| Project Title:
Strengthening Governance of Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) for Building Resilient Ecosystems in the State of Assam |
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| Project Brief:
This project aims to improve governance and management of 10000 hectares of community forests through Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) in Assam. Forests in the Assam Hills District (Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council- DHADC) are largely under community ownership, and the protection of forests and other natural resources is traditionally an age-old practice of local communities. CCAs are spread across the hills district and exist in the form of community forests, sacred groves, conservation reserves, wetlands, etc., and are traditionally governed by indigenous community institutions such as the Village Council and Chieftainship. However, DHADC is experiencing erratic rainfall, a change in temperature, and more frequent natural disasters due to climate change. Given these challenges, there is a great need to strengthen and sustain local conservation efforts to mitigate climate change risks, improve carbon sequestration, and support the livelihoods of the rural poor. This project seeks to strengthen the governance and management of CCAs by enhancing the capacities of local communities in planning and executing sustainable management strategies to prevent further CCA degradation. As an outcome, this initiative aims to support forest conservation, biodiversity management and governance, improve jhum management and agro-biodiversity plantations, and protect and manage spring sheds protection/management—thereby improving and maintaining carbon sinks. |
Project objectives:
The project has the following objectives:
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Project Location:
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This flagship grant will primarily reach out to mid to large sized field work oriented organisations to create a two-way partnership for our common cause of conservation. This grant is directed towards the running costs of on-ground projects. The grant should enable the creation of a sustainable and replicable conservation model to address some of the key conservation issues in India.
This first of its kind initiative aims to secure and regenerate the overlooked and unaddressed habitats of the country that are in urgent need of conservation attention. These lesser-known habitats are home to an array of biodiversity, and serve as important connections between key wildlife landscapes and as havens for dispersal populations from the "celebrity" parks. Through the lesser-known habitats grant, we hope to secure and bring into the limelight these vital habitats.
In recent years, a great deal of attention has been given to the "glamour" species of the country such as tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. Unfortunately, several of our equally endangered species have not received the same level of conservation support. This unique grant aims to support conservationists working to secure a future for our lesser-known endangered species.
Across the country there are grassroots conservationists working dedicatedly, with little to no support, to protect our biodiversity. The work they do in their individual capacity has a huge positive impact on conservation in the country. This grant aims to recognize these conservation heroes and provide them a platform to expand their activities and garner further support for their work.
Successfully submitted applications and projects will be screened for eligibility, relevance of answers and authenticity of information. A team of experts, including sector specialists and external auditors, evaluate successful entries on the following parameters:
• Applicant Profile: Based on past performance and credentials, capacity to deliver, financial management, program management and other such criteria.
• Project Profile: Based on statement of need, clarity of objectives, measurability of impact, innovation, strategy and approaches, replicability, stakeholder participation, scalability and sustainability.
At the end of the First Level Screening and Shortlisting round 24 applications, 6 in each category, will move forward for Field Level Verification.
The Habitats Trust team will visit the proposed project locations to verify if details provided by the applicant are true to fact. Along with a Sub-Jury, The Habitats Trust team will shortlist twelve proposals, three in each category, move to the Jury Round. The work of all the applicants shortlisted for the Jury round will be published in The Habitats Trust Grants compendium, as a tribute to their efforts and achievements. Disseminated widely by HCL, this provides national and international visibility to the applicants.
The twelve shortlisted applicants, three in each category, will be invited to present their proposed projects in person to our Jury of eminent conservationists at the Jury Round. Recipients of The Habitats Trust Grants will be announced at a Felicitation Event the next day.