Social Impact Assessment (SIA) of the Project - “Habitat Restoration in Degraded Forest Lands Supporting Tribal Livelihoods and Community”

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the outcomes of FFS's efforts in restoring degraded forest lands, particularly in the context of biodiversity conservation and the socio-economic well-being of indigenous tribal communities.

The project titled "Habitat Restoration in Degraded Forest Lands Supporting Tribal Livelihoods and Community" by Forest First Samiti, is aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges in Wayanad, Kerala.

Assessment Objectives:

●       Ecological Assessment:

1.      Evaluate changes in vegetation cover, biodiversity specifically in eradicating invasive species and conserving native species resulting from FFS activities.

2.      Identify any ecosystem impacts resulting from FFS activities.

3.      Assessing the Project's Impact on Traditional Knowledge, Culture, and Lifestyle.

●       Social Impact Assessment:

1.      Measure the impact of project interventions on improving livelihoods, income generation, and overall socio-economic well-being within the Local tribal communities.

2.      Evaluate the Effectiveness of Community Engagement in habitat restoration activities and to understand their satisfaction on the FFS intervention.

3.      Assess the extent to which the intervention has contributed to community empowerment, resilience, and sustainable practices.

4.      Explore the involvement of women, disadvantaged groups, and the overall impact on local decision-making processes.

5.      To understand the project's influence on enhancing the Ecological knowledge of Habitat restores

Eradicate Invasive Species: Uprooting of invasive species, such as Senna spectabilis and Lantana camara, utilizing efficiency improvement tools and assisted natural regeneration techniques.

Improve Native and/or RET Floral Species Diversity: planting a diverse range of native and/or Rare, Endangered, and Threatened (RET) saplings across 200 acres of degraded land, with a focus on establishing at least 80 species.

Build Social Capital and Support Local Livelihoods: The project aims to engage local tribal communities from at least three tribal colonies in habitat restoration activities, providing livelihood opportunities and promoting traditional ecological knowledge.

Work in Progress