New Delhi, May 22, 2026: A new publication titled “Community-Led Biodiversity Restoration in Coastal India: Local Actions Creating Global Impact” was released under the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) India Operational Phase-7 (OP7) on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.
The publication documents eight community-led biodiversity restoration initiatives across coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, highlighting how local actions are contributing to ecosystem restoration, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
The report has been developed under GEF-SGP India OP7, executed by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and coordinated nationally by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The publication was prepared by TERI in collaboration with the Council for Social Development (CSD), which serves as the Knowledge Partner for GEF-SGP India OP7.
According to the report, the documented initiatives include artificial reef restoration, ghost gear management, sand dune restoration, women-led seaweed cultivation, sacred grove conservation, watershed restoration, agro-biodiversity restoration and indigenous crop conservation. The publication highlights how local ecological knowledge systems and participatory governance are supporting biodiversity conservation while also strengthening livelihood resilience and climate adaptation.
The report also connects these local initiatives to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022, demonstrating how grassroots interventions can contribute to global biodiversity and sustainability targets.
Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said, “Behind every restored ecosystem is a community choosing hope over degradation. These stories demonstrate how local stewardship and grassroots action can strengthen resilience while contributing to global biodiversity goals.”
Dr. Susmita Mitra, Team Lead – Knowledge Partner, GEF-SGP India OP7, Council for Social Development (CSD), said said, “The publication demonstrates that biodiversity restoration is not only an ecological process, but also a social and institutional process shaped by community participation, local stewardship and knowledge systems. These case studies offer important evidence-based lessons for inclusive and participatory restoration approaches.”
The publication is intended for policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, academic institutions and development practitioners working in biodiversity conservation, socio-ecological systems, climate resilience and participatory natural resource management. It will be made available through GEF-SGP India, TERI, CSD and partner institutional platforms.
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