EnvironmentasaBasisforDevelopment CaseStudies OverviewoftheCaseStudy/ProjectandContext(includeobjectivesoftheproject,partnerships)Max300words

Poverty Alleviation through biodiversity conservation in India: A World Land Trust and Wildlife Trust of India Partnership Program. The WLT WTI partnerships Elephant Corridor Program seeks to secure land for the benefit of biodiversity conservation whilst alleviating poverty within communities previously affected by regular conflicts with wildlife. WTI have published a comprehensive list of 88 unprotected corridors critical to the long term survival of Indias Asian Elephants. These corridors, which elephants and other wildlife use for movement throughout their extensive ranges, comprise the unprotected lands between fragments of protected areas. Indias rapidly expanding population and industrialization has resulted in encroachment of industry, settlements and infrastructure into forested landscapes leading to extensive degradation and fragmentation of natural habitats and significant impacts on wildlife population dynamics and behavior. As wildlife is forced into closer contact with rural communities, the incidence and severity of human wildlife conflicts are elevated. Elephants in particular are responsible for significant damage to property, croplands and infrastructure in these areas, in addition to occasional loss of life and severe community stress. In the Garo Hills, NE India, the WLT WTI program has engaged rural communities in the voluntary set aside of agricultural fallows to be returned to forest and officially designated as Village Reserve Forest (VRF). In recognition of this conservation action, WTI provides developmental support to participant communities including improvement of educational facilities and resources, access to regular health clinics, development of employment opportunities and erection of bridges to enable access during monsoon seasons. In Kerala, SW India, multiple communities have voluntarily relocated from an elephant corridor where large herds [of elephants] caused frequent and severe impacts on livelihoods. Here, villagers were awarded private land title; modern housing facilities and access to safe drinking water and electricity, all of which were grossly inadequate in the previous settlements.

Whoaretheprogramparticipants?
Wildlife Trust of India: Formed in 1998, WTI is a non-profit conservation organization, working in partnership with communities and governments to conserve Indias endangered species and threatened habitats. WTI are responsible for the implementation of the in situ conservation work and all other project related activities leading to securing of the corridors.http://www.wildlifetrustofindia.org/

World Land Trust: Formed in 1989, WLT is an international conservation charity, based in the UK which raises
funds for the purchase and protection of some of the worlds most threatened lands. WLTs project design transfers ownership of the acquired land to in-country project partner organizations (in this case WTI), avoiding the negative connotations associated with colonialism. After 22 years of experience, WLT is well placed to facilitate and develop conservation projects which deliver demonstrable co-benefits for communities and environmental services. WLTs role is to provide technical support to WTI in project design and implementation, and to raise funds for their implementation.http://www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/india.htm Government Authorities: WTI has established working relationships with the National, State and District government bodies associated with each of the Corridor projects. This has proved beneficial for the program for a variety of reasons. For example in Meghalaya, the support of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council has allowed for smooth incorporation of the VRFs into the Indian Protected Area Network. In Kerala the interest of the state government has leveraged funds for other conservation projects within the state. Local Community Stakeholders: The participation of local communities in each Elephant Corridor project is considered to be essential to its eventual success. Therefore, a key component is the delivery of demonstrable and equitable community benefits at a grass-roots level. Thus far, WTI has engaged local stakeholders in their conservation programs to the great benefit of conservation and poverty alleviation of communities.

 Howistheprojectbeingmeasured?
Conservation success measured through ecological surveying of corridor and assessment of wildlife usage. The regeneration of degraded forest areas will be also be monitored with WTI intervention should assisted natural regeneration be required (i.e. de-weeding around saplings at regular intervals). Poverty alleviation success measured through dialogue with the communities and socio-economic surveys. Wildlife conflict alleviation measured through dialogue with communities and local Wildlife Department who receive compensation claims following human wildlife conflicts.

Whatbarriers/challengesdidtheprojectencounter?Howweretheyaddressed?
Financial constraints cost of land in India is generally very high (usually comparable to UK land prices) and land had to be purchased within the corridors and in relocation sites driving up the cost of the project. This was overcome through innovative fundraising e.g. WLTs Emeralds for Elephants event (http://www.worldlandtrust.org/events/emeralds-for-elephants/index.htm) and WLT seeking partner funds from other organisations such as the IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands Small Grants for the Purchase of Nature program. Delays with corridor securing Delays were caused in the Kerala corridor due to involvement of a large number of separate communities each voluntarily relocated in succession. This resulted in subsequent landowners asking unrealistic prices for land within the corridor which delayed the program. Addressing this issue is still an ongoing challenge but WTI are currently engaging the Kerala State Government in the acquisition of the final village land prior to WTI funded relocation of the community.

Towhatdoyouattributethesuccessoftheproject?
Strength of partnership between WLT WTI Institutional capacity of WTI. WTI employ a multi-disciplinary approach to securing of the Elephant Corridors. For example, in Kerala a social worker is employed full time to interact with the local communities and ensure that the process by which WTI introduced and carried out the relocation of the villagers was fully informed and consensual. WTIs flexibility and experience with community conservation projects. Sustainability of the conservation actions provided by local communities is assured through provision of support and advice on alternative livelihoods (e.g. small scale enterprises) and sustainable technologies such as improved cooking stoves and solar lighting.