Ninth edition recognises six projects protecting threatened species and critical habitats across the country
The Habitats Trust (THT) has announced the recipients of the ninth edition of the Habitats Trust Grants, awarding INR 33 million to six conservation projects across diverse ecosystems, including mangroves, Himalayan oak forests and grasslands. The grants support innovative, community-led and science-driven approaches to conserving India’s threatened species and ecosystems.
In a press statement, the Habitats Trust, a not-for-profit organisation of HCL, India’s third largest Information Technology firm, says that India is home to nearly 8 pc of the world’s recorded biodiversity, making it one of the richest repositories of wildlife and ecosystems globally. It adds that protecting this natural heritage requires sustained support for conservation efforts across landscapes and species, including lesser-known flora and fauna that play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Through its annual grants programme, THT supports conservation practitioners working on innovative, science-led and community-driven conservation solutions across the country.
The statement says that this year’s grants have been awarded under three categories reflecting diverse conservation priorities. Under the THT Conservation Grant, Arulagam has been selected for its One Health approach to conserving critically endangered vultures and hyenas in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu, while Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology has been awarded for its project on conserving threatened amphibians in human-shaped landscapes of river catchments in the Western Ghats through community participation.
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Under the THT Action Grant, Devvrat Singh has been selected for an evidence-based, community-led conservation project for the Indian wolf in Bahraich’s human-wildlife conflict landscapes, while Nagpur Centre for Peoples Social Forum has been awarded for its community-led grassland conservation and fodder security initiative around two protected areas in Vidarbha.
The THT Research Grant recipients include the Centre for Ecology, Development and Research (CEDAR), which will develop a blueprint for the conservation and restoration of Himalayan oak forests through its Remnant and Restorable Ecosystem (RARE) assessment, and the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, which will undertake coastal habitat monitoring to enhance ecosystem resilience, species conservation and community well-being.
Roshni Nadar Malhotr
“India’s biodiversity is far beyond its iconic wildlife. It includes thousands of lesser-known species and ecosystems that quietly sustain ecological balance and support millions of lives. Through The Habitats Trust Grants, we are proud to support the conservationists working tirelessly to protect this natural heritage. Their work not only strengthens biodiversity conservation today but also helps secure a healthier and more resilient future for generations to come,” says Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Founder and Trustee, the Habitats Trust.
Rushikesh Chavan
“The quality and diversity of applications this year reflects the growing momentum of conservation efforts across India. From protecting overlooked species and restoring critical habitats to generating research that informs conservation action, these projects show how local knowledge, scientific expertise and community participation can come together to create meaningful and lasting impact,” says Rushikesh Chavan, Director, the Habitats Trust.
