Sonepur is a village panchayat in Arki block. AID workers attended Sonepur Gram Sabha meetings on regular occasion. The Gram Sabha was made aware of the importance of forest. Later, the Gram Sabha realized that they had already cut down all the old and thick trees leaving behind only thin and frail sal trees in their community forest. Taking it as an urgent issue they convened a Gram Sabha meeting and took decision not to cut down sal trees for next two years. It was villagers themselves who were cutting trees for their own purpose after seeking permission from the Gram Sabha. They have thus decided to restore the growth of sal trees in their forest. Today the forest is looking greener and is dense with healthy trees around. Chorardih Youth Group has taken training of vegetable cultivation. HYV seeds have been provided by AID at very low cost. The plot that used to remain barren after the monsoon paddy cultivation has become green this season. The group has decided to expand the area of vegetable cultivation next season. Villagers too are encouraged and have decided to purchase HYV seeds from AID. The business minded SHG of Hembrom village has done Ber collection this season. They have purchased Ber of Rs.6000 from their saving and got further assistance of Rs. 10,000 from AID. They are planning to go in for tamarind collection through AID assistance this season. Youth group in Chorardih village was formed in 2003. It started with 5 members and today it has swelled up to 12 in numbers. Soma Singh Munda is one of its members. He used to work at brick- kiln in Varanasi district before joining youth group. With respectable saving of their own, the group decided to do business of ber this season. AID provided revolving fund to them for the same purpose. The ber has been dried and packed in 100 gunny bags ready to be marketed by AID. Encouraged by ber business the group has decided to go in for tamarind and mahua collection as well.