Iora Ecological Solutions Focused on Nature-based Solutions

Iora Ecological Solutions (IORA), a company dedicated to developing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate action and ecosystem conservation, has successfully raised Rs 8.5 crore (around $1 million) in debt funding from Caspian Impact Investments (Caspian Debt).

Funding for Scaling Agroforestry and Land Restoration

The funding will be allocated to expanding its MegCare agroforestry and land restoration initiative in Meghalaya. This program is designed to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, enhance forest cover, and boost rural livelihoods through sustainable agroforestry techniques, as announced in a recent press release.

Expertise and Project Implementation

Established in 2009 by Swapan Mehra, IORA operates as an environmental advisory firm, offering expertise in environmental finance, policy, scientific research, and project execution. Over the last 15 years, the company has carried out more than 200 projects worldwide, concentrating on conservation, natural resource management, as well as climate mitigation and adaptation.

Benefits for Smallholder Farmers

According to IORA, the MegCare initiative is set to assist 80,000 smallholder farmers throughout Meghalaya by employing a carbon finance model that links ecosystem restoration with the generation of sustainable income.

Broad Impact Across Regions

IORA asserts that its methods for tackling climate change, agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity conservation cover 20 million hectares across 27 Indian states, two union territories, and multiple countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America.