Contributing community development and conserving
biodiversity, piloted in Satkosia
R. Raghu Prasad and Vinod Kumar

Odisha has rich natural forests.

37% of the State is classified as forest

Coastal mangroves, dry and moist
tropical deciduous forests in the
Eastern Ghats.

A well-planned network of protected
areas

2 national parks and 18 sanctuaries.

Forests under huge pressure
◦ forest fires, livestock grazing,
shifting cultivation
◦ wildlife poaching, collection of fuel
wood, timber and other forest
products.
Community based Ecotourism.…

Government has been focusing on reducing dependence of local
communities on forest resources.

Participatory approaches to forest management and promoting alternative
livelihoods.


Community based Ecotourism as a strategic component in PA management.
Piloted for in few sanctuaries in Odisha.

Aims to enhance livelihoods of forest dependent communities.

Participatory processes piloted in Satkosia Tiger Reserve for the first time.

This experience have demonstrated
the relevance of Community based Ecotourism
as an effective tool in PA management.

An assessment of key threats to biodiversity
undertaken in four sanctuaries of Orissa.

Study shows that the PAs are impacted by
◦ forest fires,
◦ unregulated collection of timber, fuel wood, and nontimber forest products,
◦ livestock grazing,
◦ shifting cultivation
◦ poaching.

Main Inferences :
◦ threats to biodiversity from a plethora of largely
interrelated pressures.
◦ pressures likely to continue and increase.
◦ current levels of resource use and disturbance are
unsustainable.
◦ threats are not appropriately addressed in current PA
management plans.
KEY THREATS TO
BIODIVERSITY
Forest fire
Podu (Slash-and-burn
agriculture)
Livestock grazing
Unregulated collection natural
resources
Kotagarh
Kuldiha
***
***
*
**
***
Unregulated collection fuel
wood
Illegal timber collection
Wildlife poaching
Water-stress for wildlife in dry
season
Human-wildlife conflicts
KEY TO SCALE OF IMPACT
Lakhari
Valley
***
***
Satkosia
Gorge
***
**
*
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
*
*
***
**
*
*
**
*
**
*
*
**
**
*
Few areas,
major
impact
Absent,
no impact
*
***
Extensive
major
impact
**
Some areas,
moderate impact
(Panwar et al. 2009), OFSDP
Way forward….

Urgent need to engage local communities in eco-development and
ecotourism.

Need for participatory, consensus building approaches with
communities

enable communities to improve their livelihoods in ways that reduce
their dependencies on forests.

Integration of biodiversity conservation requirements with the
livelihood needs of village communities within PAs.

Pave the way for sustainable coexistence of people and wildlife in
and around protected areas.

Ecotourism is "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the
environment and improves the welfare of local people."

Benefits local communities and destinations; environmentally, culturally and
economically.

Ecotourism represents a set of principles successfully
implemented in various global communities.

Supported by extensive industry and academic research.
 Ecotourism principles:
◦ Minimize impact.
◦ Build environmental and cultural
awareness and respect.
◦ Provide positive experiences for both
visitors and hosts.
◦ Provide direct financial benefits for
conservation.
◦ Provide financial benefits and
empowerment for local people.

Ecotourism, among the fastest growing
sectors of the tourism industry
worldwide.
Ecotourism opportunities &
present scenario in Odisha…….

Odisha has rich natural and cultural
heritage.

State is well known for its temples and
beaches.

Deserves greater exposure of its hills,
forests, wildlife and tribal culture.

Tourism developed primarily in coastal
regions and a handful of inland locations.

Ecotourism, not properly understood and
developed in a meaningful way that benefits
nature conservation and local communities.

Many destinations marketed as ecotourism
in PAs, often do not:
◦ promote low impact visitor behavior;
◦ provide support for local conservation
efforts;
◦ provide benefits to local communities.
Ecotourism and role of Forestry Sector……

Develop and adopt an ecotourism
policy based on international
definitions, principles and standards.

Demonstrating good practices and
standards.

Fostering community based
ecotourism within and adjacent to
protected areas, as part of ecodevelopment.

Hosting an website to promote
understanding of ecotourism and
market destinations for the benefit of
the visitor.
CRITERIA
Surrounding
natural
environment conserved.
Satkosia Gorge
Tikarapada
Nature Camp
and
cultural
---
Minimal impact on natural surroundings
during construction.
©
Local architecture and building material used
Sustainable means of water acquisition; use
is minimized.
Canvas tents
©
Kuldiha
Kuldiha
Ecotourism
Complex
©
Debrigarh
Ecotourism
Cottages
Barakhandia
---
*
*
*
---
*
---
Sustainable means of energy acquisition;
use is minimized.
©
©
*
Water minimized and recycled
Environmentally acceptable disposal of solid
waste and sewage
*
?
*
?
*
?
---
---
---
---
©
*
©
*
*
*
Local products used.
Use of toxic chemicals in daily operations
avoided.
Ecolodge run by members of local
community.
Interpretation of local natural and cultural
heritage
Key:
-----
© Criterion met through conscious effort
--- Criterion may be met but not as a result of any deliberate effort
?
Not known
*
Criterion not met
(Panwar et al. 2009), OFSDP
Community Based Ecotourism in Satkosia… the Pilot
•
Satkosia spreads along the magnificent gorge over river Mahanadi.
•
Established in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary.
•
Declared as Satkosia Tiger Reserve in 2007.
•
Spread over 4 districts; Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Boudh
•
Satkosia is vulnerable to heavy biotic pressures.
Biotic pressures….

116 villages population around 1.2 lakh

Communities depend on fuel wood,
fodder, timber, NTFP, bamboo, fishing etc.

Wage employment was generated
through timber and bamboo working.

After declaration of the wildlife sanctuary,
many restrictions imposed.

This creates unrest and dissatisfaction among
local communities.

The sanctuary has been facing
severe biotic pressures over the years.
◦ Timber smuggling
◦ Poaching
◦ Forest fire
◦ Illegal fishing.

Community Based Ecotourism was initiated in Satkosia during 2006.

A temporary Nature Camp set up at Tikarpada and managed by local communities.

Local households in Tikarpada village were mobilized to form an Ecotourism group
(ETG).

24 poor households who were dependent on forest resources and fishing included in
the ETG.

Group provided training on hospitality management, catering, reception services,
pitching of tents etc.

The group registered as a society called Tikarpada Paribesh Paryatan Samiti,
Tikarpada (TIPPS).
• The initial infrastructure support was
provided.
• Tents, solar street lights, solar home
lighting, crockery, furniture etc.
• The assets remain with the forest
department.
• The nature camp provides a tour package
• Accommodation, boating, trekking and
catering facilities.
• The group manages and maintains the entire
infrastructure
•
Online Reservations through
www.satkosia.org or ‘Ecotourism Cell’
at Angul.
•
The camp has become hugely popular
among visitors.
• The community derives substantial
profits from this ecotourism
venture.
• This initiative has helped park
management to win support of
local communities towards wildlife
conservation.
Day One
11.00- 12.00 noon
Check in
12.30 pm -2.00 pm
Lunch in the dining space
3.30 pm
Tea, followed by briefing
4.00 pm – 5.30 pm
Boat ride
7.00 pm
Camp fire
8.30 pm – 10.00 pm
Dinner
Day Two
6.30 am
Wake up call, Tea/Coffee
7.00 am-8.30 am
Nature trails
8.30 am
Breakfast
11.00 am
Check out
Incomes…….
Year
No. of
guests
Gross
income
Expenditur
e
Net income
35% of net income
for corpus fund to
be used next year
65% of net income
shared among of
the group for 5
months
Share per
household per
month
2006-07
256
66,950
Nil
66,950
23,433
43,517
791/- ( 11
households)
2007-08
1047
3,54,50
63,914
2,90,586
103,607
1,86,979
1890/- (20
households)
2008-09
1386
8,40,850
4,43,903
4,25,317
1,48,577
2,75,928
2299/- (24
Households)
2009-10
2013
11,56,761
5,02,426
6,54,335
2,29,017
4,25,317
3544/- (24
Households)
2010-11
1694
13,81,971
5,55,910
8,26,061
3,30,425
4,95,636
4130/- (24
Households)
Visitors per year
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
Net income
Share per household per month
(Rs)
900,000
(Rs)
4500
800,000
4000
700,000
3500
600,000
3000
500,000
2500
400,000
2000
300,000
1500
200,000
1000
100,000
500
0
0
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
2006-072007-08 2008-09 2009-102010-11
Stakeholder
Benefits
Local Community
(Tikarpada Benefits from increased income
Village)
Protected Area Management
Gains goodwill and support from local
communities for Biodiversity conservation
Tourists
Better
visitor
experience,
enhanced
environment awareness and conservation
education

A Memorandum of Understanding between PA
management and the local EDC.

Defines the relationship between parties
◦ respective responsibilities
◦ distribution of financial benefits accruing from the
venture
◦ Benefit sharing between those running the ecolodge, the local EDC and the protected area
management.

Variety of benefit sharing models developed in PAs,
(Periyar Tiger Reserve)

Benefit sharing model will be specific for each
ecotourism venture

Depend on various factors
◦ type of venture
◦ period of operation
◦ institutional arrangements.
Comprehensive ecotourism plan for Satkosia

A comprehensive ecotourism plan for Satkosia was developed.

Needs of various stakeholders analyzed
◦ protected area and its biodiversity
◦ local community
◦ park management
◦ visitors.
84° 35 '
84° 40 '
84° 45 '
84° 50 '
84° 55 '
85° 00 '
Ganjada
Kadalibereni #
85° 10 '
Zone Map of
Satkosia-Gorge WL Sanctuary
To Antu lia
Laxm anapur
# Hinsaloi
#
#
Bhalumunda
Bhagabat pur
#
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nga#
85° 5'
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la Na ll a
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#
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#
#
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#
#
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#
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Bent apada
#
#
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#
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# Maskajholi
#
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#
#
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#
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#
#
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#
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#
#
# Jamujhola
#
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#
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#
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#
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#
#
#
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#
#
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#
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Z
$
$
#
Y
#$
$$
Y
$$
#
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#
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$
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#
#
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#
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r
Z
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#
#
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#
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.
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#$
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#
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#
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#
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la
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#
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#
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#
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#
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#
#
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#
#
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Kumari
##
#
#
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#
#
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#
#
#
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$
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#
S A T A K O S I A [WL] D I Gopalpur
VISION
#
B O U D H [T ]
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Jokub
Najhara
To At ha m ali k
Baghamunda(F.
KuBeat)
r u (P a r t) RBadakheta
F
#
Z
$
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20°40'
20°40'
D I V I S IO N
Hidisi ng
$
$Y
#
#
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A T H M A LI K [T ]
20°45'
Hinjagola Raigoda
#
#
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Kothabhuin
R iv e r
E co - T o u r si m Z o n e
E co - D e ve lo p m e n t Z o n e
E co - R e st o r a t io n Z o n e
84° 35 '
84° 40 '
84° 45 '
84° 50 '
84° 55 '
85° 00 '
85° 5'
85° 10 '
20°25'
20°25'
W ild e r n e ss Z o n e
Purnakote
h
Chhotkei
E
Majhipada
h
h
VC Tikarapada
Tulka
E
h
Katrang
Bhurkundi
h
VC
Visitor Centre
E
Eco-lodge
h
home-stay
Walk
Cycle
Traditional fishing boat
CORE
BUFFER
Baliput
E
h
Ranibhuin
Micro planning for Ecotourism

Village level micro planning is essential to
capture needs of the community.

Consensus among all sections of the village in
running an ecotourism enterprise.

Some communities cautious of allowing
visitors entering their village.

Others find it as an opportunity to tap the
ecotourism incomes.

Ecotourism master plan of the PA needs to be
discussed and agreed upon with the
community at large.

In Satkosia the ecotourism activates,were
practiced within the larger gamut of Ecodevelopment.

Micro planning is essential to identify target
households
• Poor Households who are
dependent on forest resources
are targeted.
• Simple PRA tools help in
identifying the target households.
• Ensures equity and transparency.
• PRA tools
• social mapping,
• forest dependency
• wellness ranking and household
interviews.
Wellness and forest dependency ranking charts
Useful to identify target households for ecotourism & Income generating activities
Reciprocal commitments…

Reciprocal commitments from community to wildlife conservation and
protection should be agreed upon.

Done during the micro planning process

EDC must reciprocate various commitments to ensure that biodiversity is
protected and conserved.

◦ No fire, poaching, illegal felling of
timber
◦ Rotational grazing
◦ Provision of intelligence, information
and assistance in prevention and
investigation of offences and
offenders.
◦ Registration of all fire arms in the
village.
• Second ecotourism initiative in Satkosia
• Master plan for an Eco friendly nature
camp at Chotkei
• Compressed earth bricks, treated
bamboo, bamboo corrugated sheets.
• Low carbon footprint.
• Funds provided to the EDC for
construction.

Ecotourism groups (ETG) selected during micro planning.

ETGs to be identified and ratified by the EDCs.

ETGs will be allowed to manage the Eco-lodges, boating etc

Treatment of Bamboo done by EDC

Construction using compressed
earth bricks

Bamboo corrugated sheets
for roofing

Capacity building & training is integral.

Ecotourism group trained in catering,
house keeping, reception services,
hospitality management.

Trained at Institute of Hotel
Management and Catering,
Bhubaneswar.
Nature camp, Chotkei was launched in Dec 2011
•
Thousands of picnickers visit
Satkosia every year.
•
Unmanaged picnicking polluted
the area.

Alternative picnic area
developed through EDC.

Picnicking banned in rest if
Tiger reserve.
Community run Picnic areas
River View Picnic, Goindi
• Located on the Mahanadi river
bank
• Managed by an Ecotourism
Group

Seating spaces, toilets and water supply

Fire wood and cooking utensils supplied.

Boating facility introduced.

Plans to introduce catering by the group.
• The profits shared ETG members
• Over Rs 1.0 lakh profit during 2010

Community based ecotourism initiatives have bridged the
gap between the forest dwellers and the PA management.

Increased incomes from ecotourism initiatives have
convinced villages about the benefits from ecotourism.

There is perceptible change in the attitude of the community
towards wildlife conservation.

Over the years the villagers have supported the PA
management in fire prevention, providing intelligence input
into wildlife poaching and timber smuggling.

Illegal movement of forest produce through the Mahanadi
River stopped due to the active involvement of TIPPS, at
Tikarpada.
Year
No. of Timber
smuggling
offence cases
No. of vehicles seized
Motorized
2005-06
639
3
Non
motorized
50
2006-07
559
6
56
2007-08
268
4
-
2008-09
141
-
-
2009-10
28
2
4
2010-11
10
0
0
Year
No of wildlife offence cases
2005-06
16
2006-07
13
2007-08
12
2008-09
5
2009-10
4
2010-11
3
Conclusions and lesions learnt..

Community based ecotourism model in
Satkosia, has shown substantial insights.

Ecotourism provides alternative livelihoods to
the deprived community, bringing increased
incomes.

This changes the attitude of the community to
the PA.

Benefits to stakeholders
◦ Community has gained through increased
incomes
◦ PA managers gained enhanced support
◦ Tourists have benefited from better visitor
experiences and conservation education
values
◦ PA is benefited through enhanced
biodiversity conservation.
Thank You