History

World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF India) was founded with the express objective of ensuring the conservation of the country's wildlife and natural habitats. It was set up as a Charitable Public Trust on 27 November 1969. It was then known as the World Wildlife Fund India, much before the terms 'wildlife' and 'environment' had caught the attention of the government or the public.

WWF India's modest beginnings entailed operating out of a limited office space at Horn Bill House in Mumbai and very few full-time staff. The running of the office relied largely on the goodwill of the close-knit group of its founders, and other associates who voluntarily contributed their time and resources to the work of the organisation. 

Throughout the seventies and eighties, WWF India kept its focus primarily on wildlife and nature conservation. Whilst our conservation initiatives for the tiger and other priority species continue to be a core area of our work, our programmes move ahead on education, sustainable agriculture, marine conservation, engaging with businesses to adopt better environmental practices, inspiring citizens to take positive action for the planet, among many others.