Amazon Grants $1 Million Support to 10,000 Farmers for 'Wild Carbon' Programme in Western Ghats

Amazon has announced a significant step towards its commitment to environmental sustainability by allocating $15 million from its $100 million Right Now Climate Fund for nature-based solutions in the Asia Pacific region. Out of this allocation, the first $3 million will be dedicated to supporting nature-based projects in India.

The Centre for Wildlife Studies Joins Forces with Amazon

Amazon's first project in India will be in collaboration with the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), a renowned organization dedicated to wildlife conservation. The CWS will receive $1 million in funding for its 'Wild Carbon' program, aimed at assisting 10,000 farmers in planting and maintaining a million fruit-bearing, timber, and medicinal trees.

Conservation in the Western Ghats

Amazon and CWS will work together to support conservation efforts and local communities in the Western Ghats region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is home to over 30 percent of India's wildlife species, including the world's largest population of tigers and Asiatic elephants.

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Enhancing Wildlife Habitats

One of the primary objectives of this partnership is to create natural buffer zones by planting trees in the Western Ghats. This initiative will help reduce human-wildlife conflicts while also providing higher-value tree crops for farmers compared to traditional subsistence crops.

Aiding 2,000 Family Farms

With Amazon's contribution, CWS aims to partner with 2,000 family farms to plant 300,000 trees over the next three years. This effort will not only contribute to the conservation of wildlife but also empower local farmers by diversifying their income sources.

Technological Advancements for Conservation

CWS plans to utilize a portion of the funds to develop monitoring systems using remote sensing and drones. These technologies will aid in tracking the progress and impact of the tree-planting program, ensuring its effectiveness in enhancing the region's ecology.

Incentivizing Farmers for Conservation

Dr. Krithi Karanth, Executive Director of CWS, emphasized that the program would incentivize farmers to become part of the solution. Farmers will receive support in selecting tree types that benefit both wildlife and their livelihoods. Additionally, they will undergo agroforestry training and receive technical assistance to ensure the success of the program.

Amazon's Ongoing Commitment to Climate and Biodiversity

Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund, established in 2019, is dedicated to restoration projects that enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and nature conservation while fostering environmental and social benefits in the communities where Amazon operates.

A Regional Approach to Environmental Preservation

Kara Hurst, Amazon's Global VP for Sustainability, emphasized the importance of investing in both large-scale and local action to protect the Asia-Pacific region from the impacts of climate change and preserve biodiversity. This commitment underscores Amazon's dedication to environmental responsibility on a global scale.

As Amazon and the Centre for Wildlife Studies embark on this ambitious endeavor, their joint efforts are expected to make a substantial contribution to the conservation of the Western Ghats and the broader environmental sustainability goals of India and the Asia-Pacific region.

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