Mission Conservation: Paradise in Periyar
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 607

The Periyar Tiger reserve in the southern Indian state of Kerala is one the richest wild life sanctuaries in India. Its tropical rain forests have been home to elephants, lion tailed macaques, malabar squirrel , more than 315 bird species and almost 2000 species of flowering plants. But it is also been the domain of some of the most notorious poachers who have plundered the sandal wood forests, killed a large number of animals and felled innumerable trees for timber . But then things changed…The Kerala forest department and World Bank embarked on a unique eco tourism project, which helped these notorious poachers to become tourist guides and protectors of the forests. The "Periyar Tiger Trail" as it is called, has become immensely successful since it puts the task of conservation on the shoulders of these former poachers . Today there are 22 reformed poachers working as eco-tour guides. They take the tourists on an adventure trek in the forests, acquainting them with the rich flora and fauna as well as pitch tents and cook food for them. Their unique knowledge of every nook and corner of the jungle make them invaluable guides. These reformed poachers are now the eyes and ears of the forest department in combating poaching. They provide crucial information about poaching to the authorities and have also physically intervened at considerable personal peril.