There are a vast number of villages in the tiger reserve. The majority of villagers belong to the Gond and Baiga tribes. The Baiga, specially, are regarded as one of the most primitive tribes in the country. These populations have also contributed to the success of the Kanha tiger reserve as one of the finest protected area in the country. As there was no special opportunity for these people, the Kanha management also took some important initiatives for their livelihood. The Kanha management entered into agreements with some NGOs and companies to train these youths for assured employment.
Kanha tiger reserve occupies a special place in the local economy through its management and tourism. The tiger reserve, through habitat management, employment generating trainings, and tourism management, provides employment for guides, gypsy drivers, and local people engaged in hotels/ resorts, besides creating other small economic activities. The following income-flow, chiefly through employment generating works, contributes to the local economy:
S. No. | Fund Received | Annual Average Expenditure (Rs. in Lakh) | Earned Man-Days |
| 1 | Project Tiger | 1500.00 | 296000 |
| 2 | Working Plan | 150.00 | 27000 |
| 3 | Campa | 250.00 | 52000 |
| 4 | Vikas Nidhi | 450.00 | 76000 |
| 5 | MP Tiger Foundation Society | 75.00 | 3000 |
| 6 | MP Ecotourism Development Board | 10.00 | 2500 |
| Total: | 2435.00 | 456500 |
Besides all these, employment was also generated in tourism management in the tiger reserve:
S. No. | Particulars | No. of Person | Total Annual Income (Rs. in Lakh) |
1 | Guide | 175 | 196.00 |
2 | Vehicle driving | 257 | 890.00 |
3 | Persons engaged in Hotel/ Resorts | 472 | 286.00 |
4 | Contribution to local economy was assessed by the IIFM, Bhopal | - | 24000.00 |
Total: | 904 | 25372.90 | |
5 | Skill development trainings provided by the Kanha management (Vehicle driving, hotels/resorts workers, guide, masonry, electrician, private security) | 1335 | - |