The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India along with UNDP implemented a GEF funded project - SECURE Himalaya (Securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems) in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. The aim was to support the government to effectively promote sustainable land and forest management in alpine pastures and forests of high range Himalayan ecosystems, which in turn would help secure sustainable livelihoods and community resilience, and ensure the conservation of globally significant biodiversity and threatened species.
 

Under the project, Dusty Foot Productions developed and implemented a communication strategy and an action plan for a range of diverse stakeholders in the project landscapes in the state of Uttarakhand, to foster advocacy amongst policy makers engaged in research on the Himalayan ecosystems. DFP also worked on generating awareness amongst social/cultural/regional civil society groups, local communities like farmers, youth, students, traders, etc. Towards this, DFP engaged in intensive research and study of the landscape prior to formulating the communication strategy and tools. The entire project stretched over a period of two years.
 

A range of communication tools were designed in the form of newsletters, audio-video modules, short documentaries, radio programs, digital media plug-ins, folk communication and write-ups, brochures and media for a range of stakeholders including government departments, academic and research institutions, civil society bodies, community institutions, private sector, media and local communities. Capacity building workshops were designed for diverse stakeholders, especially local youth and women with respect to communication and advocacy.