Effectiveness of integrated conservation and development projects around central Indian tiger reserves

In tropical human-dominated forest landscapes, top-down exclusive approaches to forest and biodiversity conservation frequently creates local conflicts due to unequal distribution of power, rights and benefits. In India, the failure of restrictive policies has led governments to think of more inclusive approaches and to involve local people in conservation. While policies became more participatory, that is not proven true for local level practices. Integrated conservation and development projects aim to improve conservation outcomes with inclusive and incentive-based approaches. However, past attempts to implement these projects had mixed success. This study aims to (1) evaluate effectiveness of integrated conservation and development projects around central Indian tiger reserves with respect to changes in attitudes and behaviour of targeted local communities and (2) reveal the func- tional role of local governance, power relations and negotiation power in the project. The study will combine qualitative and quantitative methods including in-depth interviews with tiger reserves authorities; local NGOs; village self-government and eco-development committee members; and questionnaires administered at the village level with quasi-experimental design. Study results are expected to reveal the reasons for the misfit between policies and practice and to highlight the importance of local level social dynamics, actors and institutions.