The Habitats Trust Grant Symposium Coming to Dehradun

Dehradun: The Habitats Trust, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and conservation of India’s natural habitats and native species, is set to organise its Grants symposium in Dehradun on June 14th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Café Laata. Following the successful symposiums in Jaipur and Chennai, where The Habitats Trust addressed queries of the passionate conservationists present and helped them in refining and strengthening their proposals, they aim to build on this momentum in Dehradun, a city known for its rich biodiversity. The city is important as it serves as a crucial part to the Himalayas, a region recognized by the global scientific community as a biodiversity hotspot of paramount importance.

Despite boasting 7-8% of the world’s recorded species and four global biodiversity hotspots, India’s conservation efforts often lack funding due to competing human needs. The Habitats Trust aims to bridge this gap by holding workshops for grassroots conservationists. These workshops equip participants with the skills to design effective grant proposals, attracting institutional support for their on-the-ground conservation work.

“Uttarakhand, with its lush Sal forests and towering pine trees, is a treasure trove of biodiversity nestled among the Himalayas. This region is also home to various National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and is renowned for its prosperous biodiversity,” said Rushikesh Chavan, Head of The Habitats Trust. “However, over the years non-holistic development has been a significant challenge to the ecosystems in this area. This symposium is essential for local organisations to identify and address regional conservation issues, equipping them with the skills to write effective proposals and secure funding to tackle these challenges.”

The Habitats Trust’s application portal for its annual The Habitats Trust Grants will remain open till 1^st July and can be accessed at https://www.thehabitatstrust.org . 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.

Experts including scientists and subject-matter specialists, 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 organisation’s commitment to nurturing conservation efforts.

Prospective grant recipients and non-profit organisations working towards conserving India’s biodiversity are invited to apply under the following categories:

• THT Conservation Grant: Supporting organisations 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.
• 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.     

The Habitats Trust tackles conservation issues nationwide, from marine life to endangered species. They partner with NGOs and government bodies (like the Indian Navy) to combine knowledge and resources. Their projects include habitat restoration, technology for conservation, and on-ground efforts like conflict mitigation in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

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