The Eco Development Project and the socio-economics of the fringe area of the Periyar Tiger Reserve: A concurrent study
Background of the study is the multi-State India Eco-development Project sponsored by IDA/GEF at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, one of the seven Protected Areas (PAs) with the central objective of conserving biodiversity in and around PAs over 5 years (1996-97 to 2000-2001). The Village Eco Development Component (VEC) has been the core strategy envisaged under the project and 55% of the Project costs has been allocated to it. The objective of the VEC is to reduce negative interactions of the local people on biodiversity and to increase collaboration of the local people in conservation.