
DBF GRANTS
The DeFries Bajpai Foundation (DBF) supports scientists, engineers and practitioners who are working towards sustainable solutions to development. A particular focus is the central highlands of India and development pathways that integrate conservation, economic growth, and livelihoods for local people.
CURRENT GRANTEES
The DBF Grantees with ongoing projects: 2022-2024
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SOUMIK BANERJEE
Project Title – Understanding Status of Fallow Forests in Bewar
Organization – Keystone Foundation

SUBHAG DOLKE
Project Title – Capacitating Community Forest Resources Management Committees for Responsible Forest Governance
Organization – Srujan

SHEKHAR KOLIPAKA
Project Title – Acoustic recordings as a tool for improved communication with small landowners on biodiversity
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Organization - Commonland

SHIVONA BHOJWANI
Project Title – Identifying opportunities and tradeoffs to waterbird conservation in a tropical agricultural mosaic
Organization – University of Minnesota

VIPUL GUPTA
Project Title – Develop a basket of contextually relevant livelihood opportunities that improve communities’ well-being and restore the degraded landscape
Organization – Earthfocus

ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA
Project Title – An approach to localise fires and optimise distribution of fire detection nodes at the Melghat Tiger Reserve
Organization – Indian Institute of Technology, Indore

AMEEN CHARLES
Project Title – Integration of Conservation and Livelihood around Protected forest area of Kanha Tiger Reserve
Organization – Community Development Centre, Balaghat

PRAJAKTA HUSHANGABADKAR
Project Title – A paradigm shift in connectivity planning: Win-win situation for wildlife and people
Organization – Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Conservation
PREVIOUS GRANTEES
2019 Grantees
Adivasi migration from Baiga Chak, Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh: Motivations and changing environmental consciousness: Venkat Ramanujam Ramani, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Banglore, India.
Planning conservation management for wildlife by analyzing hunting practices and alternative livelihood options for Pardhi tribal community in Central India: Manpreet Singh, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India.
Investigating the effect of landscape features on functional connectivity among Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) populations in the Melghat landscape: Neelu Soni, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, India.
Use of Machine Learning Techniques for Improved Surveillance of the Melghat Tiger Reserve: Abhishek Srivastava, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, India.
Road-block for wildlife connectivity: Impact of the road network on genetic connectivity and population structure of Sambar (Rusa unicolor) population in the central Indian landscape: Abhinav Tyagi, National Center For Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India
An attempt to convert farmers in and around protected areas to organic farming with the help of support cum reward structure: Milind Watve, Yuva Rural Association (YRA), Pune
2017 Grantees
The ‘who, what, and where’ of reducing human-wildlife conflict: Understanding behavior profiles of problem individuals and the spatio-temporal distribution of risk hotspots: Himanshu Chittanni, National Centrefor Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India
Involving Local Conservation Leaders in Conservation Communication Efforts: Shekhar Kolipaka, Leo Foundation, The Netherlands
Spatial prioritization for carnivore conservation in a Human-dominated landscape: Mahi Puri, Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore and University of Florida, USA
Design and Development of an Automated Surveillance System using Wireless Sensor Networks for the Melghat Tiger Reserve: Abhishek Srivastava, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore
Studying behavioral response of farmers during pilot implementation of community operated compensation model: Milind Watve, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune