Abstract
The World Bank funded Velugu programme, designed to increase socio-economic opportunities for the poorest of the poor, including the tribals, to develop their capacities, organise institutions for them, and support economic development activities, is in operation in 22 districts of Andhra Pradesh. Eradication of child labour and promotion of female education too were elements of the programme, and bio diversity programmes were also carried out in villages with access to forests. We report here on how Velegu impacted on the Yanadi, a most backward tribe in southern Andhra Pradesh, on the basis of our study of the Chenchu Lakshmi Colony of the Rajula Kandriga hamlet of Chittoor district, comprising 28 Yanadi families. Our study shows that conservation of forest biodiversity was combined with a maximum exploitation of marketing avenues and the elimination of middleman. The Yanadi were organised into Self Help Groups, which led to an increase in the quality of life, eradication of the scourge of alcoholism, elimination of child labour and the empowerment of women.
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