Karnataka launches society for corporate participation in conservation

The forest department on Tuesday launched a society to enable corporate companies to take part in conservation efforts as well as mitigation works to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Karnataka Forest, Wildlife and Climate Change Foundation will have four objectives: To correct imbalances in conservation, to avoid duplication of efforts, brand building exercises and to provide impact assessments. The department brought in its brand ambassador renowned cricketer Anil Kumble to send the message to the corporate companies about the need to contribute to conservation.

Minister Eshwar B Khandre, who launched the event, said the department was looking forward for funds through corporate social responsibility (CSR) channels for afforestation activities, wildlife protection works, eco-restoration of degraded forests, lake and westland rejuvenation and for urban biodiversity parks.

“I want to make it clear at the outset that all the funds received for the programmes will be used in a just, judicious and transparent way. All the information about the same will be available in the public domain, along with the audited balance sheets,” he said.

In a brief response to a question, Kumble said he hopes to be a catalyst in harnessing the love that people have towards wildlife to boost the conservation efforts.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Meenakshi Negi stated that the foundation would be an instrument that will respond to requirements from the field. She cited the example of the tiger foundations.

“The government system was not tuned in to the urgency of the situation in the case of releasing ex gratia to victims in wildlife conflicts. Tiger foundations stepped in at the time. Today, they are the backbone of the department,” she said, adding that the KFWCCF will enable corporations to contribute to conservation.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Evaluation, Working Plan, Research, Training and Climate Change) B P Ravi said while some of the impacts of climate change on ecology are yet to be understood, the cost of conservation was rising.

“Patrolling the forests is at the core of conservation. However, it requires frontline staff on the ground. The department needs to hire and take care of its personnel. Staffers have to reach out to villages bordering forests for managing conflict situations. All these require funds,” he said, adding that the foundation will be registered as a charitable society so that donors can claim tax exemption.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vijay Mohan Raj said the foundation can be a vehicle for innovative projects to promote greenery in Bengaluru and its neighbouring districts. The officer batted for a new certification system where areas can be recognised as “carbon neutral neighbourhoods” to promote larger green spaces, tree planting and the department can supply seedlings to achieve that goal.