Immediately after setting up the Corbett Foundation, a survey was conducted in villages on the periphery of the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR). The findings revealed that primarily the villagers faced two problems:
1. Damage to livestock by the big cats and to crops by other wild animals, and
2. Non-existent medical facilities in almost all the villages
It was felt that an immediate Rural Medical Outreach Programme was necessary both as a humanitarian response and a trust building measure. Healthy individuals alone can contribute to a healthy environment. Moreover, if the local communities are to be won over to the cause of conservation some reciprocal benefits would have to be provided to them.
A small beginning was made by providing 50 select villages with a first-aid box along with the Hindi version of a very useful book: “Where There Is No Doctor”.
There are approximately 100 villages in the buffer zone of CTR and the Foundation covers about 50 % through its outreach programme. Consultation, treatment and medicine were distributed free of cost from 1995 to 2000. However since April 2001 the Foundation started charging a nominal fee of Rs. 10 per patient as a donation towards conservation. This foresighted move was made with the objective of involving the villagers directly in the conservation momentum and to increase their sense of responsibility towards their health.
Twice a week an outpatient Clinic is organised at the Foundation center in Dhikuli. On the other days of the week Outdoor Camps are held at different villages. A monthly schedule is maintained and adhered to, which also makes it easier for the nearby villagers to benefit from the facility.
Along with the outdoor camps, regular awareness campaigns are conducted at the villages. These include campaigns against water and environmental sanitation, water borne diseases, personal hygiene, mother and child healthcare, etc. The Foundation doctors also train medical workers in treating minor diseases and injuries.
Victims of people attacked by wild animals are provided first-aid treatment at the Foundation center. Road accident victims are also provided first-aid if required.
