Highlighting the Constraints Faced by the Tribal People in the Bio-Diversity Conservation of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

The goal of the current study was to find out the constraints faced by the tribal people in conservation of bio-diversity in Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. The study was carried out in two blocks namely Pethanaickenpalayam block in Salem district and Jawadhu hill block in Thiruvannamalai districts respectively. A survey of 182 tribal respondents in the research region and the preparation of a list of constraints related to the conservation of biodiversity were both undertaken. The indiscriminate removal of trees, conversion of forest land to agriculture, increased use of plant protection and production chemicals, expansion of human settlements in environmentally sensitive areas, and land fragmentation were found to be the main obstacles to the preservation of biodiversity. Suitable suggestions to overcome the identified constraints are Permit for grazing in to the forest ensures the soil health as well as reduces soil erosion and it increases soil fertility, creating awareness about the importance of the forest, which will prevent the deforestation and felling of trees in the forest area, strict restriction of encroachment of forest cover for both tribal and non-tribal people, regulation of the practices like excess usage of chemical fertilizer and pesticides and promotion of ITK practices to ensure the bio-diversity conservation.