India Strengthens Biodiversity Conservation Drive with Project Cheetah and Community-Led Initiatives at IDB 2026 in Bhopal
India reaffirmed its commitment to biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and community-led environmental governance during the national-level celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2026 held at the Indian Institute of Forest Management in Madhya Pradesh.
The event, organized under the global theme “Acting Locally for Global Impact,” brought together policymakers, environmental experts, biodiversity institutions, forest officials, researchers, and local stakeholders to discuss India’s evolving conservation strategy focused on grassroots participation and sustainable environmental management.
The programme was jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
Addressing the gathering, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized that global environmental goals can only be achieved through strong local participation and community-driven conservation efforts. He highlighted India’s extraordinary ecological diversity and the country’s long tradition of nature-centric living practices.
The minister noted that India is recognized as one of the world’s megadiverse nations, possessing a wide range of ecosystems that include Himalayan landscapes, dense forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, coastal regions, and marine habitats. According to him, traditional conservation practices such as sacred groves, indigenous farming systems, and community stewardship models demonstrate the deep cultural relationship between Indian communities and nature.
Bhupender Yadav also reiterated India’s commitment to implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aimed at protecting ecosystems and restoring biodiversity globally.
Highlighting India’s biodiversity governance structure, the minister said the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 has established a decentralized institutional framework through the National Biodiversity Authority, State Biodiversity Boards, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs). These institutions play a crucial role in documenting biodiversity, protecting local ecological resources, and ensuring participation of local communities in conservation-related decision-making.
A major focus of the discussion was the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, which ensures equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources and traditional knowledge. Bhupender Yadav stated that nearly ₹145 crore has already been distributed to beneficiaries across the country under the ABS mechanism, benefiting around 11,000 Biodiversity Management Committees.
He added that recent amendments to biodiversity laws have attempted to balance environmental protection with ease of doing business while safeguarding the interests of local communities and traditional knowledge holders.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the state as one of India’s leading centers for wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection. He highlighted the ecological importance of the state’s forests, river systems, wetlands, and grasslands, which support both biodiversity conservation and livelihoods for local populations.
The Chief Minister particularly emphasized the significance of Project Cheetah, calling it a landmark conservation initiative in India’s environmental history. He said the project has strengthened habitat restoration, scientific wildlife management, and community involvement in conservation activities.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav also described Project Cheetah as a globally significant ecological restoration effort. Launched in 2022 through the world’s first intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore, the initiative aims to revive India’s grassland ecosystems and restore ecological balance through cheetah reintroduction.
He noted that the successful adaptation and breeding of cheetahs in India indicate encouraging progress in long-term species recovery and habitat management.
Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh underlined the broader significance of biodiversity conservation, stating that it is directly linked to food security, water availability, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental sustainability.
He also highlighted the importance of traditional ecological wisdom and sustainable lifestyle practices promoted under the global Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement initiated by India.
Several reports, digital initiatives, films, and publications related to biodiversity governance and conservation were released during the event. These included India’s Biodiversity Report 2026, a national progress report under the Nagoya Protocol, the ABS End-to-End Portal, documentaries on biodiversity heritage sites and sacred groves, as well as a customized MyStamp.
The event also featured thematic exhibitions by State Biodiversity Boards, Biodiversity Management Committees, conservation organizations, industries, and academic institutions. These exhibitions showcased sustainable livelihood models, ecological restoration projects, biodiversity-based products, and community-led conservation practices from different parts of the country.
As part of the programme, dignitaries also flagged off 20 forest department motorcycles and a rescue truck to strengthen field-level forest and wildlife management operations.
The International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 celebrations highlighted India’s increasing emphasis on combining traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific conservation strategies. Through initiatives such as Project Cheetah, expanded biodiversity governance systems, and community participation models, the country is positioning itself as a key global advocate for sustainable environmental stewardship and ecological restoration.
