By Gunashekar M, Climate Change, UK Pact
On March 24th and 25th, 2025, a delegation visited the Keystone Foundation for an important project review and interaction with local stakeholders. The team, which included prominent figures such as Ms. Halima Holland, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, Ms. Nicola Millen UK PACT India Country Lead at FCDO, Ms. Kanupriya Sharma, UK PACT Programme Manager at FCDO, Ms. Nayanika Singh, UK PACT India Advisor, Ms. Bharti Jasrotia, Program Coordinator, Arup, and Ms. Tabinda Bashir, Advisor for Climate Change and Energy at FCDO, aimed to assess the progress of the CbMRV project.
The primary objective of the visit was to engage with the Keystone’s CbMRV team and key community stakeholders to review the first phase of the project, which is set to conclude in March 2025. During their time at the Keystone Foundation, the delegation met with several of its specialized teams, including biodiversity conservation, climate change, community well-being, and knowledge hub teams. These teams provided valuable insights into their work and the foundation’s efforts in addressing environmental and social challenges.
Forest range officers from the Nilgiris division of the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change were also present at the event, where they shared their crucial role in forest and wildlife conservation. Their input helped underline the importance of collaboration between government bodies and community organizations in preserving the environment.
A key component of the visit was a field trip to Aracode village panchayat, where the UK PACT team interacted with key community stakeholders involved in the CbMRV project. The discussions were centered around the relevance of the project, lessons learned from phase I, and how phase II could be improved for better impact. The team also explored ways to ensure the sustainability of the project after its completion, emphasizing the importance of continued community involvement and support for long-term success.
Also adding a short note about the visit that was prepared for FCDO –
The British Deputy High Commissioner to Chennai and the Delhi team of FCDO, UK Government, visited Keystone Foundation in the Nilgiris on March 24th and 25th, 2025. Funded by the UK Government’s UK PACT programme (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions), Keystone is implementing a Community-Based Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (CbMRV) project in three unique ecosystems of Tamil Nadu in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu.
On the morning of March 24th, the team visited the Longwood Shola forests, learning about their significance for biodiversity and water conservation. Over two days, Keystone presented the outputs and outcomes of Phase I of the project, including community mobilization, co-development of CbMRV indicators, methods and tools, and capacity building. The delegation also visited the Aracode field center, engaging with community members to understand the project’s impact and future direction.
The discussions focused on the achievements and challenges of the CbMRV model, strategies for Phase II implementation, and long-term sustainability beyond March 2026. Key areas included advocacy efforts and institutional mechanisms to integrate CbMRV into Tamil Nadu’s climate governance system.
Photo Credit: Sneha & Shawn
