Indigenous Communities and Tourism Activities in Andhra Pradesh - A Study

Dr. A.Raghu
Abstract
The Andhra Pradesh is a home for 33 tribal communities and they are distributed in the 9
districts. Major source of their livelihood depend on the collection of Non Timber Forest
Produces like gums, resins, seeds, leaves, roots of the medicinal plants. Traditionally they are
original dwellers of the forests. In a real context it may be suitable to say that their life and forest
are intervened. The relation between the indigenous people and the forest is inseparable. The
changing dimensions of the life demands them to have a shift in the nature of their activities. An
attempt is made in this research paper to know the present occupations and sources of income of
the tribal people. They are endowed with certain legal rights over the forest resources and land.
The status of implementing the acts and regulations related to the protection of the tribal
communities. In order to search the alternative sources of income a detailed study is conducted.
The data related to the tribal life, livelihoods, income sources, rights and legal protection
provided by the Government has to be analyzed and the observations has to be presented.
Key Words:
Indigenous
sustainable development

people,legalization,

Rights, Tourism

activities,

*Assistant Professor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Annupur, M.P.
groups. Visakhapatnam is district is having the highest number scheduled villages and
Mahabubnagar is having the least, with regard to area. Khammam district is having largest
geographic area under scheduled areas.

Scope of Study:
The study is focused on the earning sources of the tribal people living in the 9 districts of Andhra
Pradesh. Data related to their way of living and the support extended by the government
agencies in the form of schemes is also recorded. Information related to the social-cultural
conditions and their relation with the social security is analyzed.

Methodology:
In order to fulfill with the set objectives the data was collected from the secondary and primary
sources. The primary data was collected through the personal interviews with the community
members who are purely depended on collection of non forest timber products for their
livelihood. The desk research is carried out to collect the Secondary data. It was collected from
various published sources like, project reports, articles in research journals, newspaper articles,
books, monographs, reports prepared by government agencies and reports submitted by non-

government agencies, etc, as well as from the internet and websites of organizations. The
secondary data includes the Constitutional safeguards, legal framework, violations and
proposed policy shifts that are of relevance for the tribal communities and tourism development
activities.

Study Background:
The state of Andhra Pradesh is situated in a tropical region between the latitudes 13 to 20 North
and the longitudes 77 to 85 East and is bounded by the Bay of Bengal in East with a coastal line
of 960 k.m. Orissa and Madhya Pradesh bound it in the North side. In the South, the State is
bounded by Tamil Nadu, in the West by Maharashtra and Karnataka, and in the East by the Bay
of Bengal.(Andhra Pradesh Census Report 2011) The majority of the people speak Telugu, the
local language of Andhra Pradesh. Most of the tribal populations live in the hilly areas, which are
clearly demarcated from the plains, rural and urban areas, geographically. However, there are
some tribes which live in plain areas also (Parthasarathy 1988; Radhakrishna 2000) The state
consists of 23 districts and has been divided into three regions, viz., Coastal Andhra, which
comprises of 9 districts, Rayalaseema, which consists of 4 districts and Telengana, which covers
10 districts. The present study is carried out in the state of Andhra Pradesh in which 9 districts
are inhabited with the tribal population. The demographic profile of the tribes of Andhra Pradesh
is given below.

Literature Review:
(Hinch and Butler 1996) pointed out that indigenous tourism refers to tourism activities in which
indigenous people are directly involved either through control and/or by having their culture
serve as the essence of the attraction.(Valene Smith 1996) has developed a set of analytic tools to
assess the indigenous tourism potential in a specific setting as a first step in policy decision
making and management. (Ryan & Huyton, 2000b) Nevertheless, more research on tourist
preferences in indigenous tourism has been conducted in Australia than in other locations.
(Notzke, C. 1999) explained the recent trends of the indigenous tourism communities of the
Canadas Western Arctic Region. (Grekin, J., and S. Milne 1996) has identified the problems
and prospects of tourism and this ecotourism can protect the cultures of the indigenous people. It
is very essential to have the balanced development of the tourism activities. The tourism without
any negative impacts will continue to sustain. (Epler Wood, M. 1999) opined that the
government has provided hassle free policies to development the tourism in the ecotourism zones
with the help of the indigenous communities. (Anderson, R. B. 2003) advocated of behalf the
land rights of the indigenous people. From the centuries onwards these indigenous people resided
in the forest with their traditional cultures. (ESCCH Rights, 1993) The article 21 of the report
declares that the indigenous communities have all legal rights to maintain and develop their
political, economic and political systems. These rights are provided them to maintain their social
system, by which they can protect their individuality.(McLaren 1999) highlight the ecotourism is
a phenomenon which has to be developed according to the principles lay down by the theory of
ecotourism. But the basic development of the ecotourism is not suitable to the logic of the
capitalist view point. This aspect of the practical development of the destination and the process
is not suitable to the indigenous communities. (Altman 1993) believed that ownership of land

should be given to the indigenous communities. They should have the liberty to develop their
land according to the interest without disturbing the larger interest of the industry. This facility
is not only helps the owner, but it is the opportunity to provide the services to the tourists and
visitors.

Constitutional Bodies for Tribal Development:

(Baiju, K.C. 2011) The Constitution of India has provided many privileges to the scheduled
tribes considering their complex problems in terms of geographical isolation, socio-economic
backwardness, distinctive culture, poor infrastructure
facilities,
language
and
religion, exploitation by various groups. Tribal population is the aboriginal inhabitants of India
who have been living a life based on the natural environment and have cultural patterns
congenial to their physical and social environment. The term scheduled tribe is primarily an
administrative and constitutional concept. The constitution has provided authority to
constitute National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Tribal Welfare Department, Government
of Andhra Pradesh, Integrated Tribal Development Agencies and Modified Area Development
Approach.
Ministry of Tribal Welfare, Government of India:
(Kyndiah, 2009 )The ministry of tribal affairs was constituted in October,1999 by bifurcation of
Ministry of social justice and Empowerment with objective of more focused attention on
integrated socio economic development of the most under privileged sections of Indian society,
the scheduled tribes (STs), in a coordinated and planned manner. The ministry started
functioning in October 1999 with the schemes/ programmes dealt by erstwhile Tribal division of
the Ministry of the social justice and empowerment and continued with these schemes upto the

year 1999 2000. The process of the constitution of the National level Tribal Development
Finance Corporation by bifurcation of National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Finance
and Development Corporation (NSFDC) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has
been completed during the year 2001 - 2002
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes:
(NCST Report, 2008) The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established
by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the
Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. By this amendment, the erstwhile National
Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate
Commissions namely- (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and (ii) the
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. 19 February, 2004.
National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation:
(Dwivedi, 2010), (Gupta & Gupta, 2006) The Government of India set up the National
Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation in April 2001 by bifurcating the
National Scheduled Castes and Tribes Financial Development Corporation. The NSTFDC is a
Government of India undertaking registered under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act ,
1956, as a non-profit company with a authorized share capital of Rs 500 Crores.
Tribal Advisory Council:
(Pandey 2008),(Thakur & Thakur 2009) It is a body to provide suggestions to State Tribal
Welfare Ministry for Formulating and implementing the policies. It also plans and implements
the development programmes of tribal welfare department. According to the section 4 of 5 th
Schedule in Constitution of India, there is provision of constitution for constitution Tribal
Advisory Councils in all states having Scheduled areas, TAC can be constituted in the in those
states too, which do not have scheduled areas, but have tribal concentration.
Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh:
Tribal Welfare Department, Departmental Manual, (2000) Directorate for Tribal Welfare was
created separately by bifurcating from Social Welfare Department in the year 1966 vide
G.O.Ms.No.2710, dated 14-11-1966 of Education Department. In pursuance of the orders of the
Government in the said GO, the Director of Social Welfare in his Proceedings Rc.No.44598/66,
dated 20-05-1967 distributed the posts between Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Departments
to enable newly formed Tribal Welfare Department to function.
Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA):
ITDA is a government agency which was specifically setup to address the development needs of
tribal population with in their agency areas (Pamela MacKenzie, 2006). The main objective of

ITDA is socio-economic development of tribal communities through income generating schemes

allied with Infrastructure Development programmes and protection of the tribal communities

against exploitation. At the district level also, the governing body of ITDA co-ordinate the
general sector departments with that of the ITDA (Thakur & Thakur 2009). ITDA is the main
agency for planning and implementation of the tribal sub plan activities a project level committee
is constituted. The work of ITDA is multidisciplinary in nature (Panda 2006). ITDA also spends
handsome amount of money for the educational facilities of tribes (Yadappanavar, 2003). The
main objectives of ITDAs i.e. socio-economic development of tribal communities through
income generating schemes allied with infrastructure development programmes and protection of
tribal communities against exploitation. The ITDAs are in operation in eight districts viz:
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Khammam,
Warangal, and Adilabad, (Srinivasa Rao, Muthaiyan. 2013) Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)
was created by the government of Andhra Pradesh to maintain age the ashrama schools and to
improve educational access for the tribal groups. They also distribute free textbooks, uniforms
and learning materials to the students. (Government Indian, 1972) Government of India has
created policies for tribal development and to suggest an alternative framework for the socioeconomic development. They have created a committee to recommend the suggestive measures
for tribal development. The recommendation of this expert committee provided new orientation
to tribal development and the emergence of the concept of the Tribal Sub-Plan, (Government
Indian, 1977)
The establishment of ITDA has brought significant changes in the socio-cultural context of tribal
communities of Andhra Pradesh. It has been able to bring the administration closer to the
community, which is resulted in the increased interaction. This development process has brought
significant changes and awareness among the tribal communities about the schemes introduced
by the ITDA (Sujatha,1992). Maximum people who belong to the tribal communities are
educated and they themselves are come in contact with the official to know about the different
schemes for their social and economic development. In education, the facilities provided by the
tribal welfare department are free education, provision of incentives, Ashram schools, hostels
etc., even if many of them have not been sending their children to school, so gradually the
dependency on the forest for their livelihood is decreasing (Sujatha,1992). Intensive and
diversified socio-economic development programmes under ITDA not only brought the about
changes in their economic levels, but also introduced them to a monetary economy. The efforts
made by ITDA to replacing the barter system, has increased their exposure to the market and
interaction with the non- tribal population. Their interaction with development agencies and nontribal communities led them to realize their inability to interact due to the lack of formal
education. (Sujata, 1999)
Modified Area Development Approach (MADA):
MADA has been sanctioned in G.O.Ms.No.581, Social Welfare Department, dated 28-07-1985,
with Headquarters at Nalgonda and Mannanur of Mahabubnagar district (Government of Andhra
Pradesh, 2000). These are identified pockets of ST population containing 50% or more ST
population within a total population of minimum of 10,000. The line Departments of the State
Government are expected to implement development programmes in MADA pockets under the
overall control of the District authorities (Srinivasa Rao, Muthaiyan. 2013). Modified Area
Development Approach aims at development of tribes staying outside the ITDA areas.

Tribes and Rights:

The tribal communities are regarded as encroachers on forest land. In many cases, however, it
would be more accurate to say that the forest is encroaching on their traditional rights of the
indigenous people living in the forest for centuries onwards (Jean Dreze, 2005). As a recent letter
of the Ministry of Environment and Forests on traditional rights of tribals on forest lands The
tribal rights are very difficult to conceptualize (Amit Prakash, 2007). The tribal children right
are linked to respect for the human rights. In the Indian context tribal childrens rights are more
likely to get realised if rights of tribal communities are holistically recognised and fulfilled. The
following problems faced by tribal communities in India make it extremely difficult for tribal
children to gain entry and sustain within the mainstream education system.(Amit Prakesh, 2007).
The Indian Forest Act, 1927, states that the Government can constitute any forest land or waste
land which is the property of Government or Government has proprietary rights. The government
can declare any forest land or Government land into a reserved forest. The Commercial interests
of the then British Government motivated it to declare more and more lands as reserved forests,
without addressing the rights of the tribals and other forest dwellers, (Amit Prakesh, 2007).
Even after independence in 1947, during the process of annexation of princely states, the activity
of consolidation of government forests continued. The State Governments / UT Administrations
proclaimed the lands of ex-princely states and the zamindar-lands as Reserved Forests. However,
no effective steps were taken to simultaneously settle the rights of tribals and other forests
dwellers (Amit Prakesh, 2007).
The Fifth Schedule of Indian Constitution:
The term Scheduled Areas denotes the tribal regions to which either the Fifth Schedule or the
Sixth Schedule applies. The two Schedules have very different mechanisms for governing their
jurisdictional areas (Apoorv Kurup, 2008). Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
(PESA). It has mandated the states in India to devolve certain political, administrative and
financial powers to local governments, which was elected by the tribal communities in their
jurisdiction. The Act was considered as one of the most progressive laws passed since
independence, granting tribal communities with radical powers to preserve their traditions,
culture and entrusting them with the authority to manage their community based natural
resources (Apoorv Kurup, 2008).
As per the Fifth Schedule the President holds the power to direct the whole or any specified part
of a Scheduled Area. He may cease to be a Scheduled Area or a part of such an area; increase the
area of a Scheduled Area after consultation with the Governor of the state. The issues related to
the alter the boundaries can be done only by way of rectification (Seema Mundoli, 2011).
Fifth Schedule Areas are part of the states in which they are situated. However, the Governor
may make regulations for the peace and good governance of these areas that include regulations
that (1) prohibit or restrict the transfer of land by or among members of the scheduled tribes
(STs) in such area; (2) regulate the allotment of land to members of the STs in such area; (3)

regulate the carrying on of business as moneylender by persons who lend money to members of
the STs in such area. In framing these regulations the Governor is required to consult with the
Tribes Advisory Council (TAC). The Governor is also required to make submission annually or
when required to the President on matters with regard to administration of the Scheduled Areas
under his jurisdiction. (Seema Mundoli, 2011)
The Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Areas Land Transfer Regulation 1959 and Amendments:
The tribal areas in Andhra Pradesh saw several rebellious movements against the oppression by
moneylenders, exploitative landlords, gajirdars, zamindars and fudallords. The Ganjam and
Vizagapatnam Act 1839 was enacted as result of the widespread unrest in the tribal areas of the
northern districts of the then Madras Presidency. As per this Act the tribal areas were removed
from the purview of the general laws and the Collector, as an Agent to the state government, was
vested with extraordinary powers. Exploitation of tribal people persisted with resulting escalation
in rebellion and the Agency Tracts Interest and Land Transfer Act 1917 was enacted as a
response to these disturbances. The objective of the Act was to regulate the transfer of land in the
tribal areas. The Act prohibited the transfer of land between tribal people and non-tribals without
the prior consent of the Agent (to the Government) or a prescribed officer. (Seema Mundoli,
2011)
Samata Judgment:
Samatha Judgment On 11 July 1997, after a two and a half year battle, the full bench of the
Supreme Court in a Special Leave Petition, gave a historic judgment in favour of the tribal
people of India. The Samatha Judgment3 is a landmark judgment and of great significance in the
fight of tribal peoples for their land and resource rights (Mishra, Reddy, 2009), The Fifth
Schedule of the Constitution of India deals with the administration and control of Scheduled
Areas and Scheduled Tribes in these areas. In the landmark Samata Judgment of 1997, the
Supreme Court ruled that the state has no right to grant leases even on government-owned forest
land to private companies on areas governed by the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, and that
only cooperative societies solely run by Scheduled Tribes could mine in such areas, subject to
compliance with the Forest Conservation Act and the Forest Protection Act. As a result of the
judgment, the AP Government was directed to stop all private mining within Scheduled Areas.
(Mishra, Reddy, 2009).
Forests Rights Act 2006:
The recent legislation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights ) Act, (Forest Rights Act or just FRA hereafter), enacted by the
Indian Parliament in 2006 and coming into force with the publication of the Rules on December
31st 2007, represents an institutional intervention seeking to redress the historic Injustice
(Indranil Bose, 2010), The purpose of the Act is to recognise the rights of forest-dwelling
communities and the tribal population and to encourage their participation in the conservation
and management of forests and wildlife resources (Government of India, 2004).

The Act grants legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities and
tribal population. It is the victory of the people living in the forest, they have struggled a lot in
the history of India. It is a revolutionary step made by the central government. It is a
revolutionary attempt to correct the historical injustice and suffered by these tribal communities
as a result of forest laws. It is also a first step towards giving communities and the public a voice
in forest and wildlife conservation. (Unnikrishnan, 2009) The Act recognises three rightsright
to land, user rights and right towards protection and conservation. It recognizes individual and
collective rights of tribal people and other traditional forest dwellers. Those who have been
involved in cultivating land prior to 13 December 2005 are eligible for pattas on lands subject to
a maximum of 4 ha (9.88 acres). (Government of India, 2006) The land to which title deeds are
given, will be held in joint ownership by both husband and wife, and cannot be sold but only
transferred though inheritance. The Act provides the right to forest dwelling communities
including the STs, to collect NTFP traditionally collected by them (this excludes timber), and
access to grazing grounds and water bodies. The Act further gives communities the right to
protect and conserve their forests; protection prior to the Act was the sole prerogative of the
Forest Department (Gogia 2002).
Observations and Discussions:
The forests are considered as important source of natural resources. Economic value of the forest
is also calculated by economists and environmentalists. The forests of Andhra Pradesh are
divided into six types. The forest areas of Andhra Pradesh are largely located in the 8 districts of
Andhra Pradesh. Maximum of the scheduled tribes are inhabited in those eight districts. (Reddy
et al. 2004) These districts are very less developed, when compared with the rest of the districts
of Andhra Pradesh. The Government has facilitated the marginalized communities to understand
the contemporary world, so that they can view the changes and trends in the society. The
government has created various constitutional bodies for the support of the indigenous people in
the forest areas. The era of pre and post independence has not given sufficient support to the
people living in the forests. Their rights on the forest were not recognized in the colonial period
and after independence also. The indigenous communities living in the forest areas have done a
great struggle for their rights and protection. After a very long advocacy by different sectors of
the society, the government has given some special facilities and provisions. But it very clearly
evident that the rules, regulations, policies and recommendations of various committees
constituted by the government have not given desired results. For that the reasons may be high
grade of selfishness, illiteracy, innocence, etc.
The Constitution of the India under Article 46 contemplate that a State shall promote with
special care the Educational and Economic interests of the weaker sections and in particular of
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and protect them from social injustice and exploitation
in all forms. The state and central government has constituted committees to suggest the
recommendation for the upliftment of the tribal communities and marginalized people. On the
suggestion of the committees the government has constituted, Tribal Advisory council, National
Schedule Tribes Finance and development corporation, Integrated Tribal Development Agency,
Modified Area Development Approach, Ministry of Tribal Welfare under the state and central
Government. All The bodies are working towards the upliftment of the tribal people. The

Ganjam and Vizagapatnam Act 1839The Forest policy in 1865,

1894,

The

Forest

policy

Easement Act 1884, Agency Tracts Interest and Land Transfer Act 1917, the Forest Act 1927,
The Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Areas Land Transfer Regulation 1959, z The Andhra Pradesh
Panchayat Raj Act 1994, Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (or PESA), Forest
Rights Act, 2006,
The Constitution of India, with the nature of the federalism has provided a comprehensive
framework for the social and economical development of Scheduled Tribes. It also helps in
preventing them form exploitation by other groups of society. It provides the necessary and for
the rights of tribal peoples in Articles 15, 16, 17 and 23 of the constitution.
Before
the independence the acts and rules introduced by the British East India Company has
created troubles to the indigenous communities in Andhra Pradesh. After 1950 the Government
of India and different state governments has tried their level best to protect the indigenous
communities. The schemes introduced by the state government of Andhra Pradesh provided the
skill based trainings, financial assistance, matching grants and all other has helped the
indigenous people to make their lives. The establishment of ITDA and MADA has become a
crucial step in the empowerment of tribal communities. They have provided the Ashrama
Schools, Tribal schools with hostel facility, The Forest Rights Act, 2006, which is described as
a revolutionary step of the government in independent India, This act has empowered the tribal
communities to collect the Non Timber Forest Produces form the forests for their livelihood.
(Pandey, Chellam, 2010) The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 has not taken into account the fact that hundreds of
forest dwelling scheduled tribes face charges under different provisions of the draconian Forest
Conservation Act of 1980 for accessing minor produce. Although the Scheduled Tribes and
Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 ensures tenurial
security and legitimizes the scheduled tribes' ownership over the minor forest produce and their
role in the conservation of forest, it failed to address charges/prosecution pending against the
tribals under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 and Indian Forest Act of 1927 with
retrospective effect. The government of Andhra Pradesh has granted licenses to do mining in the
Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh for the Jindal Company.
Status of Tribes in Andhra Pradesh:
The main occupation of the tribal people who live in the state of Andhra Pradesh is to collect the
raw material for their livelihood and daily diet. They are traditionally food gatherers, hunters
podu agriculture and other traditional practices. Mainly they collect the Non Tiber Forest Product
(NTFP) and sell it to the depots of the ITDA or any other government related agency. The life of
the forest dwellers is at cross roads. The people of the forest depend on the forest for their
livelihood. The forests in Andhra Pradesh are having different types of flora, fauna, type of
vegetation, landscape, terrain. The life of the tribal people depends on the geography, topography
and the resources available in the forest. The traditional earnings of the tribal people depend on
the cultivation, collection and trading of the products available in the forest.
The government has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of R.S.Malayappan to
suggest the recommendations of the empowerment of the tribal communities. In pursuance of the
recommendations of the conference of the officials and nonofficials held at the Secretariat in

December, 1949, the Government appointed a committee headed by Sri R.S.Malayappan,

Special Agency Development Officer to tour the Agency areas and select suitable sites for Tribal
Development Schemes such as improvement of Forests, Plantations, Irrigation, Hydro-Electric
Projects and exploitation of Mineral resources.
The government has taken due care to make the tribals empowered with the financial,
educational resources. The legal protection and the support is also extended to safeguard the
interests of the indigenous communities. But the tribes are facing problems related to health
issues, economic injustice, quality education, infrastructural facilities, etc. The land has become
a very essential and rear commodity in the present days, but due to innocence of the tribal
people, the mainstream people are finding different ways to become owner of the lands in the
tribal areas. In Andhra Pradesh is also called 1/70 act. Some of the non-tribals are also marrying
the tribals to become owner of the land in tribal areas. Inspite of spending good amount of
money through various mechanisms the tribes are still facing problems related to land, liberty,
etc. Price issues related to the NTFP are also one of the important issues. No doubt the
Government, non-government organization with other facilitators a drastic change is seen in the
living status of the tribal population. But this is not enough when compared to the rapid changes
occurring in the society. The facilities provided at present is not sufficient, certainly there is great
need for the search of alternative income sources for the tribals people to fill the gap. It is
suggested and recommended that the development of tourism related actives in the forest is a
suitable tool to facilitate the indigenous and marginalized communities living in the forest areas
of Andhra Pradesh.
Tourism development in Tribal Areas of Andhra:
(Jayesh Ranjan, 2010) The subsidiary of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra
Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation limited has taken initiative of identifying potential
eco-tourism destinations, where the tribal people can be involved for the community based
tourism in the state. It has successfully implemented a number of popular eco-tourism projects
by involving the local community, at Belum caves, revamping of Borra caves, and an exotic
jungle destination (Jungle Bells at Tyda in Visakhapatnam District), maradumilli in East
Godavari District and Kolluru in West Godavari district. The above initiatives have yielded
excellent results and provided good support to rural livelihoods and provide opportunity to the
tourist for interacting with the local communities in sharing the local knowledge about primitive
culture and traditions and bio-diversity in the area. The projects also have thrown open
opportunities to the local tribal youth, ethnic minorities and women who participate in operating
the eco-tourism projects on a community basis and sharing the benefits.
(Jayesh Ranjan, 2010) The eco-tourism projects are rural based and situated in eco-sensitive
regions, They provide opportunity to the tourist to know about the flora, fauna, and
environmental assets of the rural communities. It is great opportunity to showcase their local
traditions, art forms and ethnic cuisine. The Government of Andhra Pradesh and all the
stakeholders of the destination and community based tourism project are very carefully
preserving their resources. The landscapes of the tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh are very
beautiful. The Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation, Andhra Pradesh Tourism

Development Corporation and other Government organization are very strictly following the
integrated green constructions technologies and temporary structures to preserve the natural

beauty and environment while creating infrastructure and facilities for tourists that fit in with the
natural surroundings. Andhra Pradesh is encouraging community-based eco-tourism in
convergence with various stakeholders from the government departments and the community.
The Forest Department under their Community Forest Management Program supports the
initiative by providing opportunities for jungle walks, forest retreats, wildlife tourism, bird
watching and trekking.
Suggestions and Recommendations:
It is understood that the tribal communities, marginalized people, habituated to live in the forest.
Their dependency is on the forest and the natural resources available in the forest. From the
centuries onwards their life in depended on the forest, by the way of collecting the NTFP from
the minor and major forests. Some of the tribal families have agricultural land, their whole
livelihood depends on the agricultural earning of that year, in addition to that they also collect
the NTFP form the forest and they sell it. Large number of the indigenous people makes their
livelihood only through the collection of NTFP from the forest, they but the food, clothing and
essential medicines with their income. There are some family without any agricultural land, they
are leading their life as agricultural labours. The Government of India has introduced the
Mahatma Gandhi Nation Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the land less poor. This type
of people purely depends on the collection of NTFP. Finally it understood that after the sufficient
work done by the different organization for the uplift of the tribal communities, 90 % of the
people are land less poor working as a daily labours as following purely traditional practices for
their livelihood. After providing different schemes, support, financial support in the form of
grants, incentives, the rural and indigenous communities facing problems for their livelihoods.
NTFPs collection and selling for extra income has its greater impact on the rural tribe economy
of the tribal hamlets and villages. Hence there is an urgent need of sustainable management of
forest resources.
The government has granting the opportunity to some of the companies to do actives in the forest
areas. They should be very cautious in granting this type of permissions. At present the
government is taking good care and special schemes to protect the economy of the tribal people.
But here it is very important to understand the living status of tribal people and their way of life.
It is better that without disturbing the traditional way of life the government should search for
alternative methods of livelihoods in that one of the best and most suitable activates are Tourism
activities in the forest areas.
The community based tourism projects should be
initiated by involving the community members of the resident villages. It helps them to increase
their income and standards of life. It should be a serious agenda on the development status of the
state government to implement the rights of the tribal peoples and the support for the collection
of the NFTP. Simultaneously the involvement of the tribal communities in the tourism related
business actives should be encouraged and facilitated. This strategy can be use as a toll by
both the stakeholders. The total dependency of the tribal people on the forest is slow diverted by
initiating the tourism activities. Mainly it is submitted that some of the marginalized people are
utilization of the forest resources for illegal trade. The prevention of this illegal trade is possible
through the community participation. The resources of the forests are preserved and

protected, because directly their livelihood depends on the resources of the forest. But at the
same time the interest

and the rights of the indigenous people should be protected for the sustainable existence of the
forest resources.
Conclusion:
The indigenous communities are the inhabitants of the forest lands. Traditionally they are
habituated to collect the Non Timber Forest Produces from the forest. They sell the products in
the depot of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency. It is the constitutional body established
by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to empower the tribal and marginalized communities. It
provides medical, educational, and other schemes for the livelihood of the tribal communities.
The Government of India and Andhra Pradesh has introduced different acts and legalization in
support of the tribal people. These regulations are related to protection of the land rights,
financial assistance, livelihoods schemes, rights to collect NTFP, Non transfer of tribal lands.
The Government is investing all the possible efforts without fail to protect the rights of the
indigenous people. The strategy for the protection of the ingenious communities is to see that,
the dependency of the tribal communities on the forest has to be diverted. The alternative source
of livelihood may the involvement of tribal communities in the tourism related activities. The
main resources of the development and implement the tourism projects are the forest resources,
these resources enable them to perform the activities like trekking, development of eco-tourism
zones, jungle walk, night hacking, wildlife viewing and nature trails are some of the viable
activities in the forests of Andhra Pradesh. This tourism activity helps them to earn money and
creates the ownership of the resources. The protection of the rights of the tribal people and
support their minimum living facilities and provide additional income through allied activities
like tourism help them to empower. Finally the comfortable life of the tribal people helps in
conservation of the forest resources and leads to the sustainable co-existence of the indigenous
communities and forest resources.
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