India's first Green Climate Fund (GCF) Project for groundwater recharge and solar micro irrigation to ensure food security and enhance resilience in vulnerable tribal areas of Odisha was approved by GCF Board on Thursday.
According to a senior official in the State Government, this prestigious project has obtained technical clearance from the Nabard, which is the national implementing entity. It has the approval of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
The project was conceptualised by the State Department of Water Resources. The project document was prepared by leading climate change advisory firm CTRAN.
The GCF would provide a grant of 34 million USD to the Government of Odisha through the Nabarad. The project would impact 5.2 million vulnerable food insecure households in 15 priority districts with high level of food insecurity.
The intended beneficiaries account for 12 per cent of the population of Odisha. It will directly impact 1.54 million vulnerable SC and ST households. The project would be for six years.