WWF-India, or the World Wide Fund for Nature – India, has been a key voice for conservation in the country for over five decades. It began its journey in 1969 in Mumbai as a small charitable trust, inspired by the global WWF movement. In those early years, its focus was simple but ambitious — to protect India’s incredible wildlife and natural heritage. By 1987, the organisation had adopted its current name, WWF-India, and expanded its vision to look at the bigger picture: how people and nature can live together in harmony.
Today, WWF-India works across the country, from dense forests and high mountains to coastal areas and urban landscapes. Its mission is to protect biodiversity, encourage the sustainable use of natural resources, and reduce the negative impact of human activity on the environment. This means not only safeguarding endangered species and critical habitats, but also influencing how businesses, communities, and governments think about and use resources.
Some of its most recognised work is in species conservation—protecting animals like tigers, elephants, snow leopards, river dolphins, and marine turtles. WWF-India was an early supporter of Project Tiger in the 1970s, a landmark step in India’s conservation history. Alongside wildlife protection, it also works on footprint reduction, helping farmers move towards sustainable agriculture, guiding businesses towards responsible sourcing, and promoting energy efficiency to tackle climate change.
Education has always been a cornerstone of WWF-India’s work. The organisation runs environmental education programmes in schools and colleges, inspiring young people to take up the cause of conservation. Nature Clubs of India, started in 1976, gave thousands of children their first taste of environmental action — a tradition that continues in new forms today.
Headquartered in New Delhi, WWF-India operates through a network of state and field offices that allow it to respond to local needs while staying connected to national and global priorities. Its work is collaborative by nature — partnering with local communities, scientists, businesses, and policymakers to create solutions that last.
From protecting a snow leopard in the Himalayas to helping a coastal village adapt to rising sea levels, WWF-India’s story is one of persistence, partnership, and hope. Over the years, it has shown that conservation is not about choosing between people and nature, but about creating a future where both can thrive.
Learn more about WWF India
Check out their website, podcast, and LinkedIn.
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