Ecosystem Services Improvement Project

The World Bank funded Ecosystem Services Improvement Project (ESIP) supports the goal of the Green India Mission by demonstrating models for adaptation‐based mitigation through sustainable land and ecosystem management and livelihood benefits. ESIP is introducing new tools and technologies for better management of natural resources, including biodiversity and carbon stocks. ESIP would change the way of monitoring land degradation and desertification at the national level by developing a web‐based national data base portal.

ESIP is covering the forest quality improvement and scaling up of identified, tested and proven sustainable land and ecosystem management (SLEM) best practices. Objective of the project is to improve forest quality, land management and non‐timber forest produce benefits for forest dependent communities.

ESIP is being implemented in the selected landscapes of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, selection of the states is based on projected vulnerability of forest grids to climate change impacts. Other criteria for selection of landscape included presence of threatened species, socio-economic inclusiveness, forest types, degradation status and anthropogenic pressures. ESIP has following four components:

  • Strengthening capacity of government institutions in forestry and land management programs.

  • Investments for improving forest quality.

  • Scaling up sustainable land and ecosystem management practices.

  • Project Management.

Direct beneficiaries of the ESIP includes about 25,000 people, comprising of forest dwellers, small landholders, marginal farmers, and landless livestock rearers at the community level in the states of in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The indirect beneficiaries include larger population in these states which will be benefitted from improved forest quality and ecosystem services such as improved water flows, climate amelioration, and land productivity. At the state level, the State Forest Department is the main beneficiary of strengthened institutional capacities, new technologies, and enhanced carbon measurement and monitoring systems.

ESIP is being jointly implemented by the Chhattisgarh State Forest and Climate Change Department, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education as Project Implementing Agencies under the overall direction and guidance of the Green India Mission Directorate, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India.ICFRE is implementing the Sub-component 1.2: Forest carbon stocks measuring and monitoring – capacity-building, Component 3: Scaling up sustainable land and ecosystem management and Component 4: Project Management under ESIP.

Project area for scaling up of SLEM practices under ESIP in the state of Madhya Pradesh comprises of 36 villages falling under five forest ranges viz. Bhaura in North Betul Forest Division, Budhni in Sehore Forest Division, and Sukhtawa, Itarsi and Banapura in Hoshangabad Forest Division. ESIP area for scaling up of SLEM practices in the state of Chhattisgarh comprises of 35 villages falling under four forest ranges viz. West Pandariya in Kawardha Forest Division, Pali in Kathgora Forest Division, Marwahi in Marwahi Forest Division and Ragunathnagar in Balrampur Forest Division for implementation of the project activities.Total geographic area of the project area is 51241.54 ha in both the states in which forest area is about 19150.93 ha whereas area outside the forest is about 28397 ha. Activities pertaining to measurement and monitoring of forest carbon stocks and capacity building are being undertaken in abovementioned Forest Ranges in the states of Madhya
Pradesh and Chhattisgarh under ESIP.