Peoples’ active participation in the conservation of wildlife is critical for the survival of many endangered species and can serve as an important economic, social, and security engine for communities and individuals. Still, habitat loss, inadequate land-use planning, and competition for limited resources have led to increased human-wildlife conflict and missed opportunities to achieve sustainable development.
The Government of India, the World Bank-led Global Wildlife Program (GWP) funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are convening more than 100 participants from over 20 countries in New Delhi, India, for a conference on People's Participation in Wildlife Conservation—supporting the country’s Wildlife Week celebration. The conference will also include a field visit to the Pench Tiger Reserve to better understand the issues, tools, and techniques they can consider in their countries and projects.
Since many of the GWP’s 19 country projects across Africa and Asia are investing in activities to engage individuals and communities in wildlife conservation, this conference is designed to provide a platform for GWP national project leaders to raise awareness, showcase, and learn from African and Asian experiences; and enhance understanding of program specific issues. Case studies, lessons learned, and best practices will be presented.
During the conference in New Delhi, the Government of India and the UNDP will launch the Securing Livelihoods, Conservation, Sustainable Use and Restoration of High Range Himalayan Ecosystems (SECURE) Himalayas Project. As one of the projects within the GWP, the GEF has provided an $11.5 million grant in collaboration with the Indian Government, which is providing over $60 million in co-financing.
Conference participants include several ministers in charge of wildlife and/or forestry or tourism departments from the GWP countries as well as other government officials and national project leads, senior representatives from GWP partner organizations including the GEF, UN agencies and international NGOs, as well as youth and private sector representatives.
This event is by invitation only.
