Phasepardhis, one of the wandering tribes of the Maharashtra         region, have traditionally been hunters, until the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 rendered this option illegal. With no alternate livelihood and no help from the government, many have turned to poaching and international trade in animal skins.

Samvedana, an organization for Phasepardhi and Chitrakathi tribals, is working to help them earn a living in new ways. Seeing people in Masa and Vadhavi move on their own into animal husbandry and nomadic trading, Kaustubh, working with Samvedana, is helping to replicate models of alternate employment in Wadala, Titwa, Shend, Kanadi, and Nawati.

Other initiatives planned by Samvedana include preparing a ‘Peoples biodiversity register’ of the grassland species in Akola and Washim, creating awareness on sustainable use and conservation of grasslands, and experimenting in-situ conservation efforts for the Lesser Florican, an endangered bird under severe threat from changes due to land use.

Interestingly, to protect the Lesser Florican, Samvedana plans to start an incentive scheme, rewarding successful breeding of the species by farmers and Phasepardhis (former hunters), eventually planning to hand over the scheme to the State Government.

Ipsita De, a consultant in College Park, visited Samvedana in May. AID Portland, Bay Area and Boise are supporting Samvedana's livelihood work ($18,000).