Association with A.P Forest Department, we have formed Vana Samrakshna Samithi (VSS) in the villages adjoining the forest area in Sodam, Somala and Pakala mandals of Chittoor District. Pragathi was a facilitating agency for 8 V.S.S. The V.S.S. is involved in afforestation, protection of the environment, collection of forest produce and skill development for processing the forest produces for value addition. The NGO was involved in SMC works, Water harvesting works like tanks, and construction of check dams. Our initiative had a visible impact in improving the forest cover as well as providing assured returns to the VSS members.