The forest department, that is responsible for the relocation of Gujjars from Rajaji National Park and their resettlement at Pathri, approached FOD. A school complex had been built at the relocation site and for various reasons there was no possibility of the government running a school there in the near future. The department therefore requested FOD to fill this gap by running a school here.
FOD is keen to work with the Gujjars as this, according to them, is the only way to safeguard Rajaji National Park. FOD does plan to with draw form the Pathri project at some stage. Gradually, they would like local community institutions to take over the management of the school and other such initiatives that FOD has undertaken. Througha gradual process of community awareness and empowerment, FOD would like the community to take on increasing responsibility of the school. FOD is now considering introducing fees, at least for some classes. This would be the beginning of greater ownership on part of the community. The organization wants to ensure all round development of the displaced community. In this endeavour, their priority areas of work are education, nutrition, health care and income enhancement.

The Friends of Doon Society (FOD) is essentially an environment protection NGO that accepts that the interest of the local community has to be safeguarded for any sustainable and replicable environment protection movement. It was formally registered in 1986. FOD~Rs initial objectives were to safeguard the environment of the Doon valley. They were involved with a court case to stop limestone mining in the Musoorie- Dehradun area. They were also involved with regreening the areas that were adversely affected by mining. Since then FOD has been involved with a wide variety of local environmental issues. Since FOD is a Society (and not a trust), it has a governing body that is elected every year. All the current members of the governing body are persons who are retired and have settled in Dehradun. Though there is a formal governing body, there is effectively no hierarchy in the administration of the organization. Members of FOD pick their individual areas of interest and work in those areas. Thus there are members who are involved with the school, others who help in running the dairy development project, still others who conduct environment education in schools in Dehradun and so on.

The project is located within Rajaji National Park.