SECURE Himalaya Project

Introduction

The Himalayas are not just mountains; they are home to unique biodiversity, fragile ecosystems, and the livelihoods of countless communities. But these ecosystems face serious threats—overgrazing, poaching, habitat loss, and climate change.
To address these challenges, the Government of India, with international support, launched the SECURE Himalaya Project.
Here, “SECURE” stands for Securing Livelihoods, Conservation, Sustainable Use, and Restoration of High Range Himalayan Ecosystem.

Quick Facts

• Purpose: To conserve biodiversity and restore forests while also ensuring local communities’ livelihoods in the Himalayan region.
• International Support: Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP.
• Tenure: 2017–2024 (a 7-year project).
• Partnering Agency: TRAFFIC (organization specializing in wildlife trade monitoring).

Objectives

The main aim is simple yet significant:
➡️ To ensure the conservation of biodiversity—both local and global—along with sustainable management of land and forests in the high Himalayan ecosystem

Salient Features

(a) Global Project Context

• It is part of the larger Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development, under the Global Wildlife Program of GEF.
• It also contributes to the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), where 12 range countries (where snow leopards are found) work together with governments, NGOs, civil society, and private sector.

(b) Sustainable Conservation

• The project encourages sustainable management of alpine pastures and forests.
• It focuses on the conservation of globally significant wildlife, especially the endangered snow leopard and its habitats.

(c) Geographical Coverage

The project is not spread across the entire Himalayas, but selected high-altitude landscapes in Trans- and Greater Himalayan regions, such as:

1. Changthang (Jammu & Kashmir)
2. Lahaul–Pangi and Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh)
3. Gangotri–Govind and Darma–Byans Valley in Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand)
4. Kanchenjunga–Upper Teesta Valley (Sikkim)

(d) Key Components

The project rests on four pillars (key components):

1. Conservation of biodiversity areas → Protect forests, alpine pastures, wildlife zones.
2. Securing sustainable community livelihoods → Balance conservation with human needs.
3. Enhancing enforcement and monitoring → Combat poaching, wildlife crime, and illegal trade.
4. Knowledge and communication systems → Spread awareness, create advocacy platforms, and strengthen information sharing.

(e) Three-Pronged Strategy

The scheme also follows a very practical three-pronged strategy:

1. Alternate & new livelihood options for communities (so they do not depend excessively on forests).
2. Enhancing existing livelihoods through better practices.
3. Skill-based employment opportunities so that people can work without harming the ecosystem.

Significance

• Protects snow leopards and other endangered species.
• Balances ecological conservation with community development.
• Addresses the problem of wildlife crime and illegal trade.
• Strengthens India’s role in global conservation efforts.

✅ In summary: The SECURE Himalaya Project is not just about protecting animals or forests—it is a holistic approach that combines conservation, livelihood, enforcement, and knowledge-sharing, making it both a developmental and environmental initiative.