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Village Eco-development is the most important aspect of Eco-development project and incorporates the revenue villages, all nesses and all forest settlement villages. Initiation under village eco-development programme started in the year 1995-96 when village workshops and meetings were organised and training in Eco-development were also organised. As a first step to open the dialogues, number of works and activities were taken up in the villages. Gobar gas plants were installed to reduce fuel wood consumption and to minimise physical labor. Cattle immunisation camps were held to have diseases free livestock in and around the sanctuary. Many old and exposed wells that posed danger to wild animals were bounded by parapet wall. New wells were constructed for the villagers and old wells were repaired to provide potable water to animals and human beings. The scope of the activities was enhanced in the year 1996-97 after gaining initial success during 1995-96. Convinced by the approach of eco-development, more and more villages started participating in the meetings and agreed to form eco-development committees. As per the guidelines issued by the Government of Gujarat. Micro-plans for villages and nesses were made by the EDCs in collaboration with the Forest Department and local NGOs. Local people were provided training in multifarious activities like embroidery, sewing, hay and silage. Eco-development etc. the villagers and maldharis were taken to various other parts of the state to given them first hand information on cooperative functioning, dairying, joint forest management, nature education etc. The process of eco-development works continued with people showing more enthusiasm and renewed vigour. More and more gobar gas plants were installed undulating agriculture lands were leveled and old wells were repaired. Efforts were made to reduce the wood cutting by the maldharis by supplying them alternative materials for post and for fence. Fodder plots were raised to minimise conflicts between farmers and wild animals. Cattle immunisation camps were organised all over Gir and cattle troughs were constructed at a number of places to provide drinking water to the cattle. By the end of the financial year 1996-97 local people seemed eager about the works and its impact on the sanctuary as well as on village socio-economics. A total of 103 EDCs were formed and local people were provided training in environmental awareness, wildlife orientation, animal husbandry and improved farming. Like previous year exchange visits were organised so that the people could discuss their problems and find solutions among themselves. A number of village level workshops and meetings were organised where NGOs, research institutions, villages and P.A. staff participated for exchange of ideas and suggestions. Various eco-development works including installation of crematories, LPG connection, water facilities, cattle troughs etc. were provided in the village. Rubble wall, solar lights and kerosene stoves were given to the maldharis and settlers in order to reduce pressure on the sanctuary. The impact of these activities can be seen in the villages as well as in the P.A. grazing pressure of participating villages on the sanctuary has reduced considerably. Many of them have adopted to cut and carry methods. Similarly fuel wood consumption is also being reduced though at a gradual pace. At many places people have started using uprooting lantana and shiyardi for fuel purposes.
Regular contacts with the local villagers and NGOs continued during the year 1997-98. A number of meetings and workshops were organised where villagers, P.A. staffs, researchers and NGOs participated and exchanged their views on biodiversity conservation. In those villages where microplans were approved, works were taken up as per the micro-plan and in others credibility works were undertaken. Activities like cattle trough, gobar gas plants, LPG connection, solar lanterns, kerosene stoves were provided to the villagers. By the end of March-2000 a total number of 103 EDCs are constituted and 80 number of Micro-plan are approved.
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