The Issue:

Northeast India’s Meghalaya region is a global biodiversity hotspot facing increasing threats from deforestation, unsustainable development, and climate change. Indigenous communities, who have long protected the area’s sacred groves and forests, are now experiencing a cultural and ecological shift as younger generations move away from traditional practices. Without meaningful education opportunities rooted in local knowledge and environmental values, the region risks losing both its ecological integrity and cultural heritage. There is an urgent need to reconnect youth with nature through education that integrates Indigenous stewardship, biodiversity awareness, and sustainable development practices.

 Grant Award Use:

ATCF funding will support the design and construction of a pilot biodiversity learning center in a Khasi Indigenous village, using eco-friendly architecture and built with local materials. The grant will also fund the development of a place-based curriculum co-created with Indigenous youth, elders, and educators, and support the delivery of workshops, field learning, and environmental storytelling activities. This space will serve as a demonstration model for Indigenous-led conservation education, offering visitors, students, and researchers a unique opportunity to learn about the region’s ecosystems and cultural landscapes through an Indigenous lens.

 What Would a Successful Project Result In?

A successful project would result in a fully operational, community-owned education center that empowers Indigenous youth, preserves ecological and cultural knowledge, and strengthens local leadership in biodiversity conservation.