Abstract:
This study attempts to capture the validity of PRA, as this is the most widely used method to
appraise the resources and the reliability of PRA is still questionable. This study was carried out
in the village of Chattisghar, India under the specific objectives (a) appraisal of natural resources
by PRA method (b) to work-out resource users’ attitudes on the major renewable natural
resources (c) to suggest institutional arrangements for better utilization of renewable natural
resources. Two methodologies were used in this study namely, traditional household
questionnaire survey and PRA method. For the household survey 125 respondents were used to
capture the value attached to the resources by resource users’ point of view and close-ended
questionnaire was given them to value the resources. In case of PRA, small groups (10-20 per
each) of respondents were selected randomly to perform different activities related to PRA. The
findings of the study indicate that PRA and traditional household survey is compatible. Especially
in case of resource priorities, resource users showed highest value (avg.l800/month) for the use,
maintenance and protection of land resource followed by common water bodies (avg.
Rs.l250/month) and multipurpose tree species (avg. Rs.ll50/month) respectively. The same
results were obtained in PRA exercise through venn- diagramming. Moreover, PRA information
presented by the villagers is similar to the original records of the village, verifying the reliability
of the PRA method. As PRA results were congruence with traditional household survey method,
PRA can be used as a complementary method for appraising natural resources as it enhanced the
validity of household survey method which is more time and energy consuming. High monitory
values reflect the potentiality of the villagers to protect the renewable natural resources. After
analyzing the resource users’ perspective, the study recommends that, collective management of
renewable natural resources by group of villagers may help to launch user-friendly policies for
sustainable development.
