Published on October 8, 2025
Delhi, India
As the forests whisper warnings of vanishing wonders, India steps up with a symphony of conservation—launching five ambitious projects to shield endangered icons from dolphin to tiger. Under the banner of Wildlife Week 2025, themed “Human–Wildlife Coexistence,” Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav unveiled these initiatives at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun. It’s a clarion call for shared stewardship, blending tech, communities, and policy to turn conflict into harmony, proving that India’s wild heart beats stronger when humans and habitats sync.
The Grand Unveiling: Wildlife Week’s Dehradun Spotlight
This wasn’t a quiet affair— it was a biodiversity bash drawing forest warriors, scientists, and youth from over 20 states, all united under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Event Epicenter: Hosted at IGNFA, Dehradun, in partnership with Wildlife Institute of India (WII), ICFRE, IGNFA, and FRI— a melting pot of minds tackling tomorrow’s threats.
- Theme’s Thrust: “Human–Wildlife Coexistence” spotlights shifting from clashes to collaborations, with Minister Yadav declaring, “Wildlife protection is a shared responsibility,” urging tech-savvy reforms and community vibes.
- Hackathon Highlight: A national showdown drew 420 innovators from 75 institutions across 20 states/UTs, wielding AI and analytics for conflict fixes—top teams snagged cash and glory before a jury of experts.
- Bonus Boosts: Four population probes launched too—River Dolphin Cycle 2 (with a shiny new field guide), All India Tiger Estimation (Cycle 6 in 8 languages), Snow Leopard Action Plan (Cycle 2), and Great Indian Bustard/Lesser Florican report—arming India with data-driven defenses.
Project Dolphin (Phase II): Surfing Back from the Brink
Diving deep into aquatic realms, this sequel amps up safeguards for river and marine dolphins amid rising perils.
- Species Spotlight: River and marine dolphins, battling noise, nets, and filth.
- Core Quest: Habitat upgrades and threat takedowns to monitor and multiply populations.
- Strategic Swims: Underwater noise curbs, fishing reforms, and pollution patrols—expanding Phase I’s wins.
- Launch Lowdown: Minister Yadav’s ribbon-cut at Dehradun, tying into the week’s cetacean census kickoff.
Project Sloth Bear: Clawing Back Against Habitat Havoc
From honey-hunting heroes to hunted shadows, sloth bears get a national lifeline to roam free.
- Species Spotlight: Sloth bears, squeezed by sprawl and snares.
- Core Quest: A blueprint to battle habitat erosion, human tussles, and poaching rings.
- Strategic Swipes: Anti-poach patrols, conflict zones mapped, and habitat hotspots revived— a structured shield for the shaggy survivors.
- Launch Lowdown: Unveiled in Dehradun, framing sloth bears as coexistence champs in forested fringes.
Project Gharial: Snout-First Revival for River Royals
Critically endangered crocs take center stage in a riverine renaissance, snapping back from the edge.
- Species Spotlight: Gharial, the long-snouted sentinel of streams.
- Core Quest: Ecosystem rescues and breeding boosts to rebuild nesting nooks.
- Strategic Snaps: River cleanups, nest fortifications, and captive-to-wild releases—holistic healing for aquatic ancients.
- Launch Lowdown: Dehradun debut by Yadav, syncing with broader wetland warrior efforts.
Centre of Excellence for Human–Wildlife Conflict (CoE-HWC): Tech Tactics for Tense Territories
Not a single-species saga, but a conflict-crushing hub to harmonize humans and beasts.
- Species Spotlight: All conflict culprits, from elephants to leopards.
- Core Quest: Policy firepower, AI monitors, and mitigation mastery for hotspot havoc.
- Strategic Sparks: Real-time alerts, community drills, and data dashboards—headquartered at SACON for nationwide reach.
- Launch Lowdown: Inaugurated in Dehradun, fueling the hackathon’s innovative fire.
Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves Initiative: Striped Sentinels Beyond the Bars
Tigers tired of reserve life get roaming rights with rural allies in this boundary-busting bid.
- Species Spotlight: Tigers prowling park peripheries.
- Core Quest: Landscape links and community crews to safeguard stripey strays.
- Strategic Stripes: Camera traps for tracking, village pacts for peace, and eco-corridors for wanderlust—extending Project Tiger’s turf.
- Launch Lowdown: Dehradun rollout, dovetailing with the All India Tiger tally.
