Pilibhit, 7 June (HS): Pilibhit

Tiger Reserve of Uttar Pradesh, not only promoting eco-tourism via Eco

Development Committee (EDC), but local youth are also getting new employment

opportunities. In line with the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the

EDC formed by the Forest and Wildlife Department is not only playing an

important role in the socio-economic development of the region but is also

proving effective in making the youth of the local community self-reliant. 8

EDCs are being operated by the Tiger Reserve Foundation in Chuka (Selha),

Barahi and Chowka Kheda of Pilibhit, which are training local youth as tourist

guides, running canteens and also getting development works like road

construction, solar lights, and construction of ponds done in local villages.

EDCs are making local communities

self-reliant along with development: According to Forest Minister Dr. Arun

Kumar Saxena, the Forest and Wildlife Department has formed an Eco Development

Committee (EDC). Running with the help of the Tiger Reserve Foundation, EDCs

are promoting eco-tourism in the state as well as making local youth

self-reliant and contributing to development work. Currently, about 8 EDCs are

operating in the villages around Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, such as Chuka (Selha),

Barahi, and Chaunka Kheda. These committees are training local youth and

connecting them with tasks like tourist guides, canteen operations and awareness

campaigns. Apart from this, these committees are also contributing to the

development of basic facilities like road construction, solar lights and

reservoir construction in the villages around the Tiger Reserve. These works

being done by EDC are proving the concept of inclusive development right by

involving people from the local community.

EDCs are being operated with the

help of Tiger Reserve Foundation: Each EDC is provided financial assistance of

about one lakh rupees per year by the Tiger Reserve Foundation. Through this

assistance, the committees run their activities smoothly and create employment

opportunities at the local level. These committees operating around Pilibhit

Tiger Reserve have earned an income of Rs. 6 to 10 lakh per year. This income

has been used not only in the operation of the committee but also in the

development work of local villages. Works like construction of roads,

installation of solar lights and reservoirs have contributed significantly in

improving the living standards of the villagers. Along with this, these EDCs

are also working to make the people of the local community and tourists aware

about environmental protection. EDCs of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve are proving

beneficial for environmental protection and community development. In future,

expansion of such committees near forest parks and tiger reserves is expected

to create more employment and development opportunities in the area.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi