A Country Platform of the ICCA Consortium
A self-organised collective committed to the recognition, support, and sustainability of Territories of Life — advancing community-led protection, governance, and stewardship of biodiversity-rich territories across India.
The National Working Group on Community Conserved Areas (NWG-CCA) is a self-organised collective of like-minded organisations, movements, and individuals committed to the recognition, support, and sustainability of Territories of Life — referred to in the Indian context as Community Conserved Areas (CCAs). The group was formally constituted in 2022 with the aim of advancing community-led protection, governance, and long-term stewardship of biodiversity-rich territories across India.
In both philosophy and practice, NWG-CCA serves as the India chapter of the ICCA Consortium, a global network advocating for the rights and roles of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conserving nature. The environmental action group Kalpavriksh serves as the national secretariat, providing full-time coordination, logistical, and documentation support.
NWG-CCA functions through a collaborative and decentralised model, with decision-making rooted in collective consensus. It is governed by its members and led by a Chair and Co-Chair, who provide strategic guidance, representation, and cross-thematic coordination.
The NWG-CCA exists to:
The NWG-CCA is India’s national working group within the ICCA Consortium’s South Asia region, guided by its Chair and Co-Chair, anchored by its secretariat, and carried out through member-led sub-groups.
The NWG works through seven thematic steering committees, each led by members and supported by the Secretariat. Their plans come together in a consolidated National Strategic Action Plan, developed at the Annual National Meeting and reviewed quarterly.
Community engagement, peer support, and intergenerational learning.
Studies on governance, socio-ecological dimensions, and customary institutions.
Mapping, case studies, the ICCA Registry, and visual and oral narratives.
Public policy engagement and CCA recognition frameworks.
Rights-based conservation, legal support, and empowering community institutions.
Coastal ICCAs, small-scale fisheries, and marine biodiversity.
Outreach, storytelling, media, publications, and digital platforms.
Community plantation and restoration work
India is home to thousands of community-managed ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity and cultural value. NWG-CCA plays a critical role in strengthening the governance systems of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, securing legal rights, and influencing conservation policy at the national level.
This national working group is not a project — it is a process of movement-building, bringing visibility and solidarity to communities protecting nature for generations.
Through its evolving structure and collective commitment, NWG-CCA continues to play a crucial role in empowering communities, influencing policies, and promoting ecological stewardship rooted in customary knowledge and practices.
Community training workshop, Oran Training Centre, Alwar
Whether you are part of a custodian community, a supporting organisation, a researcher, or someone who believes conservation belongs in community hands — we would like to hear from you.
nwgccaindia@gmail.com