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Wildlife
Protection Society
of India (WPSI)
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A magnificent beast, burning bright in Central India
in 2006
, the tiger and leopard populations
in the vast and remote regions of central India
were being decimated by organized poaching
syndicates. By 2013, these wildlife crimes
virtually came to a stop. e reason for this
remarkable turnaround is the committed and
collaborative effort of the Forest Departments,
individuals and regional NGO’s, including the
Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI). In
particular, WPSI’s innovative Secret Information
Reward Scheme which gives incentives to local
people to report any crimes against wild animals
in the vicinity of their villages, with the promise
of total anonymity, which are then dealt with by
the authorities.
is collaborative partnership between the
government, NGOs and the community is the
hallmark of WPSI. It was started by wildlife
photographer Belinda Wright, the daughter of
the legendary Anne Wright, who co-founded
WWF India and spearheaded Project Tiger.
‘WPSI works through a comprehensive
approach that involves engaging with local
communities, curbing hunting through
awareness, co-developing alternative
livelihoods, and reducing people’s antagonism
against wildlife. WPSI has since pioneered
innovative conservation strategies across India,
Founded by Belinda Wright, OBE, in 1995
The main objective of the Wildlife
Protection Society of India has
been to bring a new focus to the
daunting task of tackling India’s
growing wildlife crisis. It does this by
providing support and information
to government authorities to combat
poaching and the escalating illegal
wildlife trade, and by fostering
community-led conservation
initiatives.WPSI’s anti-poaching
outreach in Central India has
engaged over 825,000 people living
around six Tiger Reserves, and its
overall effort across India has assisted
authorities in the apprehension of
over 600 alleged wildlife criminals.