Release of Indigenous Tribal Community from Debt Trap

Abstract

Periyar, Kerala, India, was selected as one of the seven sites to implement eco-development activities under the India Eco-development Project (IEDP) in 1996. As part of trust building with local communities, interactions were made with the tribal people. Eco-development committees (EDCs) were formed, and harvesting of bioresources and their judicious marketing were done under the leadership of EDC. Savings bank accounts were opened jointly in the name of the male and female heads of each family providing gender equality. As part of the project, income-generating activities were initiated in many neighbourhoods, and also financial loan facilities for agriculture were provided to individuals and groups. This made a platform for the people and officials to have a healthy relationship with mutual trust and belief. People were willing to come forward for forest protection by self-motivation. The chapter describes the initiatives under the Eco-development Project for providing sustainable livelihood to tribal communities at Periyar.