Nabarangpur

The district of Nabarangpur came in to existence on 2nd October 1992 after being carved out of Koraput district.The district is predominantly inhabited by tribal groups and the basic source of livelihood is from agriculture and NTFP collection. Cultivation and agricultural labourer families comprise nearly 83.07% of the work force.

There are a number of development issues which impact upon the people living here, including:
  • Forest degradation, with widespread reduction in forest land.
  • Cash cropping, heavy use of chemical fertiliser and pesticides, and a reduction in land fertility.
  • Lack of security of tenure over agricultural, forest and common land.
  • Labour migration .
  • Widespread private money lending with high interest rates.
  • Tribal people can be subject to social and economic exploitation by non-tribals and outsiders.
  • Lack of proper implementation of food and social security schemes, and other government initiatives.
  • Low literacy levels, particularly among women, SCs and STs (literacy rates of SCs and STs are below 5%).
RCDC started its work here in 1994, in Dabugam block. The focus was on mobilising communities for forest preservation and for developing forest-based livelihoods. Gradually we became involved in other activities, such as the facilitation of NTFP collection and marketing, the promotion of SHGs and women’s cooperatives.The Nabarangpur Regional Office was formally established in 2002. At present we work intensively in Jharigam, Dabugam and Kosagumuda blocks, covering 325 villages.

1. Forest, land and water management
Since 1994, we have been promoting effective natural resource management in Nabarangpur.

Core Activities :
  • Facilitating land entitlement claims.
  • Promoting forest protection and conservation.
  • Developing village-level natural resource management plans.
  • Integrated and and water resource development .
Recent Achievements :
  • Village-based natural resource & livelihood plans in 12 villages.
  • Developed NRM plan in three villages in Dabugam Block.
  • FRA individual claims reached 3989, 1286 claimants received Land Pattas.
2. Governance
3. Livelihoods: NTFPs, Food Security, Flood Relief