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Parveen Shaikh Wins Whitley Award for Skimmer Conservation
Parveen Shaikh Wins Whitley Award for Skimmer Conservation
Indian scientist Parveen Shaikh has been honored with the 2026 Whitley Award, a prestigious international prize often referred to as the "Green Oscar." A scientist with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Shaikh was recognized for her innovative, community-led efforts to save the endangered Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis).
The Winning Project: "Guardians of the Skimmer"
Shaikh’s work focuses on the Chambal River, which holds a significant portion of the world's remaining Indian skimmer population.
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The "Guardian" Model: Rather than relying solely on external researchers, Shaikh trained over 30 local villagers as nest guardians. These guardians scout for new sandbars, monitor nests daily, and protect eggs from predators like free-ranging dogs, jackals, and trampling by cattle.
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Scientific Success: Under her leadership, nest survival rates nearly doubled, rising from 14% to 27%.
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Population Growth: The local skimmer population in the project area grew from roughly 400 individuals in 2017 to nearly 1,000 in 2025.
Key Details about the Indian Skimmer
The Indian skimmer is a unique riverine bird known for its distinctive feeding habit and appearance:
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Unique Feature: It has a bright orange bill where the lower mandible is longer than the upper, allowing it to "skim" the water surface for fish while flying.
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Endangered Status: India is the last stronghold for the species, hosting over 90% of the global population (estimated at only 3,000 birds).
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Vulnerability: They nest on seasonal sandbars and mid-river islands, making them highly susceptible to changes in river flow, human disturbance, and pollution.
Future Plans and the Whitley Funding
The award includes £50,000 (approx. ₹52 Lakhs) in project funding, which Shaikh plans to use for:
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Expansion to Prayagraj: Scaling the "Guardian" model to the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, where birds face heavy boat traffic and religious activities.
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Advanced Monitoring: Utilizing GPS mapping for real-time nest tracking and data collection.
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Experimental Solutions: Testing artificial nesting platforms in the Chambal River to mitigate habitat loss.
Context of the Whitley Award
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Organizer: The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), a UK-based charity.
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2026 Indian Winners: Parveen Shaikh is one of two Indian winners this year. The other is Barkha Subba, who was recognized for her work conserving the Himalayan salamander in Darjeeling.
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The Ceremony: The awards were presented by Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London in late April 2026.
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