Consultancy work was given to SHODH for collection of Botanical Data for a research project entitled “Economics of Protected area – A case study of Pench National Park”, sponsored by the World Bank through IGIDR (Indira Gandhi Institute for Research and Development) Mumbai, India. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of human intervention on biodiversity of the Park. Ten villages in and around Pench National Park were surveyed on the basis of the sample villages selected by the Principal Investigator of the Project. Botanical data was collected from 30 Forests plots, 20 from the village area, and 5 from tourist Zone and 5 from the core area. The only village which is located within the Park area, was considered an IFRI site.

The study found that biodiversity is negatively affected by tourism and not necessarily by overgrazing and other extractions by the people living close to the park boundary. Because of the proximity to Reserved forest and Protected forest, the locals do not depend on the protected area to fulfill their major needs. Development of roads and pressure of tourists are the main causes for disturbance of biota of the area. Biodiversity is richer in the areas closer to village boundaries. It could be due to initial introduction, followed by naturalization, and then spread of plants of human interest.

Study Funding: Department of Economics, Nagpur University

Study Output: Report, © Department of Economics, Napur University