Project districts:	Chittoor and Anantapur
Forest types:	Dry Deciduous, Tropical Thorn Forest, Scrub Forest
River basin:	Papagni
Village institutions:	174
Area under protection:	10,517 hectares
Total households:	7,866

Description

Initiated about 18 years ago nearly 12,000 hectares of revenue wastelands and forest-land in contiguous patches have been brought under protection by around 175 villages as a result of which ranges of hills show improved forest cover. While the implementation of revegetation and soil and moisture conservation measures resulted in improving the biomass and sub surface moisture regimes, the repair and construction of small ponds around seepage flows helped cater to the drinking water requirements of cattle even during six years of consecutive drought. With increased availability of fodder and water, most of the farmers have taken to dairying as an income earning opportunity that can help offset the uncertainties associated with rainfed agriculture. On the other hand, frequent interaction within village communities have resulted in generating discussion that are not necessarily limited to the governance of natural resources but also extend to other aspects of village life.

Studies undertaken to inform strategic direction indicate that while there has been significant improvement in the biomass availability, the patterns of current level of extraction are untenable, warranting corrective measures aimed at both increasing energy conservation measures and augmenting the supply of firewood from lands other than commons. Moreover, the collective choice arrangements arrived at by the local communities, in refraining from harvesting firewood from the regenerating forests, has necessitated a search for alternate livelihood options for the poor who resort to sale of firewood to nearby towns during periods of scarcity.

With most of the hills already under protection by improved vegetative cover and soils and moisture conservation measures, we are progressing towards improving the phytomass and soil moisture on the mid slopes that lie below the hills and that are typically owned by the poor. Discussion within village institutions and their federations have now gone beyond issues of protection to deliberations upon patterns of extraction and the need to evolve mechanisms to ensure that rates of bio-mass and water extraction do not exceed rates of regeneration and recharge. Moreover, such meetings are also becoming forums to interact proactively on issues that concern the region. Village representatives are actively discussing the need for initiating action on the marketing of milk and vegetables, and also on the need to increase their interaction with Government officials in shaping the effective delivery of the development programmes.

Area Description

The semi-arid region is characterised by hills that are a part of the Eastern Ghats. Many of the hills are barren and most are forestlands, with grazing and revenue wastelands on the lower slopes. Vegetation is mostly of the Dry Deciduous variety interspersed in places by Scrub Forest and Tropical Thorn Forest. Soil type varies from red loamy, sandy gravelly and lateritic soils. Agro-climatically the region is located in the Deccan Plateau.

The region forms the catchment of the river Papagni and two of its feeder streams. In the absence of adequate vegetative cover the average annual precipitation of 600-800 mm, is mostly lost as run-off, increasing dependence on groundwater to meet irrigation needs and frequently resulting in scarcity of drinking water for livestock during summers.