Karnataka's Snekunja organization bags UN's Equator Prize 2021

Snehakunja organisation in Uttar Kannada district, Karnataka has been bestowed with the United Nation's Development Programme's Equator prize 2021. Over 45 years, the organization led by Narasimha Hegde has been protecting sensitive wetland and coastal ecosystems in the Western Ghats and Karnataka coast.

Karwar: In recognition of the painstaking efforts made by Snehakunja organisation in conserving Myristica swamps, the United Nations has rewarded it with the Equator prize 2021. Out of 600 nominations received from 130 countries, the UN picked out Snehakunja in Karnataka's Uttar Kannada district and the organization will be bestowed with US$10,000 (Rs.7.5 lakh). The UN's recognition was for chalking out replication and scaling solutions to address the biodiversity crisis.

Piloting the first carbon blue project, Snehakunja has restored over 375 hectares of mangroves. Over 45 years, the organization led by Narasimha Hegde has been protecting sensitive wetland and coastal ecosystems in the Western Ghats and Karnataka coast. The Myristica Swamps Environmental Recovery Project focused on community-based restoration and conservation, according to sources.

Snehakunja supported hundreds of self-help groups and village forest committees to sustainably manage resources based on traditional knowledge, implement natural farming techniques, use clean energy, promote entrepreneurship, and provide community health services, as per sources. Snehakunja's work is pertinent as freshwater swamps and evergreen forests, home to endangered species, balance carbon and maintain critical aquifers for indigenous communities.