New Delhi, 03rd May 2024: The Habitats Trust, a not-for-profit organisation working towards the protection and conservation of India’s natural habitats and their native species, is inviting applications for its annual The Habitats Trust Grants 2024. The grants, worth Rs 2.75 crores, aim to support holistic, innovative and replicable projects dedicated to the conservation of India’s endangered wildlife and natural habitats. The application forms can be accessed at https://www.thehabitatstrust.org from 6th May to 1st July 2024.
| Important Dates to Note | |
| Application submission dates | 6th May to 1st July 2024 |
| Symposiums Dates | 18th May to 30th June 2024 |
| Grant Recipient Announcement | December 2024 |
In a bid to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among conservationists, a series of symposiums will be conducted in Dehradun, Jaipur, Bhubaneshwar, Coimbatore, Shimla, and Noida from 18th May to 30th June. These symposiums will provide participants with guidance on grant objectives and selection process.
Rushikesh Chavan, Head of The Habitats Trust, said, “At the Habitats Trust, our vision is centered on conserving India’s rich biodiversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our natural ecosystems. Through our grants, we are not just providing funding; we are catalysing impactful conservation efforts that address critical challenges like habitat degradation and species loss. By supporting projects that align with our vision, we aim to inspire collaborative action and drive positive change in wildlife conservation across the country. Together, with our partners and grantees, we can make a significant difference in protecting and restoring our precious natural heritage for future generations.”
Evaluation Process
The panel of 9 experts, including scientists and subject-matter specialists, will conduct a thorough screening of applications. Criteria such as relevance, expected conservation impact, stakeholder engagement, scalability, replicability, and sustainability will guide the selection process, reflecting the organization’s commitment to nurturing conservation efforts.
Prospective grant recipients and non-profit organizations working towards conserving India’s biodiversity are invited to apply under the following categories:
- THT Conservation Grant: Supporting organizations with a proven track record in wildlife conservation for at least five years, this grant aims to address critical challenges such as habitat degradation, loss of biodiversity, and human-wildlife conflict. Two selected projects will receive a grant of Rs 1 crore each and a span of three-year period to maximize the impact.
- Two organizations namely, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) and Wildlife Research and Conservation Society (WRCS) – were the recipients of THT Conservation Grant 2023. SACON’s project aims to conserve the largely overlooked subterranean cave habitat in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. WRCS is working on the conservation of the endangered Forest Owlet in the Khandwa and Burhanpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- THT Action Grant: This grant aims to support urgent conservation interventions for lesser-known species and habitats. Three individuals or organisations will be selected to receive grants of Rs 25 lakhs each, with projects running for a minimum of two years.
- Nature Mates– nature club, Rimung Tasso and Forest First Samhiti, were the recipients of THT Actions Grants 2023. Nature Mates Nature Club is actively enhancing capacities for hornbill conservation near a tiger reserve. Rimung Tasso focuses on community empowerment through ecotourism for the conservation of red pandas and takins in Manigong, Arunachal. Meanwhile, Forest First Samhiti is dedicated to restoring degraded critical elephant habitat in Tholpetty, Wayanad, by supporting local livelihoods.
The Habitats Trust is engaged in impactful projects nationwide including marine, eco-restoration, tech for conservation, and on-ground terrestrial and freshwater initiatives. Besides partnering with NGOs possessing area-specific expertise to facilitate knowledge exchange and tailored conservation efforts, the organisation also works closely with government bodies such as the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Indian Navy. In Dhudhwa Tiger Reserve situated in Uttar Pradesh, the organization works very closely with the state forest department and provides them with mobility and on-request conflict mitigation support in addition to the major conservation and restoration efforts in the area. The Habitats Trust is also working on conserving Hoolock Gibbons, an elusive, endangered species in the Northeastern states of India. The organization believes in addressing the root cause of conservation issues, engaging with key stakeholders, and using technology for conservation.