India - Community-based natural resource management pays dividends

Through the TRAC-funded project Biodiversity Conservation through Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CRBM), UNDP works with communities in four states in India—Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Orissa—to promote sustainable biodiversity-based livelihoods. In parallel, the UNDP supported GEF funded project Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve’s Coastal Biodiversity integrates biodiversity conservation objectives into the development initiatives in the Gulf of Mannar. The Gulf, located at the southeastern tip of Tamil Nadu state and covering an area of over 1,050,000 hectares,, is endowed with more than 3,600 species of plants and animals including the globally endangered dugong. Approximately 224,000 people inhabit 252 villages in the area, making a living from fishing, seaweed collecting, or other marine-based activities. The project works to empower local communities to manage the coastal ecosystem and resources through sustainable livelihoods and thereby reduce pressures on the fragile coastal and marine ecosystems. Together these projects compose an innovative approach to mainstream biodiversity and ecosystems management into key national and sub-national governance and market frameworks.

Important results have been achieved through the CBRNM project. Biodiversity Management Committees and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFM) have been established to strengthen local biodiversity and ecosystem management. Traditional knowledge of biological resources, regarding their value and use, has been documented. Sustainable livelihoods, including initiatives in agro-forestry, livestock husbandry, community-based ecotourism initiatives and herbal health care centres have been trialled, and in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures implemented. In the Gulf of Mannar, there has been an increase in live coral cover from 37% to 43% since the project began. More than 1,700 youth from economically underprivileged families now pursue different professions as a result of the vocational trainings provided. An independent statutory Biosphere Reserve Trust and around 250 Village Marine Conservation and Eco-development Committees have been constituted. In addition, the development of an Integrated Management Plan for the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and Biosphere Reserve (2007-2016) is underway.