Abstract

This study holds significance in the context of special emphasis being laid by the UNESCO to establish linkages between conservation and forest management with sustainable livelihood in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR), having a potential for being recognized as a biodiversity-rich World Heritage Site. In this study attempt was made to bring together insights from emerging forestry and conservation paradigms and investigates their relevance in establishing the aforesaid linkages in the Kerala part of ABR. In the study area, human-related constraints in management mainly relate to the lack of absolute involvement of primary stakeholders and others in participatory management, the social and economic dependencies of the Kanis/local communities that conflict with the objectives of the BR, and the actual commercial threats. Towards this, the study recommends adopting an integrated landscape livelihood approach in BR management. Land use changes in the study area have been highly complex due to human interactions over a period of time. The land reforms introduced in the State over a period of time have brought about institutional changes leading to drastic transformation in the land holding pattern and subsequent shift in land use and cropping pattern in the study area.

Encouraging scientific agriculture on one side and putting firm action on those converting forest lands on the other will deter further depletion of such a fragile ecosystem. Recreation/ecotourism is a highly significant economic use of the Biosphere Reserve with immense economic potential for development as an important tourist destination. With Government and development agencies focusing mainly on poverty alleviation, ensuring good standard of living to people and environment stability, ecotourism could be a viable alternative for the sustainable management of forests and societal welfare at large. For ensuring environmental stability, ecotourism ventures must be followed by adequate forest expansion activities. To this the study recommends a site-specific programme towards action plan for environmental and economic security. The strategies for sustainable recreation emphasizes on the pro-poor tourism strategy on sustainable tourism focusing on economic benefits, non economic benefits and policy reforms with special reference to the underprivileged. The results of the study have put forth strategies and action plans for conservation, thus adhering to the Seville Strategy of Biosphere Reserves and the Convention of Biological Diversity.