Overview

The Habitats Trust (THT) announced the recipients of the ninth edition of its annual grant programme, allocating a total of Rs 3.3 crore to six distinct biodiversity‑conservation projects operating across India. The awards were presented on 8 August 2026 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and aim to protect threatened species and critical habitats through innovative, community‑led, and science‑driven interventions.

Grant Allocation and Project Details

  • Conservation Grant – supports organisations addressing broader conservation challenges, focusing on lesser‑known species and habitats:
  • Arulagam – implements a One Health approach to conserve critically endangered vultures and hyenas in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu.
  • Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology – leads the “Croak, Coexist, and Conserve” initiative to protect threatened amphibians in human‑shaped river‑catchment landscapes of the Western Ghats through community participation.
  • Action Grant – funds urgent on‑ground projects requiring immediate intervention:
  • Devvrat Singh – conducts evidence‑based, community‑led conservation of the Indian wolf in Bahraich’s intense human–wolf conflict zones, strengthening OECM (Other Effective Area‑Based Conservation Measures) approaches.
  • Nagpur Centre for Peoples Social Forum – drives community‑led grassland conservation and fodder security around two protected areas in Vidarbha.
  • Research Grant – backs interdisciplinary research that informs evidence‑based action:
  • Centre for Ecology, Development and Research (CEDAR) – performs a Remnant and Restorable Ecosystem (RARE) assessment to develop a blueprint for conserving and restoring Himalayan oak forests.
  • MS Swaminathan Research Foundation – undertakes coastal habitat monitoring to enhance resilience, species conservation, and community well‑being.

Evaluation Process

THT received 117 applications from across the country. After a rigorous five‑stage evaluation, 27 projects were shortlisted for field evaluation. From these, 10 finalists presented detailed proposals before an expert jury, which comprised:

  • Roshni Nadar Malhotra – Chairperson, HCL Group and Founder & Trustee, The Habitats Trust
  • Dr. M. K. Ranjitsinh – wildlife expert and architect of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
  • Bahar Dutt – wildlife biologist and environmental journalist
  • Brian Heath – Founder & CEO, Mara Conservancy, Kenya

The jury assessed proposals on conservation relevance, scientific rigour, feasibility, stakeholder engagement, scalability, and long‑term impact before selecting the six awardees.

Historical Impact of the Programme

Since its inception in 2018, The Habitats Trust Grants have supported 38 conservation projects across 21 states and 5 union territories, disbursing more than Rs 16.2 crore to strengthen grassroots conservation efforts. The programme now operates in 32 states and UTs, partnering with over 120 organisations and covering an area of over six lakh hectares.

Statements from Leadership

  • Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Founder & Trustee, said India’s biodiversity extends far beyond iconic wildlife, encompassing thousands of lesser‑known species that sustain ecological balance. She highlighted that the grants “strengthen biodiversity conservation today and help secure a healthier, more resilient future for generations to come.”
  • Rushikesh Chavan, Director, The Habitats Trust, noted the “growing momentum of conservation efforts across India” and emphasized how local knowledge, scientific expertise, and community participation combine to create lasting impact.

About The Habitats Trust

Founded in 2018 by Roshni Nadar Malhotra (Chairperson, HCL Technologies) and Shikhar Malhotra (CEO & Vice‑Chairman, HCL Healthcare), THT addresses biodiversity loss, climate crisis, and water scarcity through pioneering, regenerative models. The trust works in 32 states and UTs, collaborates with over 120 partners, and focuses on cutting‑edge technology, ecological restoration, and species‑habitat conservation.

For further information, visit: www.thehabitatstrust.org/tht-research-grant.php