Institutional Inefficiencies and Forest Degradation in Protected Areas of Odisha: Evidence from Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

This article examines factors responsible for forest degradation in the protected areas (PAs) of Odisha by taking a case study of Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Lakhari WLS). The conservation status of the sanctuary and factors causing forest degradation are analysed on the basis of information collected from management plan of the sanctuary, maps generated from Google Earth, focus group discussions carried out with government officials and household-level surveys. It is found that the forest ecosystem in Lakhari WLS is degrading at an alarming rate which is mainly attributable to administrative inefficiencies, ill-defined property rights and low-level participation of households in the management process. These factors promoted unsustainable land use activities that cause deterioration in species richness, and severe food and water scarcity for the wild animals. It has serious livelihood implications, creating a conflicting relationship between the forest ecosystem and local households.