Vidiyal heralds a new dawn: poachers turn protectors in Periyar.

Vidiyal heralds a new dawn: poachers turn protectors in Periyar.

1. Vidhiyal, an Eco-development Committee (EDC) has been working towards protection of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala.
2. The Periyar Tiger Reserve lies in the Western Ghats in the Idukki District, Kerala. The reserve lies along the watershed of the Periyar and Pamba rivers. In 1978, the Periyar sanctuary was declared as a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
3. In 1996, the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department launched the India Eco-Development Project (EDP) for the Periyar Tiger Reserve with financial assistance from the World Bank’s and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The important components of the EDP are a) village eco-development programmes, b) improved protected area management, and c) environmental education and awareness campaigns.