Centre for Wildlife Studies

What Centre for Wildlife Studies does

The Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS India), founded in 1984 and headquartered in Bengaluru, is a non-profit scientific and conservation organisation with ~91 staff operating across India's Western and Eastern Ghats. Its core programmatic portfolio comprises three field interventions — Wild Seve (a toll-free helpline-plus-field-staff service for filing ex-gratia compensation claims arising from human-wildlife conflict, active across 4,215+ villages in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and having filed 35,484+ claims), Wild Shaale (an environmental-education curriculum delivered in 1,626+ schools reaching 72,000+ children aged 10-13), and Wild Surakshe (zoonotic-disease and conflict preparedness workshops across 100 wildlife reserves in 8 states, covering 40,000+ lives). These are complemented by a research arm producing 150+ peer-reviewed publications (70+ on tigers — accounting for roughly 40% of global tiger research), 800+ individually identified tigers from the world's longest-running big-cat study, and three grant platforms — Wild Incubator, Wild Incubator Tech (2024), and Wild Incubator Research (2026) — that finance external conservation technology and applied research, respectively.

Underlying technology combines established field-research methodologies (camera trapping, radio-telemetry, occupancy sampling, photographic capture-recapture, GIS, remote sensing) with applied AI/ML pipelines: a Microsoft Power BI API exposing satellite-data-driven wildfire prediction to forest departments, IoT/ML hardware for bat-habitat analytics across 136 species, bioacoustics machine-learning for frog-call classification, satellite-imagery ML for floating-plastic detection in coastal Goa, a generative-AI transcription pipeline for 40,000+ archival bird-ringing records (BNHS), and a fixed-feature identification system for individual elephant recognition from photographs. Distribution runs through trained field staff, school-educator networks, toll-free helplines, an Open Data Kit integration for incident documentation, and academic channelling via long-standing partnerships with the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS, Master's programme since 2004, 103 alumni), Manipal University (active PhD cohort of 16), Duke University and Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.

CWS is funded through a mix of individual donations processed via a Razorpay payment gateway, institutional grants from foundations and corporates (Ashraya Hastha Trust, VM Salgaocar Corporation, Panthera Foundation, Rolex/National Geographic), earmarked contributions for specific programmes, and FCRA-registered foreign contributions. It holds Indian 12A and 80G tax-exemption certifications and is governed by a Board of Trustees led by Managing Trustee Vikram Vaidyanathan, with CEO Dr. Krithi K. Karanth (PhD, Duke; 2019 Rolex laureate; 2026 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year — the first South Asian recipient) succeeding founder Dr. K. Ullas Karanth as the public face of the organisation. The organisation does not disclose audited financials; revenue is to be triangulated from 91 staff, multi-state field operations, grant outflows to external partners, and the magnitude of recent international award recognition.

Name

Centre for Wildlife Studies

Legal name

Centre for Wildlife Studies

Website

https://cwsindia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS India) is a Bengaluru-based wildlife-research and conservation non-profit operating across India's Western and Eastern Ghats, delivering human-wildlife conflict response, environmental education, and public-health programmes alongside a four-decade tiger research database and university-linked doctoral training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG), Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
• Environmental education programs
• Conservation research services
• Zoonotic disease prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru, Karnataka

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting specific conservation, research, and education programs through online payment gateway
2. Institutional Grants and Funding: Funding from donors and partners including foundations, corporations, and international organizations supporting specific programs
3. Academic Partnerships: Partnerships with Manipal University for doctoral program and NCBS for master's program provide educational funding and institutional support
4. Wild Incubator Grant Program: Competitive grant program awarding funds to conservation organizations, supported by partnerships with VM Salgaocar Corporation and others

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Centre for Wildlife Studies operates community-based wildlife conservation programs (Wild Seve for human-wildlife conflict compensation assistance, Wild Shaale for school environmental education, Wild Surakshe for zoonotic disease prevention), grant programs funding external conservation organizations, biodiversity research, and academic degree programs in partnership with universities. The organization delivers field conservation services, scientific research, and educational programs across India's Western and Eastern Ghats.

Product overview

Centre for Wildlife Studies operates as a multi-program conservation organization comprising three core conservation programs (Wild Seve, Wild Shaale, Wild Surakshe), three grant programs supporting external organizations (Wild Incubator, Wild Incubator Tech, Wild Incubator Research), academic programs (Doctoral, Master's, and International programs), and research services. The organization combines field conservation with education, technology innovation, and academic partnerships to address wildlife research, human-wildlife conflict, and conservation challenges across India's diverse ecosystems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wild Seve: Award-winning conservation intervention program providing access to ex-gratia compensation payments and assistance to people affected by human-wildlife conflict.
• Wild Shaale
• Wild Surakshe
• Wild Incubator
• Wild Incubator Tech
• Adopt A PHC

Products and services

• Wild Seve Award-winning conservation intervention providing timely assistance to communities affected by human-wildlife conflict through a toll-free helpline, field documentation system, and ex-gratia compensation claim filing with forest departments. Reaches 4,215+ villages across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, with 35,484+ claims filed.
• Wild Shaale Environmental education curriculum for school-going children aged 10-13 years living near wildlife reserves, delivered through trained educators in 1,626+ schools across 39 wildlife reserves in 5 states. Has reached 72,019+ children to develop future stewards of conservation.
• Wild Surakshe Public health and safety training program that empowers rural communities near 100 wildlife reserves across 8 states to tackle zoonotic diseases, prevent wildlife disease transmission, and respond to human-wildlife conflict. 1,301+ workshops completed, reaching 40,069+ lives.
• Wild Incubator Competitive grant program for registered Indian non-profit organizations (with 80G and 12A certifications) funding innovative conservation projects on human-wildlife interactions, wildlife trade, biodiversity conservation, and habitat restoration. Award: Rs 20,00,000.
• Wild Incubator Tech Technology incubator program awarding grants for India-specific conservation innovations using IoT, AI, Open Data, Satellite Imaging, GIS, and Remote Sensing. Award: Rs 20,00,000 each for five winners, with Rs 4,00,000 additional for equipment purchase.
• Wild Incubator Research Program Research grant program in partnership with VM Salgaocar Corporation supporting organizations working at the intersection of wildlife research, technology, and applied conservation in the Western Ghats with focus on Goa. Award: Rs 10,00,000 each for up to three organizations.
• Adopt A PHC Healthcare support initiative delivering essential medical equipment to 610 Primary Healthcare Centres across 28 districts in rural Karnataka and Goa, originally established during the COVID-19 pandemic response.
• Biodiversity Research Wildlife research program spanning 40 years covering big cats, carnivores, biodiversity outside protected areas, and human-modified agricultural landscapes across India's diverse ecosystems. Includes the world's longest-running big cat research project identifying 800+ individual tigers and 150+ peer-reviewed publications.
• Doctoral Program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Ph.D. program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation offered in partnership with Manipal University, currently supporting 16 doctoral fellows studying species from tigers, elephants, hornbills, gibbons, and mountain ungulates, as well as human dimensions of conservation.
• NCBS Master's Program in Wildlife Biology and Conservation Two-year Master's Degree Program in Wildlife Biology and Conservation conducted in partnership with National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). 103 students have matriculated since 2004, with 16 completing PhDs and 20 pursuing doctorates worldwide.
• International Academic Programme Study abroad program conducted in partnership with Duke University and Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, offering undergraduate students exposure to wildlife conservation, development, and practical field techniques.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,484+ compensation claims filed for human-wildlife conflict
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Partnership to run two-year Masters Degree Program in Wildlife Biology and Conservation; 103 students matriculated since 2004, 16 completed PhDs, 20 pursuing doctorates worldwide
• Duke UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint undergraduate program in sciences, providing students opportunity to experience conservation education in India through a full-fledged academic programme
• Inland Norway University of Applied SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to run Conservation Ecology and Development Course providing nuanced understanding in wildlife conservation, development, and practical field techniques
• Manipal UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering PhD in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; currently 16 students enrolled studying species from tigers, elephants, hornbills, gibbons and mountain ungulates as well as human dimensions of conservation
• Science for Nature and People PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership on connectivity and infrastructure development helping decision-makers plan for infrastructure while maintaining wildlife connectivity in Western Ghats and central India
• WWF IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Wild Incubator Tech project for Remote Sensing and Machine Learning-Based Detection of Floating Offshore Plastic Debris in Coastal Goa
• Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Wild Incubator Tech project for Digitisation of Bird Ringing Data, working with 2 million tagged birds data collected since 1959
• United States Geological SurveyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal collaboration partner in pioneering development of field methods and new sampling techniques including radio-telemetry and animal population modelling

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WWF India: India arm of WWF, working on species conservation, habitat protection, and community programs. Directly comparable to CWS in operating geography, target species (tigers), and community-led interventions; also a current CWS partner on the Wild Incubator Tech project.
• Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE): India-based research NGO focused on biodiversity, ecosystems, and sustainability science. Comparable to CWS in academic-style research output, doctoral training, and Western Ghats focus.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Global wildlife conservation NGO operating field research, community programs, and policy advocacy across multiple geographies. Highly comparable to CWS in mission, research-driven approach, and on-the-ground conservation interventions.
• Wildlife Trust of India: National conservation NGO focused on species recovery, habitat protection, and wildlife trade mitigation. Comparable to CWS in mission, India-wide operating scope, and partnership-driven program delivery model.
• Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS): One of India's oldest conservation organizations conducting ornithological and wildlife research. Directly comparable in research depth and India-focused field conservation; current CWS partner on the bird ringing data digitization project.
• Panthera: Global wild cat conservation organization that funds and operates big cat research and anti-poaching programs. Directly comparable to CWS's tiger research leadership; also a current CWS partner supporting the Wild Incubator Program.
• Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF): India-based conservation NGO focused on scientific research and community engagement across the Western Ghats. Strong peer overlap with CWS in research methodology, target geographies, and academic-style organizational structure.

Emerging players

• Conservation India: India-focused conservation advocacy and citizen science platform. Adjacent to CWS in mission and target geography, with smaller scale and a media/advocacy-led model rather than direct field operations.
• The Habitats Trust: Indian conservation grant-making organization funding habitat and species protection projects. Comparable to CWS's Wild Incubator grant program model; partial overlap on geographies and beneficiary NGOs.

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Institute of India: Government-affiliated national institute for wildlife research, training, and academic programs. Comparable to CWS in research depth and doctoral-level capacity building, with broader institutional mandate and funding base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cwsindia

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre for Wildlife Studies