core zone for collecting the NWFP that comprises the lions share of their annual livelihood income. Possibilities of constituting EDCs in these regions as part of transboundary initiatives are being explored to reduce the pressure on forest resources and obtain their wholehearted support for the conservation.

Fishermen EDC: Majority of the Mannan tribes who previously lived deep inside the forest now located on the periphery are depending upon the Periyar Lake for fishing. The income from fishing constitutes a major part of their annual income. The fish catches mostly constitute the exotic species which need to be removed as a part of the management strategies to help the survival and growth of the native fish fauna. The idea of constituting an EDC for the fishermen would not only help in implementing the strategies of sustainable harvesting of fishes but also the economic uplift of the fishermen.