Project Highlights

People’s participation: Participatory development is being led by 597 PIs that include 5,206 Executive Members. Almost very third person in Attappady is associated with some PI of the project. People are involved right from planning to execution of activities.

High women participation: 63 percent of the representatives in Executive Committees of various PIs are women. Women actively participate in all activities, particularly in social corrective measures.

High tribal participation: 85 percent of tribes are represented in the Executive Committees of PIs. The 166 OVS ensure full participation of all tribal groups in the developmental activities.

Good governance: Equitable and transparent implementation arrangements enable the benefits of the project reach the most deserving masses. Regular annual General Body meetings make the Executive Committees accountable to the beneficiaries. Democratic organization of PIs and annual social audits enhance good governance.

Watershed approach: The fact that development activities are based on total watershed conservation and development ensures better integration and judicious distribution of financial and human resources.

Integrated approach: The various ecological and socio economic components of the project are implemented in an integrated manner through multi-disciplinary teams, responsible for taking spot decisions.

Adaptive management: In the absence of suitable replicable models for eco-restoration, the experience of AHADS evolved through its own design is a constant source of inspiration. ‘Doing through learning and learning through doing’ are the guiding principles for adapting strategies and approaches in the project implementation.

Empowering people as instrument of distributive justice: Through various out reach actions such as constant awareness programmes, trainings, exposure visits, environment literacy, dropout reduction, equitable distribution of benefits among beneficiaries etc., the project attempts to improve social capital, thereby creating new avenues for development planning and implementation in this backward region. The project takes special care of the marginalized and backward people so as to enhance their capacities and skills to regenerate environment and take development to their doorsteps.