(a) the salient features of the Securing Livelihoods, Conservation, Sustainable Use and Restoration of High Range Himalayan Ecosystem (SECURE) Project;
(b) the number of States being covered initially under this project along with the targets set under the project; and
(c) the details of the funds sanctioned for the project, State/UT-wise including West Bengal?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a)& (b) The objective of SECURE Himalaya is to promote the sustainable management of alpine pastures and forests in the high range Himalayan ecosystems that secures conservation of globally significant wildlife, including vulnerable snow leopard and their habitats, ensures sustainable livelihoods and community socioeconomic benefits. The project is being implemented in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
The project is designed in full accordance with the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP, 2013) – a collaborative program between the governments of 12 snow leopard range countries and other partner organizations – provides the overarching implementation framework for improving the conservation status of snow leopards, wild prey, and their ecosystems across the entire snow leopard range. It is also designed in accordance with the National Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection (NSLEP) program for India (under the framework of the GSLEP) that collectively identify a suite of national and local actions that would be required to effectively conserve snow leopard, wild prey and their ecosystems in India.
The four outcomes of SECURE Himalaya Project are:
1.Conservation of key biodiversity areas and their effective management to secure long-term ecosystem resilience, habitat connectivity and conservation of snow leopard and other endangered species and their habitats.
2.Securing sustainable community livelihoods and natural resource management in high range Himalayan ecosystems.
3. Enhancing enforcement, monitoring and cooperation to reduce wildlife crime and related threats.
4 Gender Mainstreaming, Monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management.
Project Duration (7 years):
Project Start Date: April 1, 2017
Project End Date: March 30, 2024
The Project area includes Changthang (Leh district, Jammu and Kashmir), Lahul-Pangi (Lahul & Spiti, Chamba and Kinnaur Districts, Himachal Pradesh), Gangotri-Govind and Darma Byans valley, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh districts (Uttarakhand), Kanchenjunga- Upper Teesta Valley, North Sikkim District (Sikkim)
(c) Project Budget
Total Project Financing: USD 72,364,192 (total of 1 and 2 as per break up given below)
1. GEF Trust Fund: USD 11,544,192
2.Total co-financing:
Government: USD 59,820,000
UNDP: USD 1,000,000
Total: USD 60, 820,000
Rs 221.00 Lakhs have been sanctioned to Government of Uttarakhand in FY 2017-2018.
West Bengal is not included in the SECURE Himalaya project.
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