Tata Steel Completes First Nature-based Solutions Assessment Aligned with IUCN Global Standard

~ Nearly extinct Sukinda Ecorace silkworm revived through forest restoration ~

Chandigarh, November 27, 2025: The Sukinda Ecorace Conservation Project, led by Tata Steel Foundation in partnership with the Central Silk Board and Central Tasar Research & Training Institute (CTRTI), is working to revive a native silkworm species that was on the brink of extinction. The mid-term Self-Assessment Test report conducted by Tata Steel has been reviewed by IUCN India and found to be in alignment with internationally accepted IUCN Global Standard on Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The project achieved an assessment score of 60% – well above the 25% minimum threshold – and earned an “Adequate” rating across all eight assessment criteria.

Rajiv Mangal, Vice President – Safety, Health & Sustainability, Tata Steel, said: “The mid-term assessment review by IUCN not only validates our commitment to nature-based solutions but also establishes a blueprint for how corporations can contribute meaningfully to biodiversity conservation. This work demonstrates our alignment to the Tata group’s Aalingana goals.”

1. B. Sundara Ramam, Vice President – Corporate Services, Tata Steel,said:“The Sukinda Ecorace Conservation Project showcases the convergence of ecological restoration, community empowerment, and economic viability – the true essence of sustainable development. At Tata Steel, we believe that long-term business success is intrinsically linked to environmental stewardship and community well-being.”

For generations, the Sukinda Ecorace, a trivoltine Tasar silkworm, thrived in the mixed deciduous forests of Sukinda, Odisha. But the introduction of commercial strains and habitat loss nearly erased this native species, devastating traditional livelihoods in the process. To reverse this decline, over 26 hectares of degraded forest land were replanted with Arjun and Asan trees – the host plants, essential for Tasar silkworms. These restored forests now function as biodiversity corridors, sequestering carbon while rebuilding the ecosystem that once supported thriving silkworm populations.

The real innovation lies in the economics. Over 200 households – 50 engaged in plantation activities and 150 in sericulture – now participate in the project. The initiative directly supports India’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It aligns with the National Biodiversity Action Plan and demonstrates how conservation and livelihood regeneration can be achieved simultaneously.