MoEFCC and NBA launch five-year GEF–UNDP project on grassroots biodiversity governance in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya
The Environment Ministry and the National Biodiversity Authority launched a five-year project, 'Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments', with a USD 4.88 million GEF–UNDP grant for 2025–2030, covering the Sathyamangalam landscape in Tamil Nadu and the Garo Hills in Meghalaya.
Summary
A five-year project titled 'Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments' was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), the ministry said on 26 April 2026. The project is a joint initiative of the Government of India, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with a grant of USD 4.88 million for 2025–2030. It covers the Sathyamangalam landscape in Tamil Nadu, including the Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserves, and the Garo Hills in Meghalaya, including Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Balpakram National Park and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary, where Village Employment Councils act as the equivalent of gram panchayats. The project aims to green Gram Panchayat Development Plans, strengthen Biodiversity Management Committees and activate Access and Benefit Sharing financing.
Key facts
- Project
- Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments
- Implementers
- MoEFCC and National Biodiversity Authority
- Partners / grant
- GoI–GEF–UNDP; USD 4.88 million; 2025–2030
- Tamil Nadu
- Sathyamangalam landscape: Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserves
- Meghalaya
- Garo Hills: Nokrek BR, Balpakram NP, Siju WLS; Village Employment Councils
- Tools
- Greening GPDPs; BMCs; Access and Benefit Sharing
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The MoEFCC–NBA biodiversity governance project launched in April 2026 is a joint initiative of the Government of India with which partners?
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Correct answer: D — GEF and UNDP
It is a joint initiative of the Government of India, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP, with a USD 4.88 million grant.
Under the MoEFCC–NBA project, which protected areas form the Meghalaya landscape in the Garo Hills?
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Correct answer: A — Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Balpakram National Park and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary
The Garo Hills landscape covers Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Balpakram National Park and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary; Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam form the Tamil Nadu landscape.
Consider the following statements about the MoEFCC–NBA project 'Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments': 1. It runs for the period 2025–2030. 2. In Meghalaya, it works through Village Employment Councils, described as an equivalent of gram panchayats. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the MoEFCC release.