Strategic Direction 1:
Enable action by diverse communities and partnerships to ensure conservation of key biodiversity areas and enhance connectivity in the corridors
Establishing Community Conservation Reserves in the Anamalai CorridorProposes to set up Community and Conservation Reserves in the Anamalai Corridor (Theni and Plani Hills) to integrate local communities into biodiversity conservation. The management at existing reserves will be assessed, reserve management plans will be prepared for nominated reserves through the participation of multiple key stakeholders and a suitable reserve management committee will be identified
Exploring Sustainable Landuse Practices in Rubber Plantations in a Critical Wildlife CorridorPromote the adoption of sustainable land-use practices in rubber plantations within the Periyar-Agastyamalai corridor by developing local indicators for certifying rubber products that comply with the appropriate global standard and respect local tradition and laws, providing guidance to rubber plantation managers about the priority actions needed to achieve certification, and developing market linkages for certified rubber products.
Celebrating 25 years of Save the Western Ghats March …. Rejuvenating the Spirit of Civil Society Movement Provide a platform for collective action among civil society organizations for sustainable development in the Western Ghats by organizing a meeting to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Save the Western Ghats March. Strengthen the Save the Western Ghats Movement, by engaging a greater diversity of stakeholders, facilitating dialogue among them and catalyzing collective action on specific conservation issues.
Empowering Local Communities and CSO’s in the Nilgiris in Using EIA Process as a Conservation Tool Empower civil society to systematically engage with the EIA process by undertaking capacity building, monitoring EIA reports and approvals, conducting alternative “citizens” EIAs, and assisting communities impacted by faulty EIAs respond to issues of urgent concern. Establish a local unit of the EIA Response Centre in Nilgiris district to keep effective watch on EIA-related issues in the southern Western Ghats.
Empowering Local Communities for Conservation in Newly Declared Conservation Reserves in the Western GhatsDevelop management plans for three newly established conservation reserves in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district enshrining community-based conservation strategies. Empower local people for effective participation in conservation reserve management by establishing and strengthening local community organizations, identifying suitable incentive mechanisms for engaging local people in conservation, promoting sustainable NTFP harvesting practices, and cultivating selected NTFPs to reduce pressure on forests.
| Amount |
$38,000 |
| Grant Term |
12/11
-
05/13 |
| Grantee |
SNEHAKUNJA TRUST |
Mainstreaming Conservation Action in District Public PolicyDemonstrate linkages between upstream shola grassland and swamp habitats in Nilgiris district and downstream water resources of the Coonoor River, through quantification and valuation of hydrological services, and evaluation of the impacts of land use patterns and practices. Integrate hydrological services of natural ecosystems into district government planning and policy, as a model for wider replication in the Western Ghats.
Motivating the Local Communities through Documentary Movie Campaign to Evolve Long-term Conservation Strategies in the Community and Private Reserves and Achieve Conservation Outcomes at Unprotected Sites in Malnad-Kodagu CorridorIdentify and evaluate the community-induced threats to biodiversity sites in Malnad-Kodagu Corridor. Suggest locally adaptable threat mitigation mechanisms in a documentary film and promote protection of biodiversity sites from major landscape level threats, like proposed mega and mini hydroelectric projects, through screenings among local communities and different stakeholders.
| Amount |
$19,729 |
| Grant Term |
05/11
-
11/11 |
| Grantee |
Samvada |
Assessing the Status and Distribution of Large Mammals in Highwavy and Its Environs, Southern Western Ghats
Identify eco-sensitive and potential corridors and contiguity within and with adjacent landscapes in Highwavy and its environs. Develop plausible science-based management mechanisms with support of data on large mammal movement patterns, species-habitat interactions and threats. Disseminate results and findings to local stakeholders and the Forest Department through a series of workshops.
| Amount |
$19,779 |
| Grant Term |
04/11
-
10/12 |
| Grantee |
Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society |
Hill Wetlands in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – A People’s Conservation InitiativeAim to preserve special habitats of Hill Wetlands (Tarnadmund, Bison Swamp, Nedugula) of Nilgiris, highlight their special status, bring to the forefront lesser known wetland species and their importance in conservation programs. This will be achieved by implementing sustainable management plans with stakeholder communities for the protection and monitoring of these landscapes which today are fragmented and disregarded.
| Amount |
$19,702 |
| Grant Term |
04/11
-
06/12 |
| Grantee |
Keystone Foundation |
| Related News and Information |
Safeguard document (PDF - 3 MB) |
Identification of Critical Crossing Points of Animals Along the Road in and Around Anamalai Tiger Reserve and to Suggest Relevant Mitigation Measures to Minimize Road MortalityIdentify and implement mitigation measures to reduce the road mortality of endangered fauna in Anamalai Tiger Reserve, resulting from increasing tourism development, and contribute to the knowledge on the effects of traffic and road construction on forest animal movements.
Communities and Critical Corridors: Maintaining Landscape Connectivity in the Southern Western Ghats through Collaborative ApproachesTake advantage of recent legislative changes to secure community rights to forest resources and establish new models of community-based conservation areas covering 30,000 ha. Facilitate the formal establishment of these areas, and strengthen the local institutions necessary to manage them. Develop participatory resource use, management and monitoring plans for the areas, as well as alternative livelihood options for local people.
Community-Based Partnerships for Impact Assessment and Regulation of Tourism in Western GhatsAddress the threats that unregulated tourism development poses to natural ecosystems
within the Mysore-Nilgiri Corridor by researching environmental impacts and promoting
appropriate regulatory and management measures to mitigate negative effects. Build
capacity to assess tourism impacts at the grassroots level, including by establishing
community-based Tourism Impact Assessment Cells at two pilot sites and disseminating results to a wide range of stakeholders.
Conservation of the Periyar-Agasthiyamalai Corridor in the Southern Western Ghats: Knowledge Generation, Dissemination of Information and Capacity Building for Key StakeholdersFacilitate the long-term conservation of biodiversity in the Periyar-Agasthyamalai Corridor, by completing a GIS-based database on critical habitat links in the corridor, placing it into the public domain in a variety of accessible formats, and using this information base to implement programs of capacity building for state forest department staff and awareness raising among other key stakeholders.
Conservation Plan for Securing Selected Elephant Corridors in Southern Western Ghats Facilitate the conservation of critical elephant corridors within the Mysore-Nilgiri
Corridor by evaluating the current status of each corridor, assessing local communities’
dependence on them, monitoring usage by elephants and other animals and preparing
plans for securing them. Fix signage along each corridor to inform people about their
importance, advise them how to minimize impacts on elephants and warn drivers.
Building a Grassroots Constituency to Conserve the River Moyar in the Mysore-Nilgiri CorridorBuild a constituency for conservation of riverine habitats along the River Moyar among
local communities and create a basis for incorporating biodiversity values into local development planning by identifying and training local partners at the grassroots level, training and providing them with firsthand experience of biodiversity and socio-economic studies, and assisting them to develop "micro-plans" for conservation action.
Critical Links – Forging Community-Civil Society Partnerships to Enhance Connectivity in the Sahyadri-Konkan Corridor Enhance ecological connectivity in the Sahyadri-Konkan Corridor by establishing a network of nongovernmental organizations to jointly develop and implement a plan of action for restoring
connectivity, and use the "conservation agreements" approach to develop and implement
innovative models for community-based conservation that create a steady stream of
benefits for local people at Koyna and Chandoli wildlife sanctuaries and Amboli
Reserve Forest.
Hill Biodiversity and Indigenous People: The God of Small EcosystemsChannel local interest in the biodiversity of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve toward addressing conservation issues through establishing a Nilgiris Natural History Society, implementing activities through the society with direct conservation benefits to local communities (including conservation awards, protection of sacred groves, nature interpretation sites and conservation villages) and developing a hub for outreach, training and extension in biodiversity conservation.
Bridging the Shencottah Gap: How Payments for Ecosystem Services Can Restore Biodiversity Outside Protected Areas in IndiaCatalyze payments for ecosystem services mechanisms to strengthen ecological connectivity across the Shencottah Gap within the Periyar-Agastyamalai Corridor. Identify critical linkages
for wildlife movement across the gap, and then target payments to private landholders
and community groups to restore, enhance and secure wildlife habitats within them.
Monitor the effectiveness of these mechanisms, leverage funding to ensure sustainability and promote replication elsewhere.
Empowering Local Communities and Civil Society Organizations in Using Environmental Impact Assessment Process as a Conservation Tool in the Western GhatsEmpower local communities and civil society groups in the Western Ghats to address the
negative environmental impacts of development projects by strengthening their capacity
to engage in the EIA process; monitoring and challenging EIA reports; conducting
alternative "Citizens’ EIAs;" responding to issues of urgent concern for communities and
groups impacted by faulty EIAs; and establishing a network of interested groups.
Fostering Sustainable Agriculture Practices for Conservation of Tropical Biodiversity in Plantation Landscapes of Western GhatsDemonstrate a market-based approach to enhancing ecological connectivity while
safeguarding agricultural production by introducing the Rainforest Alliance’s
"Sustainable Agriculture Standard" into tea and coffee estates in the Anamalai and
Mysore-Nilgiri corridors, raising awareness and promoting adoption of sustainable
agricultural practices, and developing a set of local indicators that adapts the Sustainable
Agriculture Standard to the context of the Western Ghats.
Investigating Congruence between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services across Production Landscapes in the Mysore-Nilgiri Landscape Corridor in the Western Ghats
Assess patterns of and congruence between biodiversity (birds) and ecosystem services (carbon storage) outside protected areas in Kodagu. Document impacts on ecosystem services by land-use intensification for increased economic returns, and provide a quantitative understanding of biodiversity and economic aspects for planning private reserve models on private lands, as well as state-supported models on public lands.
| Amount |
$12,859 |
| Grant Term |
10/09
-
12/10 |
| Grantee |
M.O. Anand |
Promotion of Organic Farming through Introduction of Analog Forestry Concept in Kollegal Forest DistrictExplore the possibilities of initiating Analog Forestry, a system of forest management that combines the values of local forest biodiversity with organic crop cultivation, in Kollegal Forest District. Activities include providing an overview of the causes of the biodiversity loss and current situation in the project area, including human-wildlife conflict and threats from chemical farming.
| Amount |
$3,080 |
| Grant Term |
10/09
-
03/11 |
| Grantee |
G. Krishna Prasad |
Regeneration of Traditionally Used Indigenous Species to Reduce Pressure on the Mudumalai Tiger ReserveCreate a nursery of traditionally used species such as various medicinal plants and tubers and provide saplings to the numerous tribal families and settlements along the edge of the critical tiger habitat of Gudalur Division near Mudumalai. Help tribal communities retain their traditional resource base while reducing pressure on tiger habitat.
Grassland and Shola Research and Restoration of the Palni Hills
Evaluate the status of and restore three high altitude patches of forest land in the Palni Hills presently occupied by invasive monocultures of eucalyptus and wattle to create habitat for native biodiversity, especially Nilgiri tahr, while demonstrating to hill communities that restoration can provide vital resources and income. Research and identify suitable pioneer native species that can replace invasive wattle.
| Amount |
$19,465 |
| Grant Term |
09/09
-
01/11 |
| Grantee |
Palni Hills Conservation Council |
Identifying Critical Areas for a Landscape-Level Wildlife Corridor in Uttara Kannada District (Northern Part of Malnad-Kodagu Corridor to Sahyadri-Konkan Corridor) of Central Western Ghats
Assess and advance conservation strategies for priority areas in the northern part of Malnad-Kodagu Corridor. Compile and analyze research results from the landscape over the years, including baseline ecological and diversity status data for Aghanashini and Bedthi river valleys. Take advantage of available legal options to propose appropriate management designations, such as conservation reserve.
| Amount |
$9,900 |
| Grant Term |
09/09
-
01/11 |
| Grantee |
B.L. Hegde |
Identifying Potential Areas as "Conservation Reserves" in Agasthyamalai Biosphere ReserveDevelop criteria for the establishment of conservation reserves in the reserve forests of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve and delineate and map potential conservation reserves. Promote and strengthen partnerships and mechanisms for the management of biological corridors within and outside protected area networks in the biosphere reserve.
Improving Protected Area Effectiveness through Enhanced Civil Society Support and Rigorous Monitoring of Wildlife Populations and Conservation Threats Carry out rigorous scientific monitoring to assess the status of several species and levels of conservation threats in the Sahyadri-Konkan, Malnad-Kodagu and Mysore-Nilgiri corridors within Karnataka State. Involve and train civil society groups and the state forest department to enhance their technical capability to monitor and manage these areas in addition to providing critical management inputs.
Study of Distribution, Status and Dynamics of Private and Group Private Forests in Sahyadri-Konkan Corridor in Southern MaharashtraForm partnerships for protection of private and group private forests in the Sahyadri-Konkan to help maintain tree cover on group private forests, thereby enhancing biodiversity in priority sites and assisting in consolidation of corridors. Activities also include analyzing policy issues and making recommendations that will help to protect tree cover on private forests.