Prelims: Current events of National and International importance| Environment
Why in News?
Recently, Guidelines for the Designation of India’s Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (I-OECMs), 2026 were released by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Overview of Guidelines
- Ecosystems & Sites– Encompasses terrestrial, inland water, and coastal/marine ecosystems—including sacred groves, biodiversity parks, and community-managed areas—while aligning with Kunming-Montreal Target 3 (30x30) and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2030).
- Core Criteria– Sites must exist outside the formal Protected Area network, possess defined boundaries without database overlaps, maintain current governance and regulatory regimes, and operate under recognized local or government bodies.
- Management & Oversight– Final designation rests with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) via an Inter-Departmental Committee.
- Sites undergo review at least once every five years and are supported by a GEF-8 demonstration project (May 2026–May 2032) implemented through the NBA and UNDP.
To know more about OECMs Click here
Reference
DD News| Guidelines for the Designation of India’s Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (I-OECMs), 2026
