Project TRIBAL

The ITDA Paderu region is characterised by fragmented landholdings, degraded soils, and a heavy dependence on subsistence agriculture, with nearly all households relying on low-productivity farming systems for their livelihoods. Decades of shifting cultivation on steep slopes have led to severe soil erosion, declining vegetative cover, and reduced agricultural productivity, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable to climate variability and economic instability. At the same time, the region lies within a significant biodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Ghats, where continued agricultural expansion and forest fragmentation threaten critical habitats and endemic species. Addressing these overlapping challenges requires an approach that not only restores ecosystems but also creates sustainable and community-driven livelihood opportunities.

Project TRIBAL adopts a landscape-level implementation model that engages local communities through participatory consultations to introduce context-specific agroforestry and regenerative agricultural systems. Coffee-based agroforestry systems are established by integrating shade trees such as Grevillea robusta with coffee cultivation, improving microclimate regulation, enhancing soil structure, and generating a stable, high-value income stream for farmers. In parallel, spice-based agroforestry models combine crops such as ginger, turmeric, and pepper with native fruit and timber species, allowing farmers to benefit from early-stage income while building long-term ecological and economic resilience as tree canopies mature.

To strengthen food security and soil health, the project promotes intercropping systems with pulses and millets, leveraging leguminous crops to enhance nitrogen fixation, improve soil fertility, and support household nutrition. These production systems are complemented by centrally managed composting units that supply organic inputs, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers and enabling circular nutrient management across the landscape. Capacity-building programmes are delivered at scale to equip farmers with regenerative agriculture skills, while cooperative-based market linkages ensure that productivity gains translate into sustained income improvements.

Project TRIBAL is expected to generate significant climate mitigation outcomes through a combination of increased soil organic carbon, enhanced woody biomass, and reduced emissions from conventional agricultural practices. Over a 20-year crediting period, the project is projected to deliver 4.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in net greenhouse gas removals, with an estimated 3.70 million Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) after applying a conservative risk buffer. Carbon accounting is conducted using the VM0017 methodology for SALM projects, supported by robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems that ensure scientific integrity, transparency, and audit readiness throughout the project lifecycle.

At its core, Project TRIBAL is designed to deliver transformative socio-economic benefits for tribal communities. By integrating structured training, input support, and market access, the project enhances livelihood security for over 40,000 community members while building long-term capacity in regenerative agriculture. The initiative places strong emphasis on inclusivity, with at least 20,000 individuals receiving training, including significant participation from women, and the creation of over 800 full-time employment equivalents across project activities.

Improved crop diversification strengthens household food security, while cooperative-led systems enhance access to formal markets and fair pricing mechanisms. The project also strengthens institutional linkages by supporting Scheduled Tribe and PVTG households to organize into collectives. Gender inclusion is a central pillar of the project design, with women actively participating as farmers, community volunteers, and decision-makers, ensuring equitable distribution of benefits and long-term social impact.

Under the Project TRIBAL, biodiversity gains are intrinsically linked to regenerative agriculture and agroforestry interventions across ecologically vital landscapes, often adjacent to protected areas. The project supports the restoration of degraded forest patches and strengthens habitat connectivity, enabling the movement of species across fragmented landscapes. With the introduction of diverse, native/naturalised and non-invasive tree species (15+ species), the project contributes to improved floral and faunal diversity. These landscapes also serve as important habitats for endemic and threatened species, including those classified under IUCN Red List categories, reinforcing their ecological value.

Amrut Nature Solutions serves as the VCS-CCB Project Consultant for TRIBAL, providing end-to-end technical expertise across project development. This includes the design and execution of socio-economic, land-use, and biodiversity baseline assessments, as well as the development of a robust Theory of Change linking project interventions to measurable outcomes across climate, community, and biodiversity dimensions. Amrut has also established a comprehensive monitoring framework with defined indicators, methodologies, and quality assurance protocols to ensure consistent and reliable data collection over the project’s lifetime.

In addition, Amrut has led the preparation of key sections of the CCB Project Description, ensuring full compliance with CCB v3.0 requirements and positioning the project for Gold Level certification under Exceptional Climate, Community, and Biodiversity criteria.