THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The eco-development committees in Periyar Tiger Reserve had created a revolution of sorts when it transformed notorious smugglers and poachers into protectors through micro groups called eco-development committees (EDCs). Now, nearly 15 years after the revolution began, the PTR is conducting the first major stock-taking of the 78 EDCs within its fold. The objective: Restructure the functioning of the EDCs in the changed social and economic scenario.
“We brought about a revolution when smugglers and poachers were transformed,” said a top Forest Department official. “After a decade we are not looking for another revolution, because fortunately there is no need for any, but for innovative solutions to tackle specific conservation issues,” he said. For innovations to happen, an assessment has to be done on the present state of the 78 EDCs. Mainly, three major aspects will be closely assessed. One, an economic evaluation of EDCs and the improvement in the status of the families of EDC members.
Two, the need for new development strategies. Three, the impact of the activities of EDCs within and outside the reserve. The EDCs, each with 20-100 members, are involved in a range of activities from sale of forest produce like honey to eco-tourism activities. The EDCs have given forest dwellers an alternative source of income, dignity and had instilled in them a sense of ownership of the forest. Many have freed themselves from the clutches of money lenders. Former smugglers have turned protectors. And jobless tribal youths turned entrepreneurs.
Nonetheless, the EDC activities have not vastly improved the standard of life of forest dwellers. It were the eco-tourism EDCs that earned the most, and that too Rs 10,000 a month on an average. “We have found that the aspirational levels of forest dwellers have gone up in the last decade and more. The functioning of the EDC will have to reflect this desire to move up in life or else the very project could be endangered,” the official said.
