Wild Incubator Research Program

India is home to rich ecosystems and a wide array of endemic wildlife species that face pressures from habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-driven environmental change. The Centre for Wildlife Studies is partnering with VM Salgaocar Corporation Pvt. Ltd. to support organizations working at the intersection of wildlife research, technology, and applied conservation through initiatives that generate solutions for biodiversity protection.

The Wild Incubator Research Program is designed to foster innovative projects that combine strong scientific foundations with meaningful on-ground impact, helping address critical conservation priorities across the Western Ghats, with a special focus on Goa.

Evaluation of Projects

Proposals will be evaluated through a transparent and merit-based selection process based on their eligibility, conservation relevance, scientific rigor, feasibility, objectives, methodology, innovation, scalability, and potential for measurable on-ground impact.

Particular emphasis will be placed on projects addressing critical conservation challenges in the Western Ghats, with a primary focus on Goa, that address some of the following:

1. Applied, solution-oriented research with demonstrable conservation outcomes
2. Endemic species conservation relevance in Western Ghats
3. Habitat protection
4. Wildlife monitoring
5. Species conservation
6. Human–wildlife coexistence
7. Community-based conservation initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

1. The proposal has to be submitted through an organization. No individual proposals will be entertained.
2. The project cannot be an academic research project (example master’s or doctoral research).
3. The Organization should be a registered non-profit organization/NGO in India.
4. Should have 80G and 12A Registrations.
5. Applicants must be organizations engaged in wildlife research and conservation in India.
6. Applications should align with one or more of the Program focus areas.
7. Proposed projects must address critical conservation challenges in the Western Ghats, with a primary focus on Goa.

2026-2027 Wild Incubator Research Program Winners

Conserving the Vulnerable Malabar Grey Hornbill: A Keystone Species in Western Ghats of Goa
– Arannya Environment Research Organisation

The Malabar Grey Hornbill is further an important keystone species for seed dispersal in fragmented and human modified landscapes. This study aims to identify nesting sites of Malabar Grey Hornbill outside the PA network in Sattari Taluka of Goa, study the breeding ecology, nesting tree requirement, food resource availability, habitat connectivity, and anthropogenic pressures on Malabar Grey Hornbill. It will also look into community participation for preparation of species specific conservation plan of Malabar Grey Hornbill and engagement for awareness, education and habitat enrichment initiatives.

Population Dynamics, Distribution and Conservation Concerns of the Collared Kingfisher in Goa
– Mineral Foundation of Goa

Unlike many of Goa’s other kingfisher species that occur across a range of freshwater environments, the Collared Kingfisher is restricted to coastal habitats. Its dependence on mangroves, tidal creeks and estuarine ecosystems makes it an important indicator of the ecological health of these fragile landscapes. The study seeks to document the current distribution of the Collared Kingfisher across Goa’s coastal and estuarine ecosystems and to estimate population abundance and density within major habitat complexes. It will examine habitat preferences and identify environmental variables influencing the species’ occurrence. In addition, the study will assess current and emerging threats to the species and its habitat, identify priority conservation areas and develop recommendations for long-term monitoring and management.

Assessment of Human–Elephant Conflict in North Goa: Ecological Drivers, Socio-economic Impacts, Identification of Conflict hot spots, major elephant routes and Management Strategies
– Sage Goa

The frequency of elephant incursions into North Goa has increased, resulting in crop damage and livelihood losses, increased risk to human safety, negative attitudes towards wildlife conservation, lack of information on elephant movement routes, limited understanding of ecological and social drivers of conflict and inadequate evidence for planning mitigation measures. This project aims to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of human–elephant conflict in North Goa and develop science-based management strategies for promoting human–elephant coexistence by documenting the history and current status of human–elephant conflict, identifying and mapping conflict hotspots using GIS assessing ecological factors influencing elephant movement and crop-raiding behavior, identifying major elephant movement routes, quantifying socio-economic impacts on local communities and evaluating local perceptions towards elephants and conflict mitigation measures.