Summary:
Honouring them, the Reserve has released a short film ‘Vidiyal’ that tells the tale of their transformation from a poacher to protector. The forest guards had formed ‘Vidiyal Pathukaapu’, an eco-development committee which helped reshape the lives of former poachers. The short film explores the revolutionary method of contributory forest management and how the forest department and former poachers made it a success. Vidiyal Paathukaapu brought a sea change to forest management with residents close to the woods participating in forest protection. The film had members of Vidiyal Paathukaap acting in it with Pandyan playing the role of Aruvi..