‘2022-23 work plan’ approved by UNDP SECURE Himalaya project

GANGTOK, Sikkim: During the meeting of 5^th State Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, a ‘draft 2022-23 work plan’ worth Rs 342.64 lakhs was approved.

The committee consisting of the Government of India (GoI), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) approved the plan under the SECURE Himalaya project. The total cost of ‘2022-23 work plan’ stands at Rs 342.64 lakhs, out of which Rs 142 lakhs is to be provided by UNDP Country Office Support and the remaining Rs 200.64 lakhs will come through the State Grant-in-Aid budget.

Draft work plan comprises of management of biodiversity sites, mobilization after training, value addition of honey and nettle, and awareness programme for military and paramilitary forces etc.

SECURE Himalaya was launched as a 6-year project that aims to protect and conserve the Himalayan biodiversity, while reducing the dependence of local communities on the biological resources of the region. The project is a joint initiative of MoEFCC and UNDP. Currently, the project covers the Himalayan landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Sikkim.