As the key partner for the Narmada Pavitra Sarvada Abhiyan, Iora Ecological Trust was engaged to strengthen public-private partnerships, monitor the project progress and ensure a lasting ecological impact. We worked extensively towards the conservation of the Narmada River and supported activities for revival of rich biodiversity around the area. We collaborated with the Narmadapuram Division to unite the public and private sectors and secure support for upcoming riparian development, leading to the implementation of solutions that uplift the local communities who depend on the river for their livelihoods. This partnership ensured sustainability while uplifting those communities that relied on it; moreover, we remained dedicated to expanding the campaign to maximize its ecological and social benefits.

In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), we conducted a comprehensive assessment the private sector investment in biodiversity in India. This study identified potential partnership opportunities with financial institutions (FIs) to leverage further funding for biodiversity across India. The findings served as a foundational framework utilised by the UNDP and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and designed the next phase of the national Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) India programme with a specific focus on mobilising Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments for conservation, and ensuring sustainable financing for India’s natural ecosystems.

We launched a community-based Clean Cooking Clean Energy Initiative in the Nagaon and Sonitpur districts of Assam to address the interconnected challenges of household air pollution, forest degradation, and rural livelihoods. By replacing inefficient traditional cookstoves with scientifically verified clean cookstoves, the initiative significantly reduced indoor smoke exposure and heavy fuelwood dependency, while improving fuelwood efficiency by 65%. Supported through a dedicated crowdfunding campaign, the initiative also promoted community adoption through equipment trials, reducing pressure on surrounding forests while improving public health and quality of life.

Implemented in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), and IIT Mandi, FarmerZone is a digital agriculture platform that empowers farmers through data-driven advisory services. FarmerZone is a cloud-based service that offers curated data solutions to improve farm productivity, optimise crop yields and market connectivity. As a core implementation and environmental advisory partner, we facilitated intensive farm-level data collection across multiple geographies to drive personalised solutions, strengthen agricultural resilience, and bridge market connectivity gaps. The programme successfully registered more than 6000 farmers across multiple states, along with the app providing relevant information regarding the crop production practices and connecting farmers with reliable sources. IORA effectively bridged the gap between isolated smallholders and profitable supply chains, empowering farmers with the commercial intelligence needed to build climate resilience and maximise financial returns.

Iora Ecological Trust conducted a comprehensive study to assess and evaluate the present status of Forest Development Corporations (FDCs), their various activities, their financial status, institutional activities and explore their scope for diversification since inception. Currently in the active data-gathering and stakeholder consultation phase, IORA is conducting deep-dive assessments to map out sustainable diversification strategies following historical policy-driven financial declines. Ultimately, this study will map out sustainable, analytical solutions backed by close consultation with key industry stakeholders, balancing commercial forestry with national conservation and climate goals.

In partnership with CleanMax, Iora Ecological Trust implemented an integrated landscape restoration programme to address forest degradation, clean energy deficits and declining productivity across villages. As part of the initiative, 5,000 native saplings were grown in a newly established project nursery to restore biodiversity and improve soil health; 50 biogas units were installed to reduce dependency on forest firewood; and 7 capacity-building workshops were organised to train local villagers in sustainable land management. The initiative directly benefitted 2,580 individuals and over 5,000 people with indirect benefits. This initiative proves that balancing commercial forestry with local livelihood and energy security is the definitive roadmap for long-term ecological and community resilience.

Iora Ecological Trust participated in the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Represented by a leadership delegation including Mr Swapan Mehra, Dr Madhu Verma, and Dr N Manika, the organisation engaged in high-level sessions focused on advancing nature, climate action, and social justice. Our team member Dr Manika contributed to the congress as a featured speaker, sharing her critical perspectives on inclusive conservation and sector leadership. Our engagement at the Congress centred on knowledge exchange and partnership-building, as we pave the way for long-term, equitable, and nature-positive global conservation strategies.

Iora Ecological Trust is implementing the Green Remedy Project across three villages in Gujarat, Upardal, Zamp and Vanadiya, to strengthen livelihoods and community-based agroforestry by promoting climate-resilient plantation models suitable for local agro-climate conditions and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. The project focuses on farmers training and awareness programmes, village-level meetings, and seed plantation activities across the period of twelve months. Building upon the established framework, the initiative is expanding its reach to train 150 local farmers and establish 12,000 climate-resilient agroforestry species across the target landscapes. By combining training, technical support, field-level engagement, and horticulture samplings, through this project we aim to create diverse awareness and create a direct impact on nature and livelihood.

Commissioned by UNDP India, Iora Ecological Trust led a transformative initiative to design a comprehensive carbon market engagement roadmap for the state of Jharkhand. The proposal focused on a collective approach across various sectors, including Afforestation Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR), actively re-greening 25,000 to 50,000 hectares of land to rebuild native forest cover, and Agricultural Land Management (ALM) across 100,000-150,000 ha of smallholder cropland to enhance farm resilience. Grassland restoration across 40,000-60,000 ha of degraded wasteland to boost local biodiversity; biochar production from agricultural and forest residues; and composting and organic waste management across major urban centres. By treating carbon markets as an infrastructure tool rather than a purely financial product, Iora Ecological Trust and UNDP India ensure local communities remain central to conservation governance. The programme will benefit smallholder farmers and promote a positive approach towards nature and work towards our collective goal.

Iora Ecological Trust, in a consortium with Spark Astronomy Pvt. Ltd. and Life Lab Foundation, successfully established astronomy laboratories in three Kendriya Vidyalaya schools across Jammu & Kashmir and Leh. Developed in partnership with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, this initiative showcases how strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can bring new scientific infrastructure to the country's most remote classrooms. The project was implemented with financial support from Shiv Nadar Foundation (channelled through Vama Sundari Investments Pvt. Ltd.) under Corporate Social Responsibility and in partnership with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. The Astronomy Laboratory project demonstrated that targeted, well-governed, and partnership-driven interventions can successfully bring world-class science infrastructure to remote and underserved schools. This initiative reinforces a long-term commitment to promoting holistic, curiosity-driven education. We remain committed to working on such projects in the future and promoting holistic science-driven education.