What is an eco-region?
Why eco-regional approach?
The eco-regional process

What is an eco-region?

An eco-region could be understood as fairly large area described by unique landforms, geomorphology, bio-geography, vegetation and cultural context. These attributes provide a distinct identity to the region. In context of Madhya Pradesh, the state houses seven distinct eco-regions based on landforms as natural regions. These are the Satpuda Ranges, Vindhyan Ranges, Bundelkhand uplands, Malwa Plateau, Central Indian Plateau, Chambal and Nimar. Each of the regions has unique geo-morphological history, characteristic vegetation and wildlife, watershed and agro-climatic zones and culture, Bundelkhand plateau is characterized by granite gneiss formations and miscellaneous forests along with a distinct history and culture of valor. Satpuda houses as many as four major tribes that include the Baiga, Gond, Korku and Bharis. Satpudas have three PA s that is habitat to almost 60% of the Tiger population of the state. Thus the eco-region provides a larges a larger arena for integration and achieve convergence in sector specific initiatives.

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Why eco-regional approach?

The need for a higher geographical scale for sustained conservation action has been accentuated by conservationists and scientist alike. The eco-region thus becomes ideal plane for macro-level planning, informed by field-based actions following conventional approaches viz. micro/milli-watersheds. Uniqueness of eco-region in terms of geo-region in terms of geo-morphology, vegetation, faunal element, watersheds and culture require that sect oral programmes acknowledge these elements of diversity in order to be effective; rather than prescribing uniformly for the state as a unit. Wildlife scientists and managers require larger landscapes to ensure connectivity amongst protected areas so to ensure gene flow across populations. Eco-regions make sense when it comes to economy of scale in case of large number of bio-resources based livelihood interventions.

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The eco-regional process

The eco-regional process brings together key stakeholders in the conservation and livelihood initiative, cutting across sectors and binds them towards shared goals and objectives. It provides the platform and requisite apace for these actors to 'work form their strengths' for agreed upon goals.

The process is initiated with a stakeholder workshop that facilitated development of shared understanding of biodiversity of the eco-region, issues and priorities; and defines strategies and roles of various actors. An eco-regional group is then set-up to provide strategic leadership to the regional conservation intitiative. The group is again represented by GO s, Academia, NGOs and Communities. The firs action operationalized is of inventorying biodiversity of the eco-region. While the scientivic community does the regional assessment, the community-based documentation is facilitated by NGOs. The role of Biodiversity Board here is for development of requisite capacitates. These local inventories then feed into planning for biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement at the same time regulating bio prospecting. The eco-regional group also provides a platform for discussing sectoral issues and mainstreaming of biodiversity concerns in sectoral programmes.

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