The resources affected by forest degradation are part of the traditional household economy, in which women play an important role. Although both women and men have become impoverished as a result of economic and ecological factors, women have been hit harder because of increased workloads, poor nutrition and deteriorating health. As a result of the forest degradation, there is large-scale male outmigration from the Saora area. In such situtions, a renegotiation of gender roles often occurs, whereby women take over roles previously allocated to men. Competing for available resources leads to the breakdown of communities.
Individualism creeps in, leading to the overall erosion of the cultural identity of the community.
All these different types of land are scattered throughout the hills and forests, and some are quite far from the village. Local women allocate their time to the various activities related to these locations in quite an efficient manner, making the best possible use of their time. A closer look at the local traditions reveals the methods by which the cultural and ecological balance is maintained. Culture is defined by the ecological conditions and the traditional institutions that help to sustain the community. Evidence of this is found in the various myths, taboos, rules, and regulations that form part of the local culture and ethos.