Ecological restoration and green livelihoods

Setting the scene

The local communities heavily rely on trees as their primary source of energy for cooking and open-range livestock grazing. Unfortunately, this dependence has led to increased pressure on the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The forest, particularly in the buffer zone, has suffered from fragmentation and destruction due to these practices. To alleviate this situation, it is crucial to provide more means of subsistence and employment opportunities for the local households.

^{Photo by Natural Capital Partners}

Impact

The collaboration between PwCIF and The Corbett Foundation exemplifies a holistic approach, addressing ecological restoration, livelihood enhancement, and community well-being in the buffer villages surrounding the Kanha Tiger Reserve through:

1. Sustainable NTFP Procurement and Napier grass cultivation:

• Local communities are receiving training on sustainable methods for procuring non-timber forest produce (NTFPs).
• Additionally, residents are being educated on cultivating Napier grass, an excellent fodder for cattle.
• This dual approach not only supports livelihoods but also helps reduce human-animal conflict and biotic pressure on the forest.

2. Lantana de-weeding and tree plantation:

• Efforts have been made to combat the invasive plant species Lantana.
• Across the reserve, 5 hectares of land have been dedicated to tree plantation, resulting in the planting of 2800 saplings.
• In the first year, an impressive 11,000 saplings were planted across 16 hectares.

3. Water Pond Creation:

• To ensure adequate water supply for the plantation site, a water pond was thoughtfully constructed in one of the villages.

4. Bee Boxes for Sustainable Honey Cultivation:

• 60 bee boxes were distributed to 40 beneficiaries comprising of 3 SHGs.

5. Fuel-Efficient Cookstoves Distribution:

• 900 fuel-efficient cookstoves were distributed within the community.