What is the US$1.1m Amazon-Backed Wild Carbon Programme?

In the face of rising human-wildlife conflict, India’s Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is at the centre of a new conservation effort. 

Spearheaded by Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund in partnership with the Centre for Wildlife Studies, the initiative seeks to protect endangered species like tigers while supporting local farmers. 

By planting trees that form wildlife corridors and generate income, the project offers a practical and inclusive approach to climate action. 

It demonstrates how nature-based solutions can align environmental protection with rural development.

A critical conservation landscape

India is home to 70% of the world’s wild tiger population, with the Western Ghats providing vital habitat for these and other iconic species according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority. 

However, only roughly 5% of India’s land is protected for conservation, according to the Wildlife Institute of India. 

While the region is a source of national pride, its rich biodiversity brings frequent clashes between people and animals, especially where farmlands border tiger reserves. 

Monkeys and elephants often damage staple crops like rice and bananas, threatening local food security and income.

A nature-positive solution

To address this challenge, Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund has collaborated with the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), a world-renowned center for the conservation of tigers, elephants and other iconic Indian species. 

The fund has issued a US$1.1m grant to help CWS establish the Wild Carbon programme.

It incentivises farmers to plant fruit-bearing, timber and medicinal trees around conservation zones, forming biodiversity-friendly corridors that serve multiple purposes:

• Supporting herbivore populations
• Enabling tiger and elephant movement
• Providing economic value to communities.

“By partnering with farms and farmers whose lands abut India’s premier tiger reserves, we are hoping to create space for wildlife movement and build long-term opportunities for vulnerable people to overcome human-wildlife conflict,” said Krithi Karanth, CEO of the Centre for Wildlife Studies.

These corridors do more than support large mammals. They serve as buffer habitats for endangered birds, reptiles and amphibians, enhancing the resilience of the entire ecosystem.

Community-led conservation

Since its launch in autumn 2023, the programme has planted 173,520 saplings across 100 hectares, directly involving 424 farming families and positively impacting more than 2,000 people. 

The trees’ survival rate, averaging 82.7%, is testament to the local commitment behind the project, a key measure of its sustainability.

“Investing in nature and communities creates meaningful benefits for both people and the environment,” explains Justine Mahler, Director of Waste, Water and Biodiversity at Amazon.

“It's important that we consider the whole picture, which involves working hand-in-hand with local communities every step of the way.”

Technology meets tradition

What sets Wild Carbon apart is its integration of science and grassroots knowledge. 

A team of 24 professionals, including drone pilots and programme managers, use remote sensing and field surveys to monitor progress. 

Doctoral researchers are also working with communities to understand what incentives make conservation efforts valuable and viable in the long term.

Crucially, farmers are consulted on the types of trees planted, choosing those that will deliver economic returns alongside ecological value. 

The programme also provides training in cultivation techniques, ensuring that the benefits of reforestation are shared equitably.

By 2026, Wild Carbon aims to support 2,000 households and plant 300,000 trees by 2027. 

Amazon’s wildlife pledges

Amazon is scaling its global conservation impact through the US$100m Right Now Climate Fund, supporting nature-based solutions that protect biodiversity, restore habitats and uplift communities. 

In Mumbai, the company has invested US$1.2m to fund the restoration of Thane Creek’s mangroves, vital wetlands along the Central Asian Flyway that support nearly one million migratory birds, including flamingoes, herons and other threatened species. 

The initiative, led in partnership with Hasten Regeneration, combines large-scale plastic waste removal, replanting of 375,000 mangrove trees and job creation for local fishing communities. 

Elsewhere, Amazon is funding rewilding and habitat restoration across Europe for species such as beavers, harvest mice and pollinators, while in Brazil, its Agroforestry and Restoration Accelerator protects rainforest ecosystems vital to jaguars, tapirs and macaws.

Across all regions, Amazon’s projects harness community engagement, technology like drones and remote sensing and long-term policy work to create resilient ecosystems where wildlife and people thrive together.