The target landscapes under the SGP-OP7 include regions in India that have a relatively high population belonging to vulnerable and often marginalized communities in India. In the North eastern Region, 21.9% of the population belongs to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) which is one of the most vulnerable populations in India. In the Indian Coastal Region, 3.7% of the population in this region belongs to the Scheduled Tribe or the ST community while about 4.9% belongs to the Scheduled Caste or the SC community. The Central Semi-arid Region, on the other hand, has a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 27.1% implying the existence of a large vulnerable human population that has an even more marginalised access to resources. These communities are important stakeholders in conserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change or preventing and treating land degradation especially because they live in close contact with their environment and natural ecosystems, often depending on them for day to day survival.

Out of the regions under consideration, coastal Maharashtra consists of a population that has about 5% of its population belonging to the Schedule Caste or the SCs. The SGP focuses on community engagement and the improvement in the social ecology in the selected regions in consideration of the increased vulnerability of such groups residing in the selected project landscapes. It also gives the community members new opportunities and responsibilities such as allowing them to run the projects alongside the other stakeholders. Such activities not only ensure their active involvement but also desired outcomes as these populations show perseverance to better their situation. Inclusivity ensures the sustainable development maxim of ‘leave no one behind’.