ACT India Foundation implements the Madras Hedgehog Conservation Programme in selected landscapes of the Eastern Ghats of Salem District to promote species conservation, ecological awareness, and community-led environmental stewardship. The programme focuses on protecting the vulnerable Madras Hedgehog (*Paraechinus nudiventris*), an endemic and lesser-known species of southern India that plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance and healthy ecosystems.
The initiative combines biodiversity conservation with community participation by engaging children, youth, farmers, local communities, and educational institutions in wildlife education and habitat protection activities. The programme raises awareness about the ecological importance of the species, threats to its survival, and the need to conserve its natural habitats within the dry scrub forests and agricultural landscapes of the Eastern Ghats.
ACT India Foundation conducts environmental education campaigns, citizen science activities, school eco-clubs, nature walks, species observation exercises, creative learning sessions, and community outreach programmes to build local ownership for conservation. Special emphasis is placed on reducing habitat degradation, promoting coexistence between people and wildlife, and strengthening grassroots participation in biodiversity conservation.
The programme also supports ecological restoration by encouraging native vegetation, sustainable land-use practices, and climate-resilient community actions that protect biodiversity while benefiting local livelihoods. Through partnerships with conservation organisations, government agencies, educational institutions, volunteers, and local communities, ACT India Foundation is fostering a new generation of environmental stewards committed to protecting the unique biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats.
By integrating species conservation, ecology education, and community participation, the Madras Hedgehog Conservation Programme contributes to healthier ecosystems, enhanced environmental awareness, and long-term conservation outcomes for one of India's unique and under-recognised native species.