Assessing Employment Generation for Indigenous Communities in a Protected Area Landscape: Evidence from Amrabad Tiger Reserve, India
Bheemreddyvalla Venkateshwar Reddy
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Telangana, 502 279, India.
Mhaiskar Priya Rajendra *
Department of Forest Ecology & Climate Science, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Telangana, 502 279, India.
Milkuri Chiranjeeva Reddy
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Telangana, 502 279, India.
C. Sudhakar Reddy
National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Balnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500 625, India.
Kapil Sihag
Department of Forest Products & Utilization, College of Horticulture & Forestry (Agriculture University Kota), Jhalawar, 326 023, India.
Rohith Ravula
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Telangana, 502 279, India.
Katikala Anish
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Telangana, 502 279, India.
Yerrawada Naveen
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Telangana, 502 279, India.
Sachin Kumar
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Telangana, 502 279, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The present study aimed to assess employment generation as a direct-use ecosystem service of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, India, and to examine its role in supporting local livelihoods and strengthening conservation outcomes across forest divisions.
Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study based on records analysis and field verification.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Achampet, Amrabad, and Nagarjuna Sagar forest divisions of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, India, during 2023–2025.
Methodology: Employment data were obtained through systematic analysis of Forest Department administrative records, supplemented by field-level verification and structured interactions with divisional officials. Employment was classified into functional categories including forest protection and patrolling, fire prevention and control, wildlife rescue and monitoring, administrative support, vehicle operations, and ecotourism services. Division-wise and category-wise employment distribution was analyzed to assess spatial variation and livelihood significance.
Results: The Amrabad Tiger Reserve generated direct employment for 381 individuals, with the Amrabad Division contributing the highest share (234 individuals; 61.4%), followed by Achampet (113; 29.7%) and Nagarjuna Sagar (34; 8.9%). Labour-intensive roles dominated the employment structure, notably base camp helpers (140; 36.7%), Tiger Conservation Force personnel (89; 23.4%), fire watchers (50; 13.1%), and drivers (24; 6.3%). Ecotourism-related employment accounted for 24 positions (6.3%), comprising nature guides and ecotourism drivers. The majority of jobs were accessible to local and forest-dependent communities, indicating strong livelihood linkage.
Conclusion: Employment generation represents a significant socio-economic benefit of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, contributing to livelihood security, reducing reliance on extractive forest use, and fostering community participation in conservation. A key limitation of the study is its reliance on officially recorded employment data, which may underestimate informal or seasonal livelihood opportunities linked to conservation activities.
Keywords: Amrabad Tiger Reserve, indigenous communities, conservation, livelihood, employment generation