Factors influencing participation of tribes in the activities of forest development agencies in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, there were 32 Forest Development Agencies were functioning in 12 Forest Circles. Coimbatore forest circle is the one in which three FDAs were established and this formed the study area. The study was carried out in Coimbatore Forest Circle following a Multi Stage Random Sampling technique by selecting three hundred tribal households. FDAs were implementing several activities with the participation of tribes to avert man-animal conflicts and to improve the socio economic status of tribes. This study was focusing on documenting the activities and the participation of tribes in those activities. Among the activities, erection of Elephant trenches, plantation development and the Project Elephant schemes implemented by both Forest and Line Department officials have imparted some impacts in reducing the Man-Animal Conflicts by promoting higher employment generation. Because of higher employment opportunities, the participation of tribes were much influenced in FDA activities which are statistically significant at one per cent level. Besides, impact of FDA implementation, Plantation development activities and wild life protection measures are also discussed.