Barkha Subba and Parveen Shaikh Won Whitley Awards 2026

Indian conservationists Barkha Subba and Parveen Shaikh have won the Whitley Awards 2026 for their grassroots efforts in biodiversity conservation.

About the Whitley Awards
Popularly known as the “Green Oscars,” these awards are given by the Whitley Fund for Nature to support community-led conservation projects in the Global South, along with funding and global recognition.

Work of Barkha Subba

• Focuses on conservation of the Himalayan Salamander in Darjeeling.
• Leads efforts to restore habitats, remove invasive species, and monitor diseases like chytrid fungus.
• Promotes community awareness, sustainable land use, and eco-tourism.
• The species is endemic to India, Nepal, and Bhutan and is highly vulnerable due to philopatry (returning to natal sites for breeding).

Work of Parveen Shaikh

• Leads the “Guardians of the Skimmer” initiative on the Chambal River.
• Focuses on protecting nesting sites of the Indian Skimmer.
• Community-led conservation increased nest survival from 14% to 27%.
• Local population rose from ~400 (2017) to ~1,000 individuals recently.

About Indian Skimmer

• A rare riverine bird known for its unique feeding style—skimming water surfaces to catch fish.
• Nests on sandbars and mid-river islands, making it highly sensitive to river flow changes.
• India hosts over 90% of its global population (~3,000).

Significance
The recognition highlights the importance of community-driven conservation, protection of endemic and endangered species, and India’s critical role in global biodiversity conservation.

Source: HT