Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are a new conservation approach, separate from protected areas, where effective conservation of biodiversity is achieved mainly as a by-product of other management objectives. A wide variety of sites in India have the potential to become OECMs. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), National Biodiversity Authority of India (NBA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are in the process of identifying, mapping and documenting OECMs in India.

The brochure briefly documents some of potential OECMs in India ranging from unique agricultural systems to individual green lands to industrial estates. The conservation practices are being undertaken by a diverse set of people, including private actors, local communities, individuals and government agencies. These diverse models of conservation will inspire and encourage more people to conserve our rich biological heritage.