Eco-development from people’s point of view can be defined as “Site specific package of measures developed through people’s participation with the objective of promoting sustainable use of land and other resources on farm and off-farm, income generation activities which are not deleterious to protected area  values".
It is basically promotion of long-term sustainable use of resources while caring for biological and cultural diversity.

Objectives of Eco Development

1. To plan and promote alternative income generation activities which are economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
2. To impart need based vocational training to the tribes.
3. To improve the basic amenities directly as well as with the help of other line departments.
4. To eliminate chances of man wildlife conflicts and to evolve successful model of tribal-wildlife co-existence.
5. To improve upon the existing land use practices of people and make them more productive.
6. To spread environmental awareness among the tribes through extension activities with the help of NGO’s and tribal volunteers.
7. Promotion of self-help groups and habit of thrift among the tribes.
8. To generate reasonable amount of employment through forestry works distributed through out the year as admissible under the fast evolving conservation scenario.

Organs for Eco Development

Forest Development Agency ,Parambikulam is formed  which is functioning as an Umbrella for the confederation all EDC’s (Ecodevelopmet Committes) which are the organs of effective implementation of Ecodevelopment in the Sanctuary.

At present there are eight EDC’s functioning under Forest Development Agency, Parambikulam namely :

• Sungam colony EDC
• Kadas colony EDC
• Earthdam colony EDC
• Fifth colony EDC
• Kuriarkutty colony EDC
• Poopara colony EDC
• PAP colony EDC.
• Naturalists EDC