Country/Region: India
Partner: Wildlife Trust of India
India’s population has surpassed a billion, putting immense pressure on wildlife. Forestlands that once sheltered diverse animals and birds have drastically diminished. Human-animal conflicts, poaching, and timber smuggling are on the rise.
India’s economic growth has led to development programs encroaching on threatened habitats, causing more natural disasters like floods, fires, and cyclones. The government prioritizes flagship species like tigers, elephants, and rhinos, leaving lesser-known species without needed conservation resources.
To address this issue, our partner, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), runs the “Rapid Action Project (RAP)”. RAP provides short-term, focused aid during conservation emergencies. These projects are implemented through organizations, government agencies, and community stakeholders across India. Each project lasts no more than a year and has a budget focused on specific threats, with funds ready to meet immediate conservation needs.
From November 2019 to October 2022, WTI, with Fondation Segré’s support, funded 39 RAPs. The new phase aims to support up to 27 additional small projects focused on canid conservation, vulture and raptor conservation, anti-poaching efforts, and the rescue and rehabilitation of endangered wildlife.