The project emphasizes to save the fast degrading biodiversity in the Gandhamardan Hill ranges by promoting eco-development activities in selected villages around the Gandhamardan Hills with focus on land, water and other natural resource development so that sustainable livelihood mechanisms can be ensured and thereby reducing the pressure on the already degrading forests. The project also incorporates to initiate a campaign to advocate for declaring Gandhamardan as sanctuary through formation of a ?Conservation and Livelihood Network?, capacity building of leaders of the network and leaders of other people?s institutions.
The Gandhamardan hill ranges, also called ?Ayurveda paradise? are considered to be India?s richest reserve of rare medicinal plants where, according to the BSI, there exist 220 plant species of medicinal value. But today, the Gandhamardan is fast losing its rich diversity since the area is threatened by herb smugglers, recurrent droughts and by gullible tribals who succumb to the large-scale demands for medicinal plants. What is most worrisome is that the threat of organized smuggling of medicinal plants is being done in such a way that it prevents further growth of the species. Moreover, faulty methods of harvesting medicinal plants are also taking a toll on them. The lives and livelihoods of 1.3 million people directly and indirectly depend on these forests. There are 30% people who are landless, who depend heavily on these forests. This project therefore has initiated socio-economic and eco-development activities in 10 tribal dominated villages and wide-scale awareness activities covering 30 villages to promote biodiversity conservation.