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Community development projects and alternative livelihood to decrease pressure on biodiversity

​Challenges

  1. Rapid increase in population and the huge unsustainable pressure on the resources.There are 225 fishing communities with roughly two lakh residents. 3961 mechanised boats, 12681 rural crafts, 118 fish landing stations, and 8586 catamarans. About 70% of the population only earns money from fishing.

  2. Lack of awareness among the fishermen community about the need to conserve the resources and sustain it for the future generation.

Solutions to Overcome the challenges:

1. Concessional Micro credit for alternative livelihood generation to decrease pressure on biodiversity

         The communities are mobilised under community-based organizations such as Eco-development committees (EDCs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). In , are established. These are which brings accountability to public directly. All decisions of EDCs are by Executive Committee (13 to 15 members) consists of all local except one. This brings the transparency and accountability. President of the EDC is from local community whose tenure is 3 years. No re-election is allowed for president post.

​      With establishment of the EDCs and SHGs, community members are supported by the concessional micro credit. concessional micro credit of is given to the Community members through SHGs. Transparency is maintained not only in distribution of micro credit but also while repayment. Computer software calculates all the repayment and penalty interest.Without first loan repayment, Self Help groups will not be eligible to next micro credit. Thus, it brings collective accountability as group to repay loan. In 2022 to 2024, . projects are established. are promoted. sites are developed. are established at ecotourism sites. are being trained for livelihood skills.​​

1-Providing micro credit to community to reduce their dependence on wetland biodiversity.J

Providing micro credit to community to reduce their dependence on wetland biodiversity

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Wildlife warden & GoMBRT Director interacting with Women about livelihood activities 

4. training for different activities for poor women (1).JPG

Training for different Eco-friendly activities for poor women

Branding of eco products for raising income of poor SHG members

2. Eco-Shop to sell Eco product manufactured by the SHGs

 Opening of Eco Shop 

 Eco shop is opened to sell eco products 

 Different eco-friendly product manufactured by community members 

3. Community based Eco-Tourism

New ecotourism projects are started to create green jobs

4. Capacity building of local community

Training to the community members for operating ecotourism

ACHIEVEMENTS

  1. Helped 7788 persons brought out of poverty and given green jobs.

  2. 93% beneficiaries are women and girls.

  3. The beneficiaries are from poor including all castes, gender, and age group.

  4. 4 New eco development projects were started in one year.

  5. Initiated sharing of Net revenue (40%) from Ecotourism with community to utilise for community development.

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MANNAR ECO-TOURISM

Community based Eco-tourism at Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, where 40% of revenue is shared with community,

1.) Kaarankaadu Mangroves

2.) kurusadai Island-National Park Safari

3.) Pichaimoopanvalasai-Manalthittu & Coral Reefs

4.) Tharuvaikulam Coral Reefs

5.) Ariyaman community based Eco-tourism

1.) KARANKAADU ECO-TOURISM
75987-11620

2.) KURUSADAI ISLAND - NATIONAL PARK SAFARI
90925-26089

3.) PICHAIMOOPANVALASAI - MANAL THITTU & CORAL REEFS
86109-93232
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4.) THARUVAIKULAM- CORAL REEFS    
86810-20780

5.) ARIYAMAN COMMUNITY BASED ECO-TOURISM
89409-95757

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©2021 by Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.

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