Current Context : Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from a small village in Dharwad district, Karnataka, has won the prestigious Equator Initiative Award for their work in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and biodiversity conservation.

ABOUT UNDP EQUATOR INITIATIVE AWARD

• Presented by: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Equator Initiative.
• Frequency: Biennially (once every two years).
• Purpose:
  • Recognise and honour outstanding Indigenous Peoples and local community initiatives.
  • Support efforts addressing land degradation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood improvement.
• Reputation: Known as the “Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation”.

ABOUT BIBI FATIMA WOMEN’S SELF-HELP GROUP (SHG)

• Location: Dharwad district, Karnataka, India.
• Key Initiatives:
  • Introduced millet-based mixed cropping on rainfed farms.
  • Promoted climate-resilient farming systems.
  • Practised livestock rearing and horticulture.
  • Popularised millets for nutrition and sustainability.