The functional role of biodiversity is widely recognised by rural communities. Economic pressures on rural and urban societies have largely been responsible for the rapid erosion in biodiversity. Global realisation on the importance of biodiversity has led to the recognition on the need to conserve and sustainable utilize biological diversity and share equitably the benefits arising out of conservation. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) signed by 180 nations stands as testimony to the commitments of national governments on the issues related to biodiversity and India was one of the first nations to sign the CBD. The present project Conservation, Enhancement and Sustainable and Equitable Use of Biodiversity funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) was evolved against the backdrop of the CBD. The project is an attempt to fill an important gap in the biodiversity framework, especially related to the primary conservers of biological diversity.

The Report consists of six chapters addressing various components of the project. The introductory chapter gives a brief introduction, background, overview and significance of the project, followed by six chapters each outlining the major objectives and activities undertaken in the project at different field sites.