Press Release

New Delhi, 21 May 2022: International Day for Biological Diversity, is celebrated every year on May 22 to increase the understanding and awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation. The theme for this year is ‘Building a shared future for all life’ as biodiversity contributes to resolving several sustainable development challenges.

Forests are an important renewable natural resource that plays a significant role in preserving an environment suitable for human life. Keeping that in mind, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with the Government of India to provide Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan amounting to JPY 10,535 million JPY (approximately INR. 680 crores) for Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project for against Climate Change Response in March 2022.

This signed project will focus on: Ecosystem based Climate Change Measures; Human Wildlife Conflict Measures; Promoting Supply Chain Development of Forest Products; Livelihood Improvement Activities, and Capacity Development. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department will implement the project from FY 2022 to FY 2030.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India, said, "JICA believes that biodiversity conservation is one major solution to several long-term development issues. Biodiversity is the basis upon which we may rebuild better, from nature-based solutions to climate, health, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods. We believe that the conservation of biodiversity is a key to enhance the value of nature."

In line with the focus on the JICA assisted forestry projects, JICA intends to promote intensive utilization of technology with the aim to institutionalize technology-based planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation under the JICA assisted projects. JICA therefore instituted a special study to develop a prototype model of ‘Integrated GIS & MIS’ to be used in the upcoming forestry and natural resource management project and for upgrading the GIS and MIS facilities in the ongoing projects. The prototype model shall facilitate more efficient, effective, and user-friendly utilization of GIS and MIS technologies for better planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of forestry projects in India by state forest departments.

JICA will continue to support projects focusing on climate change mitigation and adaptation, which will protect and enhance India's natural resources and biodiversity.

About JICA

Established, by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in forms of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

• JICA India Office Web
• JICA India Brochure
• JICA Facebook Page (external link)

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Shusaku Takada / Aishwarya Mishra
+91 11 49097000
Takada.Shusaku@jica.go.jp
Mishra-Aishwarya@jica.go.jp

Edelman India
Rakhi Aurora
(+91) 9599067185
Rakhi.Aurora@edelman.com