The Habitats Trust

About Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Patrol Kit Distribution
Provision of Mobility Infrastructure

The Habitats Trust Grants

“Dudhwa was classified as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1958, a National Park in 1977, and then as a Tiger Reserve in 1988. Located on the India-Nepal border at the foothills of the Himalayas, the Protected Area covers approximately 2,200 km2 with a core area of 1,100 km2. A rich biodiversity of flora and fauna exists within this range including mega-fauna such as the Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Leopard and One-Horned Rhino five species of deer, over 423 species of birds, and even endangered Gharial and River Dolphins within the Katarniaghat site.

Forest guards patrol our natural heritage all year, even through extreme weather and difficult field conditions. The Habitats Trust been involved in distributing patrol kits for the aid of forest guards in the Dudhwa landscape.”

Grants for organisations

Strategic Partnership
Grant (INR 25 lakhs)

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.

Lesser-known Habitats
Grant (INR 20 lakhs)

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.

Lesser-known Species
Grant (INR 15 lakhs)

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.

Grants for individuals:

Conservation Hero
Grant (INR 10 lakhs)

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.

Dudhwa was classified as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1958, a National Park in 1977, and then as a Tiger Reserve in 1988. Located on the India-Nepal border at the foothills of the Himalayas, the Protected area covers approximately 2,200 km ² with a core area of 1,100 km ². Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuaries, along with the forests of Shahjahanpur, North Kheri and South Kheri Forest Divisions are together classified as Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

A rich biodiversity of flora and fauna exists within this range including mega-fauna such as the Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Leopard and One-Horned Rhino (following a successful re - introduction program), five species of deer, over 423 species of birds, and even endangered Gharial and River Dolphins within the Katarniaghat site. Additionally, the reserve is connected to important wildlife parks in Nepal including Bardia, Banke and Shukhaphanta National Parks. However, due to its proximity to the border and growing tiger population, Dudhwa has become the target of poachers and illegal wildlife traders. Additionally, a large population of forest dependent communities puts great pressure on the forests.

Patrol Kit Distribution

Forest guards patrol our natural heritage all year, even through extreme weather conditions like torrential rain, harsh winters, blistering heat; they are the first line of defence in the fight to secure our wildlife and natural habitats. On 8 August 2018, The Habitats Trust distributed 1,000 monsoon patrol kits to forest guards and rangers of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Each kit comprised of life straw filtration water bottles, camouflage raincoats, sturdy gumboots and a weather proof torch, all packed together in a forest green backpack.

Provision of Mobility Infrastructure

Over the past couple of years, our on-going work in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has led to a deeper understanding of the landscape and meaningful relationships with the local forest department. The staff’s work on ground is challenging and intense, and we were hoping to provide support in the most relevant ways possible. Mobility assistance was one of those areas.

In October, 2022, The Habitats Trust fulfilled their commitment to the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve to provide support for mobility infrastructure in terms of three Tata Safari vehicles (one Tata Safari Kaziranga edition for the Field Director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, and two Tata Safari XEs). We hope that these vehicles will help the department with sound patrolling work and reach locations that need attention with ease. The vehicles, which came from dealers in Noida, UP, reached the office of the Field Director DTR in Lakhimpur on October 22, 2022, where this handover took place. - Kaushik Sarkar

Support to Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Grants for organisations

Strategic PartnershipGrant (INR 25 lakhs)

Lesser-known Habitats Grant (INR 20 lakhs)

Lesser-known Species Grant (INR 15 lakhs)