| Project Title:
Ecology of the Striped Hyena in Suburban Landscapes: Quantifying Population Status and Threats and Strategising Conservation in the Delhi NCR |
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| Project Brief:
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, has a global population of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. Its population is in decline due to habitat loss, persecution, and prey depletion. Despite its ecological role as a scavenger, the species remains understudied, particularly in India’s semi-arid forests—its prime habitat. This project focuses on the striped hyena population in the Aravalli Hills of southern Haryana, a critical yet overlooked habitat spanning over 250 square kilometres between Delhi and Haryana. This region serves as a key wildlife corridor but faces growing threats from urban expansion, real estate development, illegal mining, and road construction. While previous camera-trap studies suggest a relatively high hyena density, systematic assessments are lacking. This project will conduct a grid-based population assessment using paired camera traps and an occupancy framework to quantify habitat use. They will also monitor breeding sites and conduct interviews with local communities in high- occupancy areas to understand human-hyena interactions and conservation challenges. The findings will provide crucial data for conservation planning and contribute to strategies aimed at ensuring the long-term survival of this elusive carnivore in the Aravalli landscape. |
Project objectives:
The project has the following objectives:
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Project Location:
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This flagship grant will primarily reach out to mid to large sized field work oriented organisations to create a two-way partnership for our common cause of conservation. This grant is directed towards the running costs of on-ground projects. The grant should enable the creation of a sustainable and replicable conservation model to address some of the key conservation issues in India.
This first of its kind initiative aims to secure and regenerate the overlooked and unaddressed habitats of the country that are in urgent need of conservation attention. These lesser-known habitats are home to an array of biodiversity, and serve as important connections between key wildlife landscapes and as havens for dispersal populations from the "celebrity" parks. Through the lesser-known habitats grant, we hope to secure and bring into the limelight these vital habitats.
In recent years, a great deal of attention has been given to the "glamour" species of the country such as tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. Unfortunately, several of our equally endangered species have not received the same level of conservation support. This unique grant aims to support conservationists working to secure a future for our lesser-known endangered species.
Across the country there are grassroots conservationists working dedicatedly, with little to no support, to protect our biodiversity. The work they do in their individual capacity has a huge positive impact on conservation in the country. This grant aims to recognize these conservation heroes and provide them a platform to expand their activities and garner further support for their work.
Successfully submitted applications and projects will be screened for eligibility, relevance of answers and authenticity of information. A team of experts, including sector specialists and external auditors, evaluate successful entries on the following parameters:
• Applicant Profile: Based on past performance and credentials, capacity to deliver, financial management, program management and other such criteria.
• Project Profile: Based on statement of need, clarity of objectives, measurability of impact, innovation, strategy and approaches, replicability, stakeholder participation, scalability and sustainability.
At the end of the First Level Screening and Shortlisting round 24 applications, 6 in each category, will move forward for Field Level Verification.
The Habitats Trust team will visit the proposed project locations to verify if details provided by the applicant are true to fact. Along with a Sub-Jury, The Habitats Trust team will shortlist twelve proposals, three in each category, move to the Jury Round. The work of all the applicants shortlisted for the Jury round will be published in The Habitats Trust Grants compendium, as a tribute to their efforts and achievements. Disseminated widely by HCL, this provides national and international visibility to the applicants.
The twelve shortlisted applicants, three in each category, will be invited to present their proposed projects in person to our Jury of eminent conservationists at the Jury Round. Recipients of The Habitats Trust Grants will be announced at a Felicitation Event the next day.