In a significant step towards wildlife conservation, Anil Agarwal Foundation and The Animal Care Organization (TACO) have joined forces with Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, Govt of Assam, to launch Mission Vanraksha. This ambitious initiative aims to safeguard Assam’s precious wildlife.
The project involves the development of a state-of-the-art surveillance centre to monitor the activities in the wildlife sanctuary and install modern dwelling units for the park’s frontline workers. The Memorandum of association, signed between Ms. Ritu Jhingon, President, Anil Agarwal Foundation and Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, outlines a grant of INR 6 crores to be utilised over a period of three years for this collaboration. Also present at the ceremony was Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd, and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd who anchors the TACO project.
Shri Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister of Environment & Forest, Govt. of Assam, graced the event and expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “Kaziranga National Park is not just a treasure of Assam but of the entire world. We are committing to support TACO’s initiative ‘Mission Vanraksha’ where they will provide surveillance centre to maintain a zero poaching zone and to promote conservation and sustainability in our state. The establishment of dwelling units for forest frontline workers is a critical component of this initiative, ensuring that those who protect our heritage are well-supported. The well-being of the frontline workers will help them maintain Kaziranga’s unparalleled beauty and biodiversity.”
The event, held in Guwahati, Assam, was attended by senior government officials, forest experts, and media representatives. It marked a significant milestone in the collaboration between Vedanta, TACO, and Kaziranga National Park.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, spread over 1302 sq km, is famous for its success story of reviving the population of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros and is today home to over 2613 of these iconic species. Mission Vanraksha is a testament to Vedanta’s dedication and its unwavering support for wildlife and biodiversity conservation. By empowering the frontline workers of Kaziranga National Park, Mission Vanraksha is paving the way for a more secure and sustainable future for Assam’s rich biodiversity.
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