This case study is a review of socio-economic structure of the people, their loss and benefit out of sanctuaries, concept of WTP (willingness to pay) and finally attitude towards conservation. Details salient features of a recommended female oriented economic development programme and says that this is certain to have long lasting effect on the general attitude towards wildlife conservation.

Biodiversity in general and species-diversity in particular is declining sharply across the world due to human interference. Although certain species are going extinct because of overexploitation, but the vast majority of them are at risk because of habitat destruction. Conservation of biodiversity depends on conservation of habitats. Areas of high biological value tend to get protected by acquiring some form of protected area status. In wildlife conservation, the real problem is the management of humans rather than handling of the animals. Human management calls for an overall socio-economic development of the residents of fringe and forest villages, in order to ensure successful implementation of wildlife conservation policies. Based on primary data, the present study in a sanctuary of West Bengal, India that harbours Elephants, Indian Rhino, Tiger and Leopard, offers a gender-wise review of socio-economic structure of the people, their loss and benefit out of sanctuaries and their gender-wise concept of Willingness To Pay (WTP). An important finding of this study is the gender-wise attitude of the forest villagers towards conservation. The study details salient features of a recommended female oriented economic development programme as the female takes a pivotal position in the village-family and such development programmes are certain to have long lasting effect on the general attitude towards wildlife conservation.
Dr Indrila Guha's E-mail: indrilaguha@hotmail.com