Abstract: Creation of the development projects and subsequent conservation enclosures is a customary practice around the world. While they advance economic development in the region by providing various benefits including employment and infrastructure development, development projects are also responsible for displacing or restricting resource access to the local communities. The creation of compensatory conservation enclosure, as a part of ‘market based’ conservation strategy, thus becomes a site for the struggle of access and mobilization of forest resources. One such example is the proposed Omkareshwar National Park Complex in Madhya Pradesh. Situated in the proximal distance of notorious Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar Dams, this region has a volatile history.

This talk will examine the economic impact of notification and subsequent denotification processes of the park. It will illustrate how the locals have to negotiate and renegotiate their access to resources by shifting their economic practices. Specifically, the talk will discuss how altered economic processes and patterns in the proposed ONPC has put a stress on the local livelihoods dependent on forest resources, particularly the tribals. Not only has this marginalized the local tribals socially, but is also resulting in increasing labour commodification.