In a proud moment for India’s conservation community, Parveen Shaikh has been awarded the prestigious Whitley Award 2026, often referred to as the “Green Oscars”, for her outstanding work in protecting the endangered Indian skimmer bird through community-driven conservation efforts.
The award, presented by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature, recognises grassroots leaders working to safeguard biodiversity across the Global South.
Recognition for Grassroots Conservation
Parveen Shaikh, a scientist associated with the Bombay Natural History Society, has been honoured for her innovative “Guardians of the Skimmer” initiative, which combines scientific research with active community participation.
Her work focuses on protecting the endangered Indian skimmer, a rare riverine bird species that depends on fragile sandbar habitats for breeding.
The Whitley Award not only recognises her contribution but also provides funding support to scale up conservation efforts and expand impact.
Saving the Indian Skimmer: A Race Against Time
The Indian skimmer is a globally vulnerable species, with India hosting over 90% of its estimated population of around 3,000 birds.
However, the species faces multiple threats:
- Habitat loss due to sand mining and dam construction
- Disturbance from fishing, boat traffic, and human activity
- Pollution and changing river ecosystems
Shaikh’s initiative addresses these challenges by protecting nesting sites, monitoring populations, and involving local communities as conservation partners.
Impact of the “Guardians of the Skimmer” Initiative
The results of her work have been both measurable and impactful:
- Population in the Chambal region increased from ~400 (2017) to nearly 1,000 (2025)
- Significant improvement in nest survival rates
- Local communities actively engaged as “nest guardians”
By turning local residents into stakeholders, the project has transformed attitudes—from indifference to active environmental stewardship.
Expansion to Ganga Basin
With the Whitley Award funding, Shaikh now plans to expand her conservation model to Prayagraj, where the Ganga and Yamuna rivers meet.
This region presents new challenges:
- Increased pollution and religious activity
- Heavy boat traffic and fishing pressure
- Greater risk to nesting sites
The expansion will include:
- GPS-based monitoring of nests
- Community-led protection systems
- Incentives for local guardians to sustain conservation efforts
A Global Honour for Local Action
The Whitley Awards celebrate grassroots conservation leaders worldwide, providing each winner with funding and international visibility. In 2026, six conservationists from across continents were honoured for their work on biodiversity protection.
Shaikh’s recognition highlights the growing importance of community-based conservation models, especially in ecologically sensitive regions like river ecosystems.
India’s Strong Presence in Global Conservation
Parveen Shaikh is among the Indian winners this year, alongside conservationists working on other endangered species such as the Himalayan salamander.
Her success underscores:
- India’s critical role in global biodiversity conservation
- The effectiveness of community-driven environmental initiatives
- The need to protect fragile ecosystems like rivers and wetlands
