Co‐designing conservation interventions through participatory action research in the Indian Trans‐Himalaya

Community-based conservation, despite being more inclusive than fortress has been criticized for a top-down implementation of external ideas brought to local communities conservation's benefit. This is particularly true Changpas, the pastoral people Changthang in trans-Himalayan India who live alongside unique wildlife. Our main aim was co-design conservation interventions through participatory action research. We worked with two Changpa communities, understand issues faced by them. Subsequently, we co-designed context-sensitive facilitate positive human–nature interactions. did so integrating PARTNERS (Presence, Aptness, Respect, Transparency, Empathy, Responsiveness, Strategic Support) principles Trinity Voice (Access, Standing and Influence). In Rupsho, facilitated focus group discussions (FGDs) led community. found livestock depredation wildlife primarily weather. co-designing new corral design, which piloted seven households, safeguarding 2385 pashmina goats sheep. Approximating value each sheep/goat be USD125, this intervention amounts significant economic protection USD c. 42,500 household. along intangible gains trust, ownership improved self-esteem. Tegazong, restricted area adjoining Indo-China border no previous research records, 43 co-create questions mutual interest. Wildlife presence reasons loss were identified as areas The herders suggested they would record data form their choice, 6 months, while winter pastures. community monitoring revealed nutrition hypothermia key cause death. delimited previously untested interventions: lamb cribs provisioning locally sourced barley feed supplement. recorded first Tibetan Gazelle Procapra picticuadata, outside known distribution, Tegazong. highlight benefits projects that link also discussing challenges faced. Ultimately, such are needed ensure ethical knowledge generation aims decolonial inclusive.