Foundation for Ecological Security

Registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI 1860, the Foundation for Ecological Security was set up in 2001 to strengthen the "massive and critical task of ecological restoration" and improve the governance of natural resources in India.

According to their website, the mission statement of the organization is, "As 'ecological security' is the foundation of sustainable and equitable development, the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) is committed to strengthening, reviving or restoring, where necessary, the process of ecological succession and the conservation of land, forest and water resources in the country."{{cite web|url=http://www.fes.org.in/includeAll.php?pId=Mi0zOC0x |title=Foundation for Ecological Security - Our Mission |publisher=Fes.org.in |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04}}

As of March 2022, FES and Partner NGOs collaborate with 41,880 village institutions, improving environmental stewardship of 12.52 million acres of common lands, impacting 24.8 million lives across 14 Indian states: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.

The central theme of the work done by FES revolves around intertwining principles of nature conservation and strengthening village institutions so as to directly improve the living conditions of the poor and the marginalized. FES support Panchayats and their subcommittees, Village Forest Committees, Gramya Jungle Committees, Water Users Associations, and Watershed Committees. Regardless of the form of the institution, FES strives for a future where local village communities determine and move towards desirable land-use based on principles of conservation and social justice.{{cite web |url=http://www.omidyar.com/about_us/news/2010/07/15/omidyar-network-commits-21-m-foundation-ecological-security-secure-rights-c |title=ON | Omidyar Network Commits $2.1M to the Foundation for Ecological Security to Secure Rights to Common Land for India's Poor |publisher=Omidyar.com |date=2010-07-15 |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130131045146/http://www.omidyar.com/about_us/news/2010/07/15/omidyar-network-commits-21-m-foundation-ecological-security-secure-rights-c |archivedate=2013-01-31 }}

FES collaborates with several practitioners and academic bodies engaged in ecological restoration, community institutions, and rural livelihoods.

FES partners with the Dakshin Foundation to publish Common Voices{{cite web |url=http://www.dakshin.org/928 |title=Common Voices Newsletter |publisher=Dakshin.org |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203101126/http://www.dakshin.org/928 |archivedate=2012-02-03 }} and Current Conservation.{{cite web |url=http://www.currentconservation.org/Welcome.html |title=Our website is currently being renovated. You can read all our issues online here, but please visit us soon for a more exciting and updated site |publisher=Currentconservation.org |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226015704/http://www.currentconservation.org/Welcome.html |archivedate=2012-12-26 }} With Kalpavriksh, FES brings out the Protected Area Update{{cite web|title=Kalpavriksh Documentation and Outreach|date=12 August 2015|url=https://kalpavriksh.org/documentation-outreach/|publisher=Kalpavriksh.org}} and Forest Case Update.{{cite web |url=http://forestcaseindia.org/newstrial/ |title=Updates on our Forests |publisher=forestcaseindia.org |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130414182649/http://forestcaseindia.org/newstrial/ |archivedate=2013-04-14 }}

In collaboration with Collective Action and Property Rights (CAPRI), FES seeks to advance common interests on collective action and property rights of communities through developing effective advocacy, communication, and training materials.

FES collaborates with different universities: Washington University in St. Louis, to study subjects related to systems dynamics,{{cite web |url=https://brownschool.wustl.edu/newsroom/PressRelease/Pages/systemsdynamics.aspx |title=Systems dynamics modeling shows great promise for violence prevention |publisher=Brownschool.wustl.edu |date=2010-10-04 |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009025636/http://brownschool.wustl.edu/newsroom/PressRelease/Pages/systemsdynamics.aspx |archivedate=2010-10-09 }} energy conservation,{{cite web |url=http://gwbweb.wustl.edu/Faculty/Research/SocialSystemDesignLab/Pages/ICARES.aspx |title=EnergyPoverty |publisher=Gwbweb.wustl.edu |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130213052841/http://gwbweb.wustl.edu/Faculty/Research/SocialSystemDesignLab/Pages/ICARES.aspx |archivedate=2013-02-13 }} coupled human and natural systems;{{cite web |author1=Fighting Health |author2=Environmental Risks in India |url=https://gwbweb.wustl.edu/newsroom/PressRelease/Pages/FightingHealthandEnvironmentalRisksinIndia.aspx |title=Fighting Health and Environmental Risks in India |publisher=Gwbweb.wustl.edu |date=2009-01-07 |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620031859/http://gwbweb.wustl.edu/newsroom/PressRelease/Pages/FightingHealthandEnvironmentalRisksinIndia.aspx |archivedate=2013-06-20 }} Clemson University, on hydrological studies;{{cite web|url=http://www.clemson.edu/ces/eees/research/highlight.html |title=Highlighted Project : Clemson University |publisher=Clemson.edu |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04}} University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,{{cite web |url=http://www.ii.umich.edu/csas/academics/researchprojects/facultyresearch/snrelinkswithindia_ci |title=Faculty Research | Center for South Asian Studies | University of Michigan |publisher=Ii.umich.edu |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725115225/http://www.ii.umich.edu/csas/academics/researchprojects/facultyresearch/snrelinkswithindia_ci |archive-date=2012-07-25 |url-status=dead }} and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,{{cite web |last1=Chhatre |first1=Ashwini |title=Ashwini Chhatre: Curriculum Vitae |url=https://apps.atlas.illinois.edu/CvStorage/documents/users/achhatre |website=University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919090908/https://apps.atlas.illinois.edu/CvStorage/documents/users/achhatre |archive-date=19 September 2016 |url-status=dead}} on forest resource institutions and climate change.

FES anchors the Rain-fed Livestock Network (RLN),{{cite web |url=http://sapplpp.org/news1/national-workshop-on-breed-promotion-and-conservation-in-rainfed-areas/ |title=National Workshop on 'Breed Promotion and conservation in rainfed areas' |publisher=Sapplpp.org |date=2009-07-21 |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513200323/http://sapplpp.org/news1/national-workshop-on-breed-promotion-and-conservation-in-rainfed-areas/ |archivedate=2012-05-13 }} a consortium of NGOs which works to highlight issues related to livestock rearers in rain-fed areas of India. FES is also a member of the 'Future of Conservation' consortium, and the Revitalization of the Rain-fed Agricultural Network.{{cite web|url=http://www.wassan.org/Support_Services_8.htm |title=Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture |publisher=WASSAN |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04}}

FES is currently a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature{{cite web |url=http://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/asia/working_together/asia_members/members_list/india/ |title=Members in India |publisher=IUCN |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113063455/http://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/asia/working_together/asia_members/members_list/india/ |archivedate=2012-11-13 }} International Land Coalition,{{cite web |url=http://www.landcoalition.org/members/list?page=1 |title=Members: all ILC Members | International Land Coalition |publisher=Landcoalition.org |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301072254/http://www.landcoalition.org/members/list?page=1 |archivedate=2013-03-01 }} International Association for the Study on the Commons,{{cite web|url=http://www.iasc-commons.org/blog/thirteenth-biennial-conference-international-association-study-commons-iasc |title=Thirteenth Biennial Conference of the International Association for the Study of Commons - IASC |publisher=Iasc-Commons |date=2009-12-18 |accessdate=2013-01-04}} International Society of Ecological Economics (ISEE) and its Indian chapter,{{cite web|url=http://www.ecoinsee.org/lifemember_cb.htm |title=Life Members of Corporate Bodies |publisher=Ecoinsee.org |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04}} the Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) Consortium, and the United Nations Economic and Social Council.{{cite web |url=http://csonet.org/ngocommittee/content/documents/e201232partidraft.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-12-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816172856/http://csonet.org/ngocommittee/content/documents/e201232partidraft.pdf |archivedate=2012-08-16 }}

FES has been supported by many funding partners over the years, including Arghyam, Concern Worldwide, The Duleep Matthai Nature Conservation Trust, Fondation Ensemble, Ford Foundation, Department of Rural Development (Government of Andhra Pradesh), Department of Rural Development (Government of Gujarat), Department of Rural Development (Government of Andhra Rajasthan), Grow-Trees, Hilton Foundation, Irrigation, and Command Area Development (I&CAD) Department (Government of Andhra Pradesh), ITC – Sunehra Kal Initiative, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Omidyar Network,{{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/omidyar-network-commits-2.1-mn-to-fes/647935 |title=Omidyar Network commits $2.1 mn to FES |publisher=Financialexpress.com |accessdate=2013-01-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130123055532/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/omidyar-network-commits-2.1-mn-to-fes/647935 |archivedate=2013-01-23 }} Royal Bank of Scotland Foundation, Rufford Small Grant Programme, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts (SDTT), Jamsetji Tata Trust (JTT), Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO), UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), and GIZ.{{cite web |url=http://www.fes.org.in/includeAll.php?pId=Mi0yMS01 |title=Foundation for Ecological Security - Funding |publisher=Fes.org.in |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04 |archive-date=8 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308083242/http://fes.org.in/includeAll.php?pId=Mi0yMS01 |url-status=dead }}

FES was a recipient of the [http://www.skollfoundation.org/about/skoll-awards/ Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship] in 2015, and Jagdeesh Rao was honored during the awards ceremony as part of the Skoll World Forum in Oxford, England on 16 April 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.skollfoundation.org/skoll-entrepreneurs/2015-skoll-awardees/|website=2015 Skoll Awards|accessdate=19 April 2015|title=Skoll | Skoll Awardees|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092209/http://www.skollfoundation.org/skoll-entrepreneurs/2015-skoll-awardees/|url-status=dead}}

In 2013, FES was awarded the Times of India Social Impact Award 2012 in the Environment category. It was jointly shared with [http://www.dhan.org/ Dhan Foundation].{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/TOI-Social-Impact-Awards-They-battled-the-odds-to-even-the-chances/articleshow/17960971.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=TOI Social Impact Awards: They battled the odds to even the chances - The Times of India | date=2013-01-10}}

On the World Day to Combat Desertification (17 June) the Foundation for Ecological Security was awarded the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) instituted Land for Life Award 2013 for its work on assisting village communities in the sustainable management of common lands in India.{{Cite web |url=http://www.unccd.int/en/programmes/Event-and-campaigns/LandForLife/Pages/default.aspx |title=UNCCD - LandforLifeAward |access-date=2013-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629185411/http://www.unccd.int/en/programmes/Event-and-campaigns/LandForLife/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=2013-06-29 |url-status=dead }}

The Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) is also the recipient of the prestigious Elinor Ostrom International Award on Collective Governance of the Commons for the year 2013, for outstanding contribution to the practice of Commons governance.{{cite web |url=http://elinorostromaward.org/2013-Award-Results |title=2013 Award Results | Elinor Ostrom Award |accessdate=2015-05-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711053842/http://elinorostromaward.org/2013-Award-Results |archivedate=2013-07-11 }}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://fes.org.in/ Foundation for Ecological Security]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060908045106/http://www.nddb.org/institutions/fes.html National Dairy Development Board's article on the Foundation for Ecological Security]

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Category:Non-profit organisations based in India

Category:Environmental organisations based in India

Category:Wetlands organizations