In an interaction with The Hindu , he said the initiative was
launched six years ago. The reserve, which shares its borders with Tamil
Nadu’s Anamalai Tiger Reserve, was able to make rapid strides in
initiatives relating to eco-tourism as well effective forest management
through the involvement of tribals, who earlier found it tough to live
in a forest environment cut off from the world outside.
The tribespeople, who were forced to sell their cattle and forgo other
means of livelihood after the sanctuary attained a tiger reserve status,
are now employed as tourist guides, forest watchers and helping hands
for eco-tourism initiatives. They are paid salary by the Parambikulam
Tiger Foundation.
Endemic flora varieties
“The Parambikulam Tiger Reserve has many firsts to its credit, made
possible through participation of tribespeople. Being a most protected
forest area, the reserve has nearly five endemic flora varieties. It had
29 direct sightings of tigers,” he said. Ever since Joint Forest and
Participatory Management was introduced, there have been no incidents of
poaching in the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. Also, there had been no
incident of forest fire. It is now ‘the first domestic cattle-free
protected forest area.’
Tribespeople have become part of the Social Tiger Protection Force and
are effectively combating forest and wildlife-related offences. There
are seven eco-development committees serving the restricted and
regulated eco-tourism needs and looking after the livelihood of tribal
people. There are 13 eco-tourism packages oprated by the department
through tribal people. Plastic waste has reduced drastically and the
remaining waste is recycled and made into key chains, embedded with
PTR-related images and slogans. They are sold as souvenir to tourists.
Tourism activities are regulated in such a way as to not cause
disturbance to wildlife. Entry of private vehicles to the reserve has
been banned.
Four new 18-seater vehicles have been bought to take tourists around the reserve.
Farming activities
Referring to the farming activity in Poopara hamlet, Mr.Anjan Kumar said
banana cultivation earlier had led to man–animal conflict. Now, with
inputs from Forest Department, they have switched over to ginger,
coffee, pepper and turmeric cultivation. Organic certification and good
prices have benefited them, he added. In order to address alcoholism
prevalent among the local community, the Excise Department would soon
start a de-addiction centre in Parambikulam, , which is otherwise a
no-liquor zone. An ambulance was sanctioned for the local community by A
K Antony, MP, from his local area development fund for meeting
immediate medical needs.
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