Village Eco-development programme was implemented by the wildlife wing of Forest Department in an effort to reduce forest related dependence of people living around Protected Areas. SHODH was assigned the job of evaluating this program by Forest Department (wildlife), Nagpur Circle. Five villages from different Protected Areas and four villages not covered under the program but located around Protected Areas, were studied. 

The study concludes that continuation of this program, in its true spirit, would require much more conviction and tireless efforts on part of forest officials, down the line. Similarly, some more time will have to pass before the villagers pose faith in the intentions of the State in pushing this programme. But considering the fact that the scarce resource cannot be protected by anyone other than Forest Department, in cooperation with the local population, this and many more similar programmes are the need of the hour.

Study Funding : Forest Department (wildlife), Nagpur Circle.

Study Output : Report 1999 © SHODH