Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

WWF-India

WWF-India, formally -India, is a charitable public trust established on 27 November 1969 as the Indian affiliate of the global conservation organization , dedicated to halting the degradation of India's natural environments through science-based efforts in wildlife protection, habitat preservation, and addressing threats like and resource overuse. Initially focused on core and from its base in , WWF-India has broadened its scope over five decades to encompass , , marine ecosystems, business engagement for reduced ecological footprints, and community-driven initiatives in critical regions such as the mangroves and high-altitude wetlands. Its programs target priority species including , , and , which face and , while promoting policy interventions, fieldwork, and public campaigns to foster harmony between human development and . WWF-India's conservation model emphasizes partnerships with governments, corporations, and local stakeholders, contributing to national efforts like tiger recovery programs, though the organization has drawn criticism akin to its global counterpart for corporate alliances that some allege facilitate greenwashing and for conservation strategies accused of prioritizing protected areas over and local livelihoods in . These tensions highlight broader challenges in balancing empirical protection with causal impacts on human communities, where mainstream environmental reporting often amplifies such disputes without equivalent scrutiny of drivers or development pressures.

History

Founding and Establishment

WWF-India was established on 27 November 1969 as a charitable public trust, initially under the name World Wildlife Fund-India, to address conservation challenges in the country. This founding occurred eight years after the creation of the global World Wildlife Fund in 1961, which aimed to secure funding for protecting endangered species and habitats worldwide. As an autonomous affiliate within the international WWF network, WWF-India focused from inception on halting the degradation of India's natural environments through targeted wildlife protection and habitat preservation efforts. The establishment reflected growing recognition in of threats such as , , and unregulated development, which endangered species like tigers and . Registered under Indian trust laws, the organization began operations with a mandate to support scientific initiatives, drawing initial impetus from the WWF's model of public-private partnerships for and . Early activities emphasized raising awareness and mobilizing resources for field-based projects, marking WWF-India's role as one of the first dedicated environmental NGOs in the nation.

Key Milestones and Expansion

WWF-India commenced operations shortly after its establishment as a Charitable Public Trust on November 27, 1969, in Mumbai, initially housed in modest facilities at Hornbill House with a small cadre of full-time staff supplemented by voluntary efforts from founders and associates. The organization's early activities centered on channeling resources toward wildlife protection, laying the groundwork for targeted conservation interventions. In the and , WWF-India prioritized and , with sustained initiatives for such as tigers and , contributing to national efforts like the launch of in 1973, which aimed to safeguard populations through protected reserves. This period marked the consolidation of core expertise in species recovery and measures, amid India's burgeoning framework post-Independence. From the onward, WWF-India underwent significant programmatic expansion, diversifying beyond wildlife-centric projects to integrate for environmental awareness, of sustainable agriculture to mitigate habitat loss, addressing coastal ecosystems, corporate partnerships for responsible business practices, and citizen engagement campaigns. These developments augmented foundational programs in freshwater resources and protection with newer emphases on sustainable livelihoods and influence, enabling broader systemic interventions against , decline, and human-wildlife conflict. By the 2000s, organizational growth had positioned WWF-India as a national influencer in , with expanded field presence across critical regions and collaborations with government bodies, reflecting a shift from localized efforts to landscape-scale . The 2009 milestone of 40 years highlighted achievements in scaling operations, while the 2019 50th anniversary underscored enduring commitment to harmonizing human development with natural preservation amid escalating threats like and .

Organizational Structure

Governance and Leadership

WWF-India operates as a established on November 27, 1969, under Indian law, with vested in a Board of Trustees responsible for strategic oversight, policy formulation, and ensuring alignment with objectives. The board exercises duties typical of such trusts, including approving budgets, appointing key executives, and monitoring organizational performance, though specific bylaws detailing election or term limits are not publicly detailed on official channels. The Board of Trustees comprises seven members as of the latest available listing: Arvind Wable as President, N. Kumar as Vice President and Trustee Treasurer, and trustees Jamshyd N. Godrej, Anil Kumar V. Epur, Mridula Ramesh, and Srijoy Das, alongside Ravi Singh as an ex-officio member in his capacity as Secretary General and CEO. Trustees are drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, including industry leadership (e.g., Godrej in ) and , reflecting a blend of expertise intended to support WWF-India's operational and fundraising needs. Executive leadership is headed by Secretary General and CEO Ravi Singh, who assumed the role in 2003 and oversees program implementation, partnerships, and administrative functions across WWF-India's offices. Prior to this, Singh held banking positions, bringing financial acumen to conservation management. The structure maintains from WWF International while adhering to shared global standards on transparency and accountability.

Funding and Financial Operations

WWF-India obtains funding primarily through project grants from international partners, including the WWF network, domestic and foreign donations, and corporate contributions. Foreign funding, regulated under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), constitutes a key component, supporting initiatives via transfers from global WWF entities and other overseas donors. The organization maintains FCRA registration to receive and utilize these contributions, with dedicated financial reporting for foreign inflows. Domestic sources include individual memberships and donations, as well as corporate partnerships facilitated through CSR commitments, where minimum contributions start at INR 500,000 for project-specific support. Annual reports categorize income into project grants, donations, and other receipts, with expenditures directed toward program implementation, administration, and . For the ending March 2023, FCRA-compliant income and expenditure accounts detail allocations, emphasizing project-related outlays. Financial operations involve rigorous auditing and public disclosure, including balance sheets, quarterly utilization reports, and FCRA-specific statements submitted to authorities. These ensure with regulatory caps on administrative expenses (limited to 20% of foreign funds under amended FCRA rules) and of funds to outcomes. WWF-India publishes these documents on its , providing extracts from audited financials for . No grants are prominently featured in reported sources, underscoring reliance on private and international .

Core Programs

Wildlife and Habitat Conservation

WWF-India's wildlife conservation efforts emphasize a landscape-scale approach to protect priority species and their habitats, initiated for tigers in the 1970s and expanded across critical regions by 2000, with diversification into additional species like the , , and by 2005. This strategy integrates fieldwork, community engagement, and policy advocacy to address threats such as , , and human-wildlife conflict, targeting landscapes including the Terai Arc, North Bank, Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong, and Western Ghats-Nilgiris. Key initiatives focus on flagship species: the Tiger Conservation Programme supports population monitoring and conflict management, including collaring two tigers in the Terai landscape and contributing to the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation across 19 sites in six landscapes; efforts in reserves like Pilibhit and Sathyamangalam have contributed to doubling tiger numbers since 2010, earning TX2 Awards. For Asian elephants and one-horned rhinos, programs secure populations in the North Bank and Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscapes through habitat connectivity and anti-depredation measures, such as solar fences and community squads to mitigate conflicts. Additional species efforts include assessing snow leopards via 233 camera traps in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim as part of the National Snow Leopard Population Assessment, and engaging 210 Dolphin Mitras to monitor Gangetic river dolphins over 225 kilometers of the Upper Ganga. Habitat protection complements work by restoring and safeguarding ecosystems: in 2021-22, WWF-India restored 350 hectares of wetlands in , rejuvenated the Noyyal and Basins in the , and enhanced mangrove resilience in the . Broader efforts secure over 1,200 square kilometers through community-conserved areas and promote raptor-safe habitats by training 280 citizen birders for monitoring, alongside vulture nest surveillance at five sites in central and . support includes training 106 sniffer dogs to detect illegal trade and enforce laws. The Catalyst Programme further aids organizations in and preservation.

Education and Sustainable Development

WWF-India's environmental education programs emphasize education for (ESD), aiming to integrate awareness, skill-building, and behavioral change to foster sustainable lifestyles among students, teachers, and communities. These initiatives, operational since , target children and as primary agents of change, operating across 16 states in through five core programs that promote knowledge of environmental challenges, , and action-oriented practices aligned with ESD principles. The flagship Ek Prithvi program, launched as part of WWF-India's efforts to build conservation leadership, equips government school students with knowledge, skills, and nature connections to drive sustainable actions. Implemented in states including (as the eighth state by 2023), it focuses on empowering youth to lead environmental initiatives, with corporate support from partners like FAB India since 2018. The program has engaged thousands of students through activities like model school inaugurations and events fostering exposure. Complementing this, the One Earth One Home initiative, a digital movement launched on September 10, 2020, encourages students to adopt pro-conservation habits at home, such as waste separation and , extending impact to families and communities across 16 states and union territories over a 10-week period. Upon conclusion, it reported enhanced sustainable practices among participants, building resilience through household-level changes. WWF-India's ESD efforts, pursued since 2010, include developing curricula, handbooks, and teacher training to embed sustainability into formal education, such as the Whole School Approach and methodologies for future-oriented learning. Digital platforms like One Planet Academy provide curriculum-aligned resources, while global challenges like Wild Wisdom, started in 2008, have reached over 700,000 students worldwide, including Indian participants, to promote ESD through quizzes and activities. In sustainable development beyond schools, WWF-India's programs link to practical outcomes, such as the initiative, which addresses —where agriculture consumes 80% of India's —by training farmers in , , , and on regenerative practices, better production, and biodiversity-friendly methods. These efforts engage communities for market linkages and reduced environmental footprints, with impacts including adoption of sustainable land and water management to counter depletion. Recent partnerships, like the collaboration with the Indian Principals' Network, aim to scale ESD through school leadership networks for nationwide agendas.

Policy Advocacy Initiatives

WWF-India pursues policy advocacy through sustained , including events, landmark publications, media strategies, and alliances to embed conservation priorities into national frameworks, particularly in areas such as climate adaptation in regions like the and Ganga Basin, , spatial and , and mitigating infrastructure impacts on . The organization provides technical expertise to influence policies balancing ecological security with , projecting challenges like India's urban population reaching 600 million by 2030, and collaborates with government bodies, forest departments, and local leaders to foster broad support for protection. On the international front, WWF-India contributes inputs to the WWF network advocating for equitable global climate policies and transitions from a perspective, while domestically it hosts workshops and webinars on issues like rooftop markets and climate-proofing smart cities, such as the June 29, 2016, workshop with the (SECI) and the December 21, 2020, webinar with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). In sector-specific efforts, it engages ministries and policymakers via the India Green Steel Coalition, launched in 2024 with the (CII) representing about 70% of 's crude capacity, to promote incentives for low-emission technologies, carbon pricing to mitigate investment risks, and green procurement mandates aiming for a 30% reduction in steel sector carbon intensity by 2030 relative to 2023 levels. Recent alliances underscore targeted advocacy, including the August 8, 2025, partnership with Solidaridad Network Asia to advance regenerative cotton farming and sustainable production through policy frameworks enhancing traceability, fair pricing for smallholders, and climate-aligned market systems via pilot projects and collaborations. Complementary initiatives involve campaigns that support regulatory actions, such as air efforts aligning with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to raise awareness of risks and sustainable practices. WWF-India also produces resources like the Policy Brief Series to inform decision-making on conservation economics.

Achievements and Impacts

Documented Successes

WWF-India's involvement in has contributed to restoration and population recovery efforts, including translocations that increased tiger occupancy from less than 20% to higher levels in the western part of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, as evidenced by photographic surveys. In the transboundary Terai Arc Landscape, where WWF-India collaborates with partners, tiger populations have grown to over 880 individuals, nearly doubling through measures, management, and corridor protection since the early . A key achievement in reptile conservation was the 2010 reintroduction of 63 captive-bred gharials into the , part of WWF-India's rehabilitation initiative aimed at bolstering the species' wild population amid ongoing threats like habitat loss and incidental mortality. This effort built on prior releases and monitoring protocols to enhance breeding success in protected riverine habitats. In raptor conservation, WWF-India supported adaptations to linear infrastructure in , creating safe perches that reduced risks and facilitated nesting, contributing to localized recovery of species like the Egyptian vulture in monitored areas. These interventions demonstrate targeted, site-specific successes in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts while preserving avian populations.

Quantitative Assessments and Evaluations

India's tiger population, a key focus of WWF-India's conservation efforts, increased from 1,411 individuals in 2006 to 3,167 in 2022, according to national censuses conducted under the (NTCA). WWF-India supported this growth through technical assistance in monitoring, patrols, and corridor management across six priority landscapes encompassing 20 protected areas and forest divisions. Specific recoveries were noted in sites like () and Achanakmar (), where WWF-India facilitated evidence-based interventions including prey base enhancement and conflict mitigation. Community-based metrics include the deployment of the Bagh Mitra mobile application, which engaged 300 volunteers around Dudhwa and tiger reserves for real-time tracking and human-tiger reporting, contributing to reduced incidents in those areas. Broader program evaluations, such as India's Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) for tiger reserves, reported average scores of approximately 85% in the 2022 , reflecting strengthened measures where WWF-India provided capacity-building support, though direct causal attribution to the organization remains challenging amid multi-stakeholder national efforts. Independent quantitative evaluations of WWF-India's overall impact are limited, with most data self-reported in annual summaries rather than third-party audited outcomes. Globally, 's 2021-2024 evaluation indicated 93% target achievement in conservation commitments, including integration, but India-specific breakdowns were not isolated. Tools like the Effectiveness Tracking Tool () have been applied to assess performance in Indian contexts supported by WWF, yielding scores typically ranging from 60-80% in baseline surveys, with improvements post-intervention; however, aggregate results for WWF-India projects lack comprehensive public aggregation.

Criticisms and Controversies

Program Effectiveness and Failures

WWF-India's initiatives, particularly in tiger habitats, have coincided with national population recoveries, such as the count rising from 1,411 in 2006 to 3,167 in 2022, supported by efforts in patrols and habitat restoration within reserves. However, independent assessments attribute primary success to government-led interventions under , launched in 1973, with WWF's role largely supplementary through funding and technical aid rather than transformative. Critics contend that WWF-India's financial contributions, embedded within India's overall $2.1 billion investment since 1973 (averaging $82,640 per tiger annually), yield diminishing marginal returns due to overlapping efforts and insufficient differentiation from state programs. Ecodevelopment projects, intended to mitigate human-wildlife conflict by providing alternative livelihoods to communities near reserves like Ranthambore, have demonstrated limited long-term efficacy. Evaluations of WWF-India's Ranthambore Ecodevelopment Project reveal persistent forest dependency and inadequate reduction in illegal resource extraction, with benefits often short-lived due to poor and monitoring gaps. Broader challenges include ineffective prevention of , as linear projects—such as highways and railways—continue to encroach on corridors despite WWF-India's , contributing to an estimated 384,000 hectares of tiger habitat loss between 2001 and 2020. Ex-post evaluations of WWF-India's initiatives highlight systemic failures in impact measurement, including flawed program design, inconsistent , and reluctance to document non-sustained outcomes, which obscure true effectiveness. For instance, while short-term metrics like patrol coverage show progress, long-term resilience remains unproven, with ongoing threats like human- conflicts resulting in over 200 human deaths and 100 tiger losses annually in recent years. These shortcomings stem from overemphasis on species-specific targets at the expense of holistic landscape management, leading to critiques that WWF-India's model prioritizes quantifiable "wins" over adaptive, evidence-based strategies.

Community and Human Rights Issues

WWF-India's conservation efforts, particularly in tiger reserves, have drawn criticism for exacerbating conflicts with indigenous and local communities through support for protected area expansions that result in displacements. Advocacy organizations, including , have accused WWF-India of endorsing a "fortress conservation" model that prioritizes wildlife exclusion zones, leading to the eviction of tribal groups from ancestral lands to facilitate tourism and habitat restoration. In India's initiative, which WWF-India has actively supported since its inception in 1973, an estimated 600,000 tribal people have been displaced from protected areas nationwide, with critics attributing part of this to conservation policies that undermine community land rights under the Forest Rights Act of 2006. Specific incidents highlight these tensions. In December 2014, Survival International alerted WWF-India to evictions in the Panna Tiger Reserve, where communities faced fragmentation despite partial compensation, arguing that such actions violated indigenous rights and ignored sustainable coexistence models. Similarly, in April 2016, over 200 Gond tribals in Umaravan village, Panna district, were forcibly removed for reserve expansion; indigenous rights groups like the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact urged WWF-India to oppose these evictions, citing inadequate consultation and livelihood losses. In the Kanha Tiger Reserve, illegal evictions of forest-dwelling communities occurred as recently as 2015, with reports of demolitions and restricted access, actions Survival International linked to WWF-influenced conservation paradigms that favor tiger populations over human habitation. These cases reflect broader patterns where conservation enforcement by government rangers, sometimes in partnership with WWF projects, has involved reported harassment, beatings, and denial of traditional resource use, though WWF maintains it opposes forced relocations. An independent panel review commissioned by WWF in 2019, published in November 2020, examined allegations of abuses by rangers in among other regions and found no direct by WWF staff, but criticized the organization's inconsistent implementation of social policies and inadequate grievance mechanisms for affected communities. Critics, including , contend the review understates WWF's indirect role in enabling abuses through funding and advocacy for exclusionary models, failing to ensure free, prior, and informed consent as per international standards. Despite WWF-India's adoption of the review's recommendations—such as enhanced due diligence and community partnerships—ongoing protests by groups in reserves like Nagarhole in 2024 underscore persistent grievances over evictions prioritizing recovery, which reached over 3,000 individuals by 2022. These issues highlight a causal tension between stringent habitat protection and community rights, where empirical data on population growth contrasts with documented socioeconomic harms to locals, including and cultural erosion.

Corporate Partnerships and Ethical Concerns

WWF-India forges corporate partnerships primarily through companies' (CSR) initiatives under India's Companies Act of 2013, directing funds toward conservation projects such as wildlife protection, renewable energy adoption, and habitat restoration. These collaborations often involve customized support, including co-branded communication campaigns via WWF-India's platforms, newsletters, and , with minimum contributions starting at INR 5 lakhs for targeted project funding. In 2019–2020, WWF-India documented 18 partnerships exceeding €25,000 annually, alongside 17 smaller engagements, yielding funds for initiatives like tiger conservation in the with Discovery Communications India (€100,000–250,000 range) and solar electrification in remote islands via IndusInd Bank (similar range). Additional partners included the Bestseller for marine debris reduction in (€25,000–100,000), reflecting a focus on measurable outcomes in hotspots. More recent examples encompass a 2023 alliance with Philanthropies India to enhance forest fire management using technology in key landscapes. Ethical concerns surrounding these partnerships echo broader critiques of WWF's global model, where alliances with corporations are accused of prioritizing funding over rigorous scrutiny of partners' environmental impacts, potentially enabling greenwashing—corporate image enhancement without proportional reforms. Critics, including internal whistleblowers in the "Pandaleaks" revelations, argue that WWF's ties to industries linked to and undermine independence, as partnerships may soften advocacy against polluting entities. In an Indian context, WWF's assistance to in assessing water usage—amid protests over the company's depletion of in regions like Plachimada, —has fueled skepticism about whether such engagements genuinely advance sustainability or merely legitimize extractive practices. WWF-India maintains and in partner selection, emphasizing alignment with ethical standards, yet lacks public of full partner audits, leaving room for questions on conflict mitigation in CSR-driven funding. No India-specific scandals directly implicating corporate partners in WWF-India's operations have been documented, but the structure's reliance on corporate —constituting a notable —raises ongoing debates about mission dilution in favor of financial viability.

Recent Developments

Post-2020 Reforms and Responses

In November 2020, WWF released the Independent Panel Review report "Embedding in Conservation," which examined allegations of human rights abuses by government rangers in WWF-partnered protected areas, including sites in such as tiger reserves. The 160-page report, commissioned in 2019, issued over 170 recommendations for organizational reforms, emphasizing enhanced , , grievance mechanisms, and safeguards against abuses during enforcement. It concluded that WWF bore no direct responsibility for the alleged violations but identified shortcomings in , , and proactive government engagement. WWF's management response accepted all recommendations, pledging a three-year implementation plan with annual progress reports and an independent evaluation after three years. WWF-India integrated these global reforms into its operations, focusing on embedding principles in project design and execution. From 2020 to 2022, the organization conducted regional workshops to incorporate training modules for staff and partners, particularly in landscapes involving collaboration. mechanisms were piloted and expanded beyond initial sites, enabling community feedback on potential abuses. By 2023, WWF-India reported progress in training programs across Indian landscapes, partnering with local stakeholders to formalize protocols in activities. These efforts addressed prior criticisms of inadequate oversight in areas like evictions and violence, though independent verification of full efficacy remains limited. As of June 2025, WWF's international leadership reported 98% implementation of the panel's recommendations network-wide, including mandatory training for enforcement-involved projects and strengthened ethical guidelines for partnerships. For WWF-India, this translated to updated safeguards prohibiting arming of rangers and requiring explicit impact assessments before project approvals. Year-three updates highlighted ongoing challenges in securing government cooperation for reforms but noted increased community voice in program planning. Critics, including reports from outlets like , have questioned the pace and depth of changes, citing persistent allegations in Indian contexts, yet WWF maintains these measures have reduced risks through formalized accountability.

Current Projects and Ongoing Challenges

WWF-India's current projects emphasize habitat restoration, species protection, and community engagement, with a focus on like tigers and elephants alongside ecosystem-specific initiatives. The organization supports through habitat connectivity efforts, including translocations to reserves such as Rajaji Tiger Reserve, where five tigers were relocated since 2021 to bolster populations in under-occupied areas. measures include training 14 sniffer dogs and 28 handlers in as of August 2025, alongside workshops with forest officials in September 2025 to enhance against crime. For elephants, WWF-India protects corridors like the Kallar corridor in and the Shivalik Elephant Reserve in to mitigate fragmentation. Mangrove and wetland restoration form another pillar, with the Magical Mangroves 2024-25 program promoting awareness and protection across mangrove forests through volunteer-driven activities. In , Phase 5 of this initiative, partnered with Ltd., targets ecosystem safeguarding via community involvement. The Catalyst Programme funds community-led efforts, such as the 2024-25 sustainable management of Kedarnath's alpine to preserve high-altitude meadows. Infrastructure mitigation is addressed via the ALIGN project, collaborating with the Centre for Large Landscape to reduce linear development impacts on wildlife corridors across . Youth and education initiatives include the program, shortlisting 25 youth-led environmental projects for mentorship and implementation under WWF-India guidance. The Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2025 engages students in biodiversity quizzes and activities to foster awareness. surveys continue, with recent 2025 documentation of ’s cat in at elevations above 4,200 meters, highlighting underexplored high-altitude species. Ongoing challenges for WWF-India include persistent human-wildlife conflicts, exacerbated by encroachment and linear like roads fragmenting corridors for and . In wetlands such as Bharatpur, , invasive weeds, and inadequate support hinder , with people-park tensions arising from resource competition. High-altitude wetlands in states like face degradation from climate variability and limited state-level enforcement, prompting WWF-India's targeted interventions in select sites. Illegal remains acute, as evidenced by 2025 efforts against exotic reptile trafficking, amid broader pressures from and loss in tiger landscapes. Climate-induced threats, including rising ocean temperatures affecting coastal ecosystems like the , necessitate but strain resources and community buy-in. These issues underscore the need for sustained advocacy and cross-sector partnerships to counter anthropogenic drivers of decline.

References

  1. [1]
    History - WWF India
    World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF India) was founded with the express objective of ensuring the conservation of the country's wildlife and natural ...
  2. [2]
    About us - WWF India
    WWF India is a science-based organization which addresses issues such as the conservation of species and its habitats, climate change, water and environmental ...Internship · Our Mission · Board of Trustees · History
  3. [3]
    https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/
  4. [4]
    Priority species - WWF India
    India's wildlife, including charismatic species such as the tiger, elephant, rhino and their habitats face the constant threat of degradation and fragmentation.
  5. [5]
    WWF India - The World Economic Forum
    Founded in 1961, it has a constant record of conservation achievements, operates in approximately 120 countries, and is supported by more than 6 million people ...
  6. [6]
    WWF International accused of 'selling its soul' to corporations
    Oct 4, 2014 · WWF International, the world's largest conservation group, has been accused of "selling its soul" by forging alliances with powerful businesses ...
  7. [7]
    Why the WWF's 'Fortress Conservation' model is ethically wrong
    Jul 17, 2019 · In India, it is accused of many serious rights violations, including the destruction of the environment and local agriculture by privatising ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  8. [8]
    WWF vows to 'do more' after human rights abuse reports - BBC
    Nov 25, 2020 · The conservation charity is accused of working with guards who allegedly tortured and killed people.
  9. [9]
    WWF's History - World Wildlife Fund
    WWF was established in 1961 by a group of passionate and committed individuals who sought to secure the funding necessary to protect places and species.
  10. [10]
    [PDF] WWF INDIA - Panda.org
    Jul 28, 2021 · WWF India was established in 1969 to help conserve the country's wildlife and natural habitats. Set up as a Public Charitable Trust on 27 ...
  11. [11]
    [PDF] INDIA - International Institute for Environment and Development
    The World Wide Fund for Nature India (WWF-India), formerly known as the. World Wildlife Fund - India, was established in 1969 as a Charitable Trust under the ...<|separator|>
  12. [12]
    [PDF] Forty years oF wwF-india - Panda.org
    WWF-india completed 40 years on 26th november 2009 in its service to the nation for the conservation of india's natural heritage and ecology. the organisation's ...<|separator|>
  13. [13]
    [PDF] WWF India
    Nov 25, 2016 · WWF-India's growth and shares in its success in becoming a strong and influential player in the conservation space at a national level ...
  14. [14]
    Board of Trustees | WWF India
    Mr. Arvind Wable, President, WWF-India, Mr. N. Kumar, Vice President & Trustee Treasurer, WWF-India, Mr. Jamshyd N. Godrej, Trustee, WWF-India.Missing: first establishment
  15. [15]
    Mr Ravi Singh - S-ILF
    Since 2003, Mr Singh is with WWF India. He is the organisation's current Secretary General & CEO. Prior to this appointment, he was the General Manager and ...
  16. [16]
    [PDF] WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE - INDIA - FCRA No. - Panda.org
    Mar 31, 2023 · Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended on 31 March 2023. For the Year ending. 31 March 2023. (Rs.) For the Year ending. 31 March 2022.
  17. [17]
    Financial Reports | WWF India
    Download quarterly reports for previous years. ZIP 723 KB Annual Reports Annual Report 2022-24 PDF 108.61 MB Annual Report 2021-22 PDF 11.30 MBMissing: governance leadership
  18. [18]
    Corporate Partnerships - WWF India
    The minimum contribution required from a corporate partner is INR 5 Lacs. WWF-India provides a consolidated report for these projects, in accordance with the ...
  19. [19]
    [PDF] annual report - 2021-22 - Panda.org
    Apr 17, 2023 · WWF-India has initiated a multi-stakeholder programme to demonstrate how Nature-based solutions can help build climate-resilient urban- scapes ...
  20. [20]
    TX2 AWARDS: HOW THIS RESERVE IN INDIA MORE THAN ...
    Pilibhit Tiger Reserve has won the inaugural TX2 Award, presented by CA|TS, Global Tiger Forum, IUCN, UNDP, The Lion's Share and WWF, for its remarkable ...
  21. [21]
    Sites in India and Nepal awarded for doubling tiger populations
    Jan 25, 2022 · 25th Jan 2022 - India's Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) has been awarded the prestigious TX2 Awards after its tiger number doubled since 2010 ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  22. [22]
    Treading the path to peace - WWF India
    Apart from the Anti Depredation Squad, WWF-India has also helped the communities to install solar fences as an alternative to electric fences. Maintained by the ...<|separator|>
  23. [23]
    CULTURES OF CONSERVATION - WWF India
    Along with building these relevant livelihood opportunities, the most significant achievement of the CCA system has been the securing of more than 1200 square ...Missing: key | Show results with:key
  24. [24]
    india needs nature warriors - Support WWF-India
    In a remarkable achievement, WWF-India's wildlife sniffer dogs have hit a century with 106 dogs trained so far to protect our wildlife. These dogs have helped ...
  25. [25]
    Conservation Catalyst Programme | WWF India
    WWF-India's flagship Conservation Catalyst Programme (CCP) supports grassroot conservationists and organisations to conserve wildlife and habitat.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  26. [26]
    Environmental Education | WWF India
    An empowering action model to create awareness, build skills, encourage sustainable lifestyle and promote conservation action in government schools. EXPLORE ...Missing: website | Show results with:website
  27. [27]
    [PDF] EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
    WWF has been working towards ensuring that ESD becomes the core of the Indian education system since 2010. Our approach is to embed knowledge about ESD into ...
  28. [28]
    Ek Prithvi – Conservation Leadership through Education | WWF-India
    Apr 2, 2022 · The Ek Prithvi Programme inspires Conservation Leadership by providing students with the required Skills, Knowledge, and connection with nature.
  29. [29]
    WWF-India Assam Inaugurates Ek Prithvi Model School Activity ...
    Mar 4, 2023 · The Ek Prithvi programme aims to build a resilient and positive environment for children and young people by connecting them to nature, ...
  30. [30]
    [PDF] WWF India – Corporate Partnerships Report - Panda.org
    Jul 25, 2021 · Corbett Landscape to create income generation opportunities for ... © WWF India. Page 24. WWF India – Corporate Partnerships Report – 2020.
  31. [31]
    'Ek Prithvi' - Empowering Sustainability at Govt. High School ...
    Nov 26, 2024 · The event was an excellent platform for students to expand their knowledge of wildlife conservation and providing exposure to an international ...
  32. [32]
    One Earth One Home - WWF India
    ONE EARTH ONE HOME IS AN EMPOWERING MODEL WHERE STUDENTS WILL STEER A CHANGE IN THEIR HOMES TO ADOPT PRO-ENVIRONMENT ATTITUDES AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. The ...Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
  33. [33]
    WWF India's One Earth One Home programme concludes in 16 ...
    WWF India launched the OEOH movement on September 10, 2020 to inspire children to adopt pro-conservation attitudes and sustainable household practices towards a ...
  34. [34]
    State Government Departments of 11 States and one UT join WWF ...
    Sep 24, 2020 · 'One Earth One Home' movement will not just inspire children but their families and immediate communities towards environment and will enlighten ...
  35. [35]
    WWF India's "One Earth One Home" programme concludes
    WWF India launched the One Earth One Home movement on 10 September 2020 to inspire children to adopt pro-conservation attitudes and sustainable household ...
  36. [36]
    [PDF] Whole School Approach Manual - WWF India
    To help teachers understand what ESD is and how to impart it, WWF developed a handbook titled. Methodologies for the future: A guide to develop education for ...
  37. [37]
    Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2025 - One Planet Academy
    The Wild Wisdom Global Challenge (WWGC) by WWF-India is designed to kindle curiosity and awareness in students - through intriguing questions, immersive ...<|separator|>
  38. [38]
    Sustainable Agriculture - WWF India
    The Sustainable Agriculture Programme aims to address the issue of water scarcity and dwindling groundwater reserves. It involves working with and engaging ...
  39. [39]
    WWF-India and Indian Principals' Network(IPN) Foundation to Foster ...
    Sep 18, 2024 · In 2024, WWF-India's Educators' Conclave will be hosted in collaboration with IPN to develop actionable agendas for integrating environmental ...
  40. [40]
    Policy and Research - WWF India
    WWF-India is working towards developing and implementing strategies to increase policy influence through events, landmark publications, strong media strategies.
  41. [41]
    Conservation interventions - WWF India
    Policy and advocacy. We work towards promoting broad-based support for conservation by involving the Forest Department, local political leaders and communities.
  42. [42]
    Network & Stakeholder Engagement | WWF India
    Network Engagement and Policy Advocacy​​ WWF-India provides inputs to the WWF International network on issues that promote a fair and equitable global climate ...
  43. [43]
    UNLOCKING GREEN STEEL DEMAND - WWF India
    - Policy advocacy: Actively engage with ministries and policymakers to shape incentives, carbon pricing mechanisms and green procurement frameworks that can ...<|separator|>
  44. [44]
    WWF-India and Solidaridad Asia Forge Strategic Alliance to Drive ...
    Aug 8, 2025 · The joint effort aims to advocate for traceability, fair pricing, smallholder inclusion, and climate-aligned market systems. As part of this ...
  45. [45]
    WWF-India EIACP Clean Air Campaign Reaches ... - The Policy Edge
    Sep 13, 2025 · This initiative strengthens public awareness as a core pillar of air quality management, complements regulatory action by CAQM, and demonstrates ...
  46. [46]
    restoring the roar | WWF India
    Before the translocations, tigers occupied less than 20% of the habitat in the western part of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, with photographic evidence establishing ...
  47. [47]
    [PDF] TERAI ARC LANDSCAPE - World Wildlife Fund
    Today, the transboundary Terai Arc Landscape boasts over 880 tigers; with both Nepal and India having close to doubled their tiger numbers, a testament to the ...<|separator|>
  48. [48]
    Gharial Rehabiltation Initiative sucessfully reintroduces sixty three ...
    Mar 19, 2010 · WWF-India's work on conserving the highly endangered Gharial continued successfully with the reintroduction of 63 more Gharials in the River ...Missing: documented | Show results with:documented
  49. [49]
    SAFE PERCHES - WWF India
    A success story from Uttarakhand shows the way to adapt linear infrastructure for raptor conservation. © Sunny Joshi/WWF-India. 1. Authors: Rinkita Gurav ...Missing: documented | Show results with:documented
  50. [50]
    [PDF] India Tiger Estimation (2022) - National Tiger Conservation Authority
    This resulted in an increase in the tiger population from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2018. The past four cycles of tiger monitoring in India have resulted in ...
  51. [51]
    India's Wild Tiger Numbers Rise - World Wildlife Fund
    Apr 10, 2023 · WWF celebrates India's 2022 tiger survey results showing 3167 wild tigers, a major milestone for global conservation and the Tx2 goal.Missing: evidence | Show results with:evidence
  52. [52]
    STRIPING A BALANCE - WWF India
    Mar 1, 2025 · Tigers Alive Initiative's Annual Report highlights steady progress in tiger conservation. The year 2024 brought good news about tigers ...Missing: documented | Show results with:documented
  53. [53]
    [PDF] Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves in India
    Under India's Project Tiger, Management Effectiveness. Assessment (MEE) of Tiger Reserves (TRs) was conducted in five repeat cycles after every four years ...
  54. [54]
    [PDF] Independent Evaluation of WWF Action Plan (2021-2024) - Panda.org
    Here, 3 key achievements underscore WWF's inclusivity efforts, namely the appointment of: (i) Dr Bulan as a new International Board trustee, a crucial step ...
  55. [55]
    [PDF] A guide to using the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT)
    METT is a tool for gathering information on whether protected areas are managed effectively, allowing for improvements and comparison between sites.
  56. [56]
    Evaluating the Financial Effectiveness of Funded Projects on Tiger ...
    Jul 20, 2023 · India has invested more than $2.1 billion in Bengal tiger conservation, averaging an annual expenditure of $82,640 per tiger. This investment ...Introduction · Tiger Population Trend And... · History Of Tiger...<|control11|><|separator|>
  57. [57]
    Ranthambhor Revisited. An evaluation of WWF India's Ranthambhor ...
    Because of poor value and time management, currently the construction business is facing huge cost problem. It's known fact that a number of infrastructure ...Missing: criticisms | Show results with:criticisms
  58. [58]
    WWF-India Report Reveals Promising Signs of Tiger Recovery in ...
    In a significant boost to tiger conservation efforts, WWF-India has released a new report “Recovering Stripes – A Population Status of Tigers and Their Prey in ...
  59. [59]
    What makes it Difficult to Evaluate Projects Ex-post - Valuing Voices
    Nov 20, 2020 · WWF Case 1:​​ The first WWF case examined the importance of evaluating both Sustained and Emerging Impacts (those expected or those that emerged ...
  60. [60]
    Human-wildlife conflict one of the greatest threats to ... - WWF India
    Jul 8, 2021 · Conflict between people and animals, from China's famed wandering elephants raiding farms for food and water to wolves preying on cattle in Idaho, USA, is one ...Missing: controversies criticism
  61. [61]
    Failure in conservation projects: Everyone experiences it, few record it
    Oct 17, 2019 · Analysis of failures of conservation projects are rarely published, a new study has found. Researchers who reviewed the available scientific ...
  62. [62]
    Wildlife Conservation Efforts Are Violating Tribal Peoples' Rights
    The WWF-inspired tiger reserves in India are increasingly used to expel tribes from their forests so they can be opened up to tourism.
  63. [63]
    When WWF's conservation looks like colonialism, it's time for a new ...
    Mar 17, 2019 · Fortress Conservation justifies brutal evictions of tribal people on the basis that any kind of human presence is a threat to the environment, ...
  64. [64]
    Conservation Policy and Indigenous Peoples | Cultural Survival
    May 7, 2010 · One estimate suggests that as many as 600,000 tribal people have been displaced by protected areas in India alone (PRIA 1993). The statistics ...
  65. [65]
    The tribes paying the brutal price of conservation - The Guardian
    Aug 28, 2016 · Most of the world's 6,000 national parks and 100,000 protected places have been created by the removal of tribal peoples. Hundreds more parks ...<|separator|>
  66. [66]
    [PDF] Shri Ravi Singh WWF-India 172 B, Lodhi Estate New Delhi-110003 ...
    Dec 17, 2014 · Although they have received some monetary compensation, the impact of these evictions has been the fragmentation of these communities because.
  67. [67]
    India: Urgent attention of WWF called on forced evictions of ...
    Apr 4, 2016 · More than 200 Gond tribals in Umaravan village of Panna district are being forced out of their homes and lands, where they have long survived by living off ...Missing: displacement | Show results with:displacement
  68. [68]
    Tribespeople illegally evicted from 'Jungle Book' tiger reserve
    Jan 14, 2015 · Tribal people have been forcibly and illegally evicted from India's Kanha Tiger Reserve – home of Kipling's The Jungle Book – in the name of tiger conservation.
  69. [69]
    Local communities feared repression from WWF, investigation finds
    Mar 14, 2019 · “Indigenous peoples and local communities bordering protected areas are victims of human rights abuses and violations by eco-guards,” the report ...Missing: issues | Show results with:issues
  70. [70]
    Report clears WWF of complicity in violent abuses by conservation ...
    Nov 25, 2020 · The report criticised the organisation's inconsistent approach to human rights issues. “The panel found that WWF's implementation of its social ...
  71. [71]
    Embedding human rights in conservation | WWF - Panda.org
    Discover the findings of the Independent Panel, responding to reports of human rights abuses in C. Africa, India, & Nepal, and the actions WWF are taking.Missing: issues | Show results with:issues
  72. [72]
    Greenpeace statement on WWF independent review of human rights ...
    Nov 30, 2020 · The Independent Panel report makes it clear that “WWF has not fulfilled its human rights commitments.” WWF needs to fully own their responsibility for abuses.
  73. [73]
    WWF distances itself from rights abuses at U.S. congressional hearing
    Nov 2, 2021 · WWF has come under fire at a US congressional hearing over its funding of rangers who allegedly carried out rights abuses against Indigenous peoples and local ...
  74. [74]
    India's Indigenous peoples rise up against evictions from tiger ...
    Sep 20, 2024 · Adivasis facing eviction from Nagarhole Tiger Reserve protest at the park's entrance. Adivasi (Indigenous) people have organized mass protests ...
  75. [75]
    India's Indigenous people demand land rights after being displaced ...
    Apr 9, 2023 · India's Project Tiger conservation model centred on creating reserves undisturbed by people; Indigenous groups say this model displaced numerous ...
  76. [76]
    Associate with us | WWF India
    Corporates can partner with WWF-India to support a specific WWF-India conservation programme in the areas we work in. Under the recent Companies Act's (2013) ...
  77. [77]
    Companies and Critics Try Collaboration - The New York Times
    May 17, 2006 · The World Wildlife Fund has been helping the Coca-Cola Company, which has been criticized for its water-use practices in India, analyze the ...<|separator|>
  78. [78]
    WWF at risk? WWF accused of being used for greenwashing - PEFC
    WWF is accused of greenwashing by allying with businesses that destroy nature, receiving millions from corporations, and creating "conservation refugees" and ...<|separator|>
  79. [79]
    WWF embraces Independent Review's recommendations
    Nov 24, 2020 · A report from an Independent Panel it commissioned last year to review WWF's role in relation to reported human rights abuses by some government rangers.Missing: evaluations | Show results with:evaluations
  80. [80]
    [PDF] EMBEDDING HUMAN RIGHTS IN NATURE CONSERVATION
    In. 2022, WWF partnered in human rights training across landscapes in Central Africa,. Nepal and India. In some instances, these trainings have been formally ...
  81. [81]
    [PDF] EMBEDDING HUMAN RIGHTS IN NATURE CONSERVATION
    WWF-India is committed to embedding human rights in its work. While the grievance redressal efforts of the last three years focused on one landscape, it has ...
  82. [82]
    Year 2 Implementation Update | WWF - Panda.org
    In 2020, we published the findings of the Independent Panel Review that we commissioned to evaluate our response to allegations of human rights abuses ...
  83. [83]
    WWF's top leader acknowledges reforms in wake of abuse allegations
    Jun 27, 2025 · Between 2019 and 2020, WWF faced scathing scrutiny after investigations from BuzzFeed revealed disturbing accounts of violence by park rangers ...Missing: failures | Show results with:failures
  84. [84]
    Year 3 Implementation Update | WWF - Panda.org
    The Independent Panel published recommendations regarding country-level programmes – concluding that we must do more to ensure community voices are heard and ...<|separator|>
  85. [85]
    How wild tigers are reclaiming areas of their historic range
    Jul 28, 2025 · Since 2021, a total of five tigers has been successfully translocated from a nearby tiger reserve to the west of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The ...
  86. [86]
    https://www.wwfindia.org/?27902/adding-teeth-to-wildlife-law-enforcement
  87. [87]
    WWF-India's interventions
    - Protecting elephant corridors and elephant reserves: Whether it is the Kallar corridor in Tamil Nadu or Shivalik Elephant Reserve in Uttarakhand, WWF-India ...
  88. [88]
    Magical Mangroves 2024-25 - People for Planet - WWF India
    An awareness and engagement programme to understand, save and protect mangrove ecosystems across mangrove forests in India.
  89. [89]
    Magical Mangroves Kerala - Join the Movement 2024-25
    WWF-India along with Godrej & Boyce Ltd. is looking for passionate volunteers to join the Magical Mangrove Movement – Phase 5 for the protection and ...
  90. [90]
    Asia's Linear Infrastructure Safeguarding Nature - WWF India
    This is a six-part series of the collaboration between WWF-India and Global Tiger Forum - India which explores initiatives to protect nature while developing ...<|separator|>
  91. [91]
    ECHO - Building Environment Conservation Heroes
    WWF-India will shortlist 25 submitted projects, where selected youth will receive mentorship and training trainilot test their ideas under WWF-India's guidance.
  92. [92]
    https://www.wwfindia.org/?27922/first-photographic-record-of-pallass-cat
  93. [93]
    Secure Connected Habitat
    WWF India has expanded conservation efforts into new areas that hold immense potential for tiger population recovery including Karbi Anglong in Brahmaputra ...
  94. [94]
    Conservation Challenges - WWF India
    Conservation challenges include water issues, invasive weeds, people-park conflict, and inadequate state support and policy, especially regarding water supply.
  95. [95]
    Conservation Challenges - WWF India
    WWF-India has honed down on select wetland sites in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, for initiating conservation ...
  96. [96]
    https://www.wwfindia.org/?27982/Exotic-reptiles-in-illegal-wildlife-trade-in-India
  97. [97]
    Nature Speaks (The WWF-India Podcast)- Episode 1 - YouTube
    Aug 27, 2024 · ... WWF-India, discuss the challenges faced by the Sundarbans and the on-ground interventions, including nature-based solutions, by WWF-India.