Prakriti Research Fellowship

Our World is witnessing/causing the 6th Extinction - an irreparable loss to biodiversity and ecologically diverse habitat. Research into these areas are must for directing Conservation Action. The PRF is aimed at funding individual researchers and has been successful in initiating excellent projects on diverse subjects such as Herbs, Odonates, Pangolins and also demonstrated Conservation action. We are excited with all the ON GROUND ZERO work happening with support of the PRF and Forest Department. We believe it is important to conduct a lot more research and awareness of our rich biodiversity and PRF is acting as a catalyst in attracting and retaining talented researchers in this field.

Receiving the Prakriti Research Fellowship was a transformative moment for us at Conservation indica. Shortly after registering our non-profit in 2024, this fellowship became our first affirmation that our vision had value. Its support allowed us to leave our jobs and fully dedicate ourselves to building Conservation indica, turning a dream into full-time action. Though modest in scale, it laid the critical foundation for our work in the semi-arid savannahs of Surendranagar, Gujarat, and continues to inspire us to pursue conservation deeply rooted in community knowledge.

People’s imagination of conservation in cities is often limited to tree plantation drives, development of guides and reference books, or environmental lessons in elite schools. I envisioned the revitalization of abandoned green spaces in marginalized neighborhoods as places where local children could explore and engage with critters on the margins of urban ecology. My vision has come to life due to the trust and support given to me by PRF. PRF was the first grant I received after multiple rejections from more mainstream avenues. Project Critterabad’s success is an important “proof of concept”, and I have a portfolio which will enable the proliferation of this work. I am super grateful and excited for what comes next!

I had never imagined that there is such an amazing world of dragonflies out there. Through this workshop, I got to learn so much about dragonflies, which I always considered as a mere insect and ignored. Here onwards, I will look around, take photos of dragonflies, and contribute my data to the Marathwada Citizen Science Project to do my bit of research and conservation.

Forest officials, especially the patrolling staff, were trained to monitor the activity pattern of hispid hare in the grasslands of Manas. Since 80% of people are unaware of the presence and importance of the species in their forest beat, our ongoing capacity building has initiated excellent results on the field. This initiative will also help in large scale monitoring of the Hispid Hare survey, which we plan to organize this winter.

We cannot conserve what we are not aware of. Some of the past fellowships have researched biodiversity including pangolins, odonates and tigers in the Marathwada area. This inspired us to support further research.

As a passionate outdoor/wilderness enthusiast I am pleased to contribute in a meaningful way to research and conserve biodiversity. Young ecologists need to be encouraged and enabled to venture in this field.

Without PRF 2022, I would never had the support I needed to carry out rigorous research in challenging conditions and create published material for outreach. The fellowship gave me the ability to travel extensively in my field, work in more sites, and engage with volunteers and interns to help make a comprehensive project.