Conservation of Nature
Arasan Rural Development Society is very much concerned about the protection and conservation of forest along with its flora and fauna in the Western Ghats mountainous region in Kalakkad Block.
In this regard, we implemented a community based project to save the forest in collaboration with the Department of Forest, Tirunelveli Division, Tamilnadu.
The project focused on promoting Village Forest Groups in 30 villages located on the outskirts of the forest. These groups consisted of 30 members – women, youth and community leaders - from the villages concerned. We imparted education on the need to conserve the forest to ensure the livelihood of the village community.
The rationale behind this project is that the people from these villages used to hunt animals and birds from the forest to earn their livelihood income. They consumed the meat and sold the skins of the animals to the anti social elements for reasonable prices. Though this practice is prohibited by the Forest Act, they did so by eluding the vigilance of the forest officials.
To reduce their dependency on the forest for their livelihood, we imparted entrepreneurial development skills to them through structured trainings in collaboration with the Forest Department. Besides, we enabled them to get grants from the Forest Department and loans from the banks to enable them to start viable micro enterprises and earn a livable income.
As a result, they are no more depending on the forest for their livelihood and stopped poaching. The commendable outcome of the project is that they are constantly keeping a vigil to prevent anti social elements from outside to hunt the birds and animals.
Apart from that, we are implementing the following projects/activities to create wider level awareness on protecting the local biodiversity and eco system. They are;
- Awareness Campaigns on Medicinal plants to village leaders supported by CPR Foundation, Chennai
- Eco Development Program for village community supported by Conservator of Forests, Tirunelveli
- National Environment Awareness Campaign supported by Department of Forest& Environment, New Delhi
We also bring SHG women and students on exposure tour to Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary to create awareness on protecting the birds.
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