• Developing an Ecology-based Conservation Strategy for the Indian Pangolin

Our 360° Approach

Six hundred rivers originate from, or are fed by, the tiger-bearing forests of India, making these habitats crucial to our water security. With several million people living in and around forests, we cannot separate communities from conservation. Recognising this, WCT has adopted a 360° approach to conservation by focusing equally on wildlife protection and community development.

Wildlife Conservation

Our flagship science-based conservation programmes focus on highly endangered species such as the tiger, leopard, pangolin, otter, Gangetic river dolphin, gharial, and freshwater turtles, to highlight the ecological importance and strengthen the protection mechanism of large land- and river-scapes.

Ecosystems & Communities

We are working on harnessing public finance to safeguard all types of natural ecosystems including grasslands, deserts, marshlands, mangroves and forests, along with the development needs of communities that live in and around them.

Impact

We currently work in and around 170 Protected Areas across 23 states and four Union Territories of India, covering 82 per cent of the country’s tiger reserves, 25 percent of the national parks and sanctuaries, and impacting a population base of approximately 3.5 million people.

Climate & Conflict Mitigation

Our long-term ecological research in Central India, followed by economic and psychosocial studies, has led to the development and large-scale adoption of our biomass-fuelled, energy-efficient water heater, which is reducing firewood consumption, forest degradation, and human-carnivore conflict.

Ecosystem Restoration

We have embarked upon a rewilding programme that will look to restore natural vegetation and biodiversity across degraded scrublands, grasslands and forestlands with the help of local communities and landholders.

India is home to a dazzling diversity of wildlife, and 1.3 billion people. Our growing needs put immense pressure on our forests, river systems and biodiversity, and intensify the effects of climate change. At the Wildlife Conservation Trust, we are tirelessly working to protect India’s rich biodiversity and life-giving ecosystems through a robust and tested 360 degree approach, which takes into consideration the needs of both wildlife and people.
A Report to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: The critical role of wild animals in shaping wetland ecosystems and the services they provide.

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