BCRLIP is a, world Bank funded, project directed at strengthening conservation of biodiversity in various high priority landscape sites of India. Enhancement of livelihoods for the marginalized sections of the inhabitant communities is seen a major plank of the strategy to aid biodiversity conservation. The project is the first national level attempt at linking conservation and local livelihoods
on landscape scale. This is to be achieved by improving policies, tools and methodologies, knowledge and skills for developing multi-stakeholder partnerships that support mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation models, and improving cost-effectiveness and sustainable funding for conservation of biodiversity at the landscape level.. The Bank and MoEF has identified Greater Gir Conservation Area - Gujarat as one of the learning sites along with Periyar Tiger Reserve- Kerala (PTR) and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve - Tamilnadu (KMTR). The objectives of the Gir Learning Centre are to:
- Piloting the demonstration of the Regional Conservation Planning for the Biodiversity Conservation, and
- Providing capacity and expertise for Regional Conservation Planning to other Biodiversity Conservation landscape sites. The Focus of the Regional Planninmg would be on :
i. Conservation of Core Area, Gir PA. Conservation of satellite habitats. Conservation of Corridors connecting core area i,e, Gir PA with satellite habitats. Ecosystem compatible development of local communities outside the core area, satellite habitats and corridors. Anti-poaching measures. Measures preventing Man-Animal Conflict. Wildlife health and rescue, post rescue care. viii. Awareness and education. ix. Increased support for monitoring, research and study.
