Conservation is not just ecological but also social, and there can be no capacity-building in this field without gender empowerment. Across India, women are playing a leading role in conservation. Mehreen Khaleel studies endangered species such as the Himalayan grey langur and trains young Kashmiri women in conservation. Khaleel’s work emphasises environmental education and human-wildlife conflict resolution, particularly addressing the challenges wildlife face due to habitat changes.

This dual focus on ecology and capacity-building is ground-breaking in Kashmir, where conservation has often been male-dominated. Her approach ensures the creation of a new generation of women leaders in environmental stewardship. The valuable work of women in conservation remains most often localised. Many could become templates for other regions of India.

In Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, Sapna Khando helps farmers protect their crops from........

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