Foundation for Ecological Security

Foundation for Ecological Security The crux of FES efforts lie in locating forests and other natural resources within the prevailing economic, social and ecological dynamics in rural landscapes.

FES works towards the ecological restoration and conservation of land and water resources in ecologically fragile, degraded and marginalised regions in India, through the collective efforts of village communities. Spread across diverse ecological and social geographies, FES works towards conservation of nature and natural resources through collective action of local communities. Globally, FES hope

s to see an increasing influence on two fundamental issues in governing shared natural resources a socio-ecological systems approach and a Commons paradigm, which together could have far-reaching impact on world views on development. FES presently works with 47,532+ village institutions in 100+ districts across 12 states, and assists the village communities in protecting 13.15 million acres of common lands including revenue wastelands, degraded forest lands and Panchayat grazing lands, positively impacting 26.9 million rural people across India. We support Panchayats and their subcommittees, Village Forest Committees, Gramya Jungle Committees, Water Users Associations and Watershed Committees in order to improve the governance of natural resources. Regardless of the form of the institution, we strive for universal membership and an equal access of women and poor in decision making.

Rangelands are more than grazing lands; they are the foundation of livelihoods, biodiversity, water security, and climat...
17/06/2026

Rangelands are more than grazing lands; they are the foundation of livelihoods, biodiversity, water security, and climate resilience. Yet across India, these vital Commons face growing threats from degradation, invasive species, and changing land use.

This World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, under the theme "Rangelands: Recognise. Respect. Restore.", we celebrate communities that are leading the way in restoring degraded landscapes through collective action and stewardship.

From removing invasive species in Madhya Pradesh, to restoring ravine-affected lands in Gujarat, reviving pasturelands and native seed systems in Rajasthan, and transforming degraded Commons in Karnataka, these stories demonstrate that lasting restoration is possible when communities come together to care for shared resources.

Their efforts are restoring ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods, enhancing biodiversity, and building resilience for future generations.

International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists UN Environment Programme

ODISHA WATER CONCLAVE 2026While Odisha receives significant rainfall each year, many communities continue to face water ...
15/06/2026

ODISHA WATER CONCLAVE 2026
While Odisha receives significant rainfall each year, many communities continue to face water scarcity, recurrent droughts, and the impacts of a changing climate. Addressing these challenges calls for collective efforts, empowered local institutions, and water governance approaches rooted in community participation and action .

Join us at the Odisha Water Conclave 2026, jointly organized by the Coalition for Change in Odisha (CCO), District Administration Kalahandi, and KISS Kalahandi.

📅 18–19 June 2026
📍 KISS Campus, Badili, Kalahandi, Odisha

The Conclave will bring together government departments, Gram Panchayats, community institutions, researchers, civil society organisations, and development partners to:

- Share best practices in water conservation and governance
- Strengthen community and Gram Panchayat leadership
- Explore technology-enabled water planning
- Foster convergence and collective action
- Shape the Kalahandi Declaration for a Water-Secure Odisha

Together, let's build resilient communities and Water-Secured Gram Panchayats across Odisha.

At the ‘Global Policy Dialogue on Rangelands Governance, Mobility and Pastoralism’ in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, FES joined ...
11/06/2026

At the ‘Global Policy Dialogue on Rangelands Governance, Mobility and Pastoralism’ in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, FES joined partners from across regions to share local lessons on pastoral communities and advance dialogue on resilient livelihoods and sustainable rangeland management.

Together with MARAG and Land Forum India, FES showcased experiences from India's pastoral landscapes, highlighting commons-based livestock systems, women in pastoralism, and community champions working on stewardship and pasture governance.

The case study by Rainfed Livestock Network (RLN) received recognition at the dialogue for its efforts to strengthen extensive livestock systems through collaborative and multi-stakeholder approaches.

Held as part of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026, the dialogue brought together governments, researchers, practitioners, and pastoral organisations to strengthen support for pastoral communities and build momentum towards future global discussions, including UNCCD COP17.

International Land Coalition

What happens after a planting site has been prepared and saplings are sown in the ground?The next stage of restoration f...
11/06/2026

What happens after a planting site has been prepared and saplings are sown in the ground?
The next stage of restoration frequently involves a series of ongoing interventions that help young plants establish themselves in challenging conditions.

Join us for the fourth session of the Revegetation Forums, where we will explore post-planting operations and their role in supporting the survival and growth of planted saplings, seeds and naturally regenerating vegetation.

The session will cover:
- Weeding and the removal of unwanted or invasive plants that compete for sunlight, water, nutrients and space
- Mulching with locally available biomass such as dry leaves, grasses and crop residues to help retain moisture, reduce erosion and improve soil conditions over time
- Approaches to preserve soil moisture during dry periods and support plant survival in areas affected by erratic or low rainfall

The conversation will also examine an important question faced across many restoration sites: when regular watering is not possible due to scale, terrain or cost, what alternatives can help young plants withstand moisture stress and continue to grow?

Join practitioners, researchers and restoration professionals as they share experiences from the field and discuss the scientific realities of supporting revegetation efforts beyond planting: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6vJhj35wSRSlsbdhXfMKQQ #/registration

Date: 12 June 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM IST
Location: Webinar open to all

Measure the water level in at least one well near you and record it using the Groundwater Monitoring Tool.Mapping the sa...
08/06/2026

Measure the water level in at least one well near you and record it using the Groundwater Monitoring Tool.

Mapping the same well every season helps build long-term insights into the groundwater trends in your area. Every observation contributes to a larger, community-driven understanding of how our water resources are changing over time.

Your participation is vital. The more people take part, the stronger our collective ability to understand local water realities, identify emerging challenges and support informed, sustainable governance. This is more than data collection; it is a shared effort towards our collective water security and resilience for our communities.

Download the GWM Tool here: https://www.indiaobservatory.org.in/tool/gmt

Share widely. Start measuring.
Let's collectively take efforts towards sustainable water governance.

India Observatory

This World Environment Day, we're delighted to launch Learning from Landscapes: A Citizen Science Calendar for 2026-27. ...
05/06/2026

This World Environment Day, we're delighted to launch Learning from Landscapes: A Citizen Science Calendar for 2026-27.

​Designed as a year-long citizen science journey, the calendar follows the seasonal rhythms of India's Commons through monthly themes ranging from wetlands, birds and pollinators to tree phenology, freshwater health, soil biodiversity and more. Along the way, it also explores the connections between biodiversity, livelihoods, local knowledge and stewardship.

At a time when environmental issues are becoming increasingly visible, paying closer attention to the life around us can be a powerful place to begin. Every observation, whether of a bird, a tree, a pollinator or a waterbody, adds to our awareness of the landscapes we depend upon.

We invite communities, students, practitioners and nature enthusiasts to observe, document and learn from the biodiversity found across our Commons through this year-long activity.

Explore the calendar here:https://fes.org.in/resources//2026/learning-from-landscapes-a-citizen-science-initiative.pdf

Stay tuned for more!

UN Environment Programme

World Environment Day often prompts conversations about restoring ecosystems. But how does restoration actually take roo...
04/06/2026

World Environment Day often prompts conversations about restoring ecosystems. But how does restoration actually take root? Successful restoration is not only about planting more trees.

Join us for the third session of the Revegetation Forums as we come together with field practitioners, community members, researchers and experts working across landscapes to discuss diverse planting approaches.

This episode focuses on the role of planting and cutting operations in ecological restoration. The discussion will explore how suitable native species are selected, and how different planting approaches are used across restoration sites.

Alongside planting saplings, the session will also discuss how cutting operations also support the conservation of rare and threatened plant species.

Date: 5 June 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM IST
Location: Webinar open to all

Join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6vJhj35wSRSlsbdhXfMKQQ #/registration

Two villages from Mandla district, Bhanpur Kheda and Chhichari, were recognised through the State Biodiversity Conservat...
03/06/2026

Two villages from Mandla district, Bhanpur Kheda and Chhichari, were recognised through the State Biodiversity Conservation Awards recently in May 2026.

The State Biodiversity Conservation Awards are held annually by the Madhya Pradesh State Biodiversity Board to celebrate significant contributions made towards conserving biodiversity in the region. Initiatives such as these recognise the importance of community effort, local leadership and Commons stewardship.

The recognition follows years of work led by local communities to restore and protect their Commons. In both villages, parts of the village common lands covered with lantana were gradually restored through community-led stewardship. Through discussions in Gram Paryavaran Samitis, voluntary labour, collective decisions and community-set rules, these landscapes began to recover.

Regeneration improved regional biodiversity and the availability of fodder and forest produce, supported groundwater recharge, and strengthened the relationship between communities and the Commons they depend on.

Congratulations to the communities of Bhanpur Kheda and Chhichari, the Gram Paryavaran Samitis, and everyone who has contributed to these efforts over the years. Kudos to the FES team in Mandla, who have been partners along this journey.

02/06/2026

For many forest-dwelling communities, biodiversity is not separate from everyday life. It already exists in how they collect forest produce, conserve flora and fauna, recognise seasonal changes, know of migratory patterns, protect their Commons and observe and interact with their surroundings.

This International Day for Biological Diversity, activities across landscapes took many different forms.

In some places, people gathered near wetlands to talk about birds and changes they have observed over the years. In others, forest seeds were collected for future regeneration initiatives, groundwater levels were monitored in village wells and discussions were held around forests, biodiversity and local conservation practices.

Some events recognised grassroots conservation efforts, while others served as spaces for planning, discussion, and sharing experiences related to biodiversity and the commons.

Although the activities were diverse across states, they were primarily centred around the way of life these communities share with local ecosystems and the everyday relationships between people and their biodiversity.

Sometimes stewardship begins with something as small as a pot of water hung on a tree. A quiet gesture of coexistence. A...
29/05/2026

Sometimes stewardship begins with something as small as a pot of water hung on a tree. A quiet gesture of coexistence. A relationship sustained through care.

Across villages in Banspal, clay pots filled with water are being hung from trees to provide water for birds and other small wildlife during the intense summer heat. By involving children, this initiative encourages them to slow down, observe, and engage more closely with biodiversity.

Mynas, sparrows, bulbuls, drongos, parrots, crows, and other local bird species have been regularly visiting these water bodies, which are being refilled daily by communities.

Across villages in Banspal, clay pots filled with water are being hung from trees to provide water for birds and other small wildlife during the intense summer heat. By involving children, this initiative encourages them to slow down, observe and engage with biodiversity more closely.e closely.

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