SANCTUARY NATURE FOUNDATION - IMPACT REPORT 2020-2021
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Sanctuary
naTURE
FOUNDATION
Shiv kumar
Impact Report 2020-2021
Impact Report 2020-2021 1
Sanctuary
naTURE
FOUNDATION
Vipin Kumar Sharma
Impact Report 2020-2021
2 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 3
CONTENTS
Message from the Founder 7 Campaigns 36
Message from THE CHAIR, ADVISORY BOARD 8 Leave Me Alone, Tiger Temple Takedown 38
Members of the ADVISORY Board 9 Giant Refugees, Save the Great Indian Bustard 39
A Brief History of Sanctuary 12 Save Dibang Valley 40
Outreach and Communication 14 Stop Slaughtering Wildlife 42
Sanctuary’s Publications 16 Events 44
The Sanctuary Nature Foundation 17 Sanctuary Debates 46
The 11th World Wilderness Congress 18 Sanctuary Wildlife Photography Awards 48
The Pandemic and its Impact 20 Sanctuary Wildlife Service Awards 52
Projects 22 Behind the Scenes 56
Kids for Tigers 24 The Sanctuary Team 58
Mud on Boots 28 Donors & Supporters 60
COCOON Conservancies 32
Pratik Chorghe
4 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 5
Bittu Sahgal
Founder,
Sanctuary Nature Foundation
Editor of Sanctuary Asia, India’s first and largest circulating
wildlife and ecology magazine (1981) and Founder-Editor of
Sanctuary Cub (1984).
A YEAR UNLIKE ANY OTHER
We are passing through strange times. But the biosphere is self-repairing and, more than ever before,
Sanctuary recognises the wisdom in communicating and cooperating as a survival strategy. The children
Sanctuary influenced decades ago are now in drivers’ seats, poised to lead us to safe harbour. Sanctuary
Asia and Sanctuary Cub, were never ‘just magazines’ – since their birth in the 1980s, they have evolved into
strong movements that have led to the creation of diverse, yet umbilically connected projects.
Kids for Tigers now reaches over a million children through one of India’s most successful school
outreach programmes focused on biodiversity and climate change. Our Mud on Boots project provides
customised grants to gritty individuals working on the ground in virtually every biogeographic zone on the
Indian subcontinent. Sanctuary’s COCOON Conservancies concept has been tested over the past five
years at Gothangaon in Maharashtra and is currently poised to be scaled as a community-driven, rewilding
initiative across the country. Our key? Ensure that diverse local communities are the primary beneficiaries
of biodiversity restoration so they are the agents of positive change.
To communicate the rationale for our mission, Sanctuary organises three annual events to spotlight
conversation actions executed by individuals who are working to improve the lives of locals and our
wildernesses. The Sanctuary Debates, styled after the iconic Oxford Union-style Debates, engage policy
makers and implementers into the tri-junction of biodiversity, economics and climate change. The Sanctuary
Wildlife Photography Awards coalesces multitudes of people behind the objective of turning wildlife
photography into an effective conservation tool. The Sanctuary Wildlife Service Awards were instituted
over two decades ago to honour India’s wildlife defenders who perform various roles as activists, lawyers,
researchers, citizen scientists, educators, entrepreneurs and more.
The Sanctuary Nature Foundation holds on to the ethics and ideals drilled into us by the likes of
Dr. Sálim Ali, R.E. Hawkins, Humayun Abdulali, M. Krishnan, Kailash Sankhala, Dharmakumarsinhji and
scores of others who, in the early 1980s, helped Sanctuary magazine take its first tentative steps towards
wildlife conservation horizons of the kind never quite tried before in India. And now, 40 years later, as
we continue to weave nature journalism, action and conservation policy into the Indian environmental
conservation movement, we invite you to be part of Sanctuary’s mission to save natural India.
“ The Sanctuary Nature Foundation holds on to the ethics and ideals drilled into
us by the likes of Dr. Sálim Ali, R.E. Hawkins, Humayun Abdulali, M. Krishnan,
Kailash Sankhala, Dharmakumarsinhji and scores of others who helped Sanctuary
magazine take its first tentative steps towards wildlife conservation horizons of the
”
Baiju Patil
kind never quite tried before in India.
6 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 7
Paul Abraham
Advisory Board Members
President, Hinduja Foundation The Board Members of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation form the solid edifice upon which all
Paul Abraham was Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IndusInd
Bank and has over 35 years of banking experience. President of the
our communication, outreach, research advocacy, and project work thrive. They help connect the
Hinduja Foundation and Chair, Advisory Board of the Sanctuary organisation’s purpose to strategy.
“
Nature Foundation, he also founded the museum initiative Sarmaya
Arts Foundation. Lord Nicholas Stern
Economist, Academic, Author
Sanctuary is not only
and Climate Expert inspiring us to appreciate the
I.G. Patel Professor of Economics
and Government, London world’s natural wonders, it is
IN NATURE WE TRUST School of Economics; former
President, British Academy; Chair,
also demonstrating that nature
Today, more than at any time, we have been shown up as a global collective. Nature Grantham Research Institute on and natural capital are central to
”
has shown us that our consumptive lifestyle is unsustainable. Our belief that we can be Climate Change; and former
irresponsible masters of the planet is beyond hollow. It is arrogant and for an apparently Chief Economist, World Bank. our well-being and our survival.
intelligent species, an amazingly stupid misconception. It also shows us as selfish and at
a very fundamental level, so preoccupied with ourselves that even our children and their
“
future can be put at stake for our greed today.
Sanctuary believes that we cannot feel despondent; that if we ground ourselves in Dia Mirza
Actor, Producer, UN
Working with Sanctuary
the optimism that with education and awareness of the intrinsic connection of the well-
being of our planet to our very own, we can repair the damage we’ve made. We thus
Environment Goodwill has added value and meaning
Ambassador and UN Secretary-
firmly place ourselves at the forefront of advocacy with a sense of urgency. We believe General Advocate for SDGs to my life. It has improved my
that nature represents soft power as also an incredibly effective and advanced economic
infrastructure that is well worth protecting. We believe the future ranking of countries will
A champion of nature, she
spearheads the movement to reignite awareness and helped me engage
depend on the stock of natural resources and their management. The only way forward and strengthen the connection with society and governments for
”
between man and nature and
is to ensure that the basic needs of our citizenry are safeguarded. There is no economic
model that says monetary wealth ranks above water security, clean air and good health.
contribute to positive social change. environmental action.
Sanctuary will continue playing its part in highlighting these key perspectives and
“
being the platform, which showcases solutions that address the key challenges that we
face. I am glad I am part of Sanctuary and its important mission and purpose that seek
to address this crisis and reverse the damage through proactive and urgent action. We
Nikkhil Advani
Cofounder, Emmay
My association with Bittu
need the voice of this world to reach the powers that be and sentinels like Sanctuary Entertainment Sahgal and his relentless
An award-winning film producer,
can show the way through an impartial but committed advocacy. If we achieve even the
smallest positive outcome in protecting our planet and reversing the damage that we
director, and screenwriter, he pursuit of a better, safer, more
inflict upon it, then we have played our part.
worked on India’s first stereoscopic
animation film ‘Delhi Safari’ sustainable future for all has led
(2006), about habitat loss in the to me being part of Sanctuary.
”
Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It
won a National Award. Our work really has just begun.
Tara Lal
Founder, Wild Blue Foundation
“ Sanctuary continues to inspire
“
Tara Lal came to conservation by showing the way to a just and
science later in her career after
Sanctuary believes that with awareness of the intrinsic years in art, architecture and sustainable future. Community
connection of the well being of our planet to our very own, design. She received her Masters
of Science in conservation from collaborations such as COCOON
”
we can repair the damage we’ve made. Imperial College, London, where Conservancies have the potential
”
she is currently working on
her Ph.D. to make real change in India.
8 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 9
Advisory Board Members Advisory Board Members
Kartik N. Shukul
Advocate, Bombay High Court
and Supreme Court of India
A commercial and constitutional
“ From the Mud on Boots Project
to the Leave Me Alone campaign,
lawyer by profession, he also each initiative by Sanctuary has
dedicates his time to conservation
litigation. He is part of a State a nuanced approach to tackling
Level Committee that deals with
human-animal conflict and acts
some of the most pressing
”
as a Special Public Prosecutor. conservation issues of our time.
Miel Sahgal
Writer, Editor
Miel has held various positions
at Sanctuary over the past two
“ It’s been inspiring to witness
Sanctuary’s evolution from a lone
decades, including Managing voice for the wilderness into an
Editor of Sanctuary Asia. She
was part of the founding team of empowered foundation. Sanctuary
Kids for Tigers, and spearheaded
Sanctuary events, nature walks
remains steadfast in its mission to
”
and workshops. safeguard our collective future.
Norma Alvares
Advocate, Bombay High Court
An activist and campaigner on
social and environmental issues
“ I am always impressed with
the extent of preparatory work
that goes into each project by
of public concern, especially
in her home state of Goa. In
2002, she was awarded the
Sanctuary and the professionalism
Padma Shri for her work towards with which it is assessed and
”
the protection of animals and
the environment. evaluated from time to time.
Indru Advani
Executive Member, Advisory Board,
Sanctuary Nature Foundation
A Mechanical Engineer and
“ I have been inspired by
the passion exhibited by Bittu
Management Graduate, he and the Sanctuary team in
has 46 years of Project, Marketing
and Corporate experience. their commitment to wildlife
He retired as President and CEO
conservation. I’m honoured to play
Purushottam Panda
of BAPL, an automotive
”
components company. a small role in this journey.
10 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 11
SANCTUARY 40 YEARS OF IMPACT 1981-2021
Bittu Sahgal, inspired Sanctuary Cub Sanctuary Films Sanctuary Features Sanctuary Photo Sanctuary published Kids for Tigers, an The first Sanctuary
by the late Fateh Singh published in January/ produced two wildlife Syndication began Library was set The Ecologist Asia, an educational outreach Wildlife Service and
Rathore, published the February 1984. It conservation serials to reach a wider up as a repository Indian edition of the U.K. programme for schools Photography awards
first issue of Sanctuary aimed to inculcate for Doordarshan, audience through the of natural history journal The Ecologist, was launched, and the was held at NCPA,
Asia in October. an appreciation for India’s national syndication of articles images. It now has a founded by Edward world’s largest ‘Save Mumbai (more on
India’s first wildlife nature among children television network. on nature, wildlife, fully computerised and Goldsmith. The Ecologist the Tiger’ scroll, as page 48).
conservation magazine and encourage them travel, health and expansive database of Asia, whose co-editors certified by the Limca
began as a quarterly to protect our wild conservation from wildlife photographs. were Bittu Sahgal, Book of Records, was
and later became a heritage (more on renowned writers such Vandana Shiva, Claude created (more on
bi-monthly in January/ page 16). as Ruskin Bond, Vijaya Alvares and Smitu page 24).
February 1990 (more Venkat, Dilip D’Souza Kothari, was dedicated
on page 16). Pritish Nandy, Ranjit to disseminating
Lal, and more. environmental and
developmental news
relevant to the region. It
ran until 2003.
1981 1984 Late 1980s 1989 1990 1993 1999 2000
First coffee-table The Sanctuary Community Owned The first Sanctuary The Mud on Boots A new website, with a Sanctuary partnered With the world having
book The Kaziranga Nature Foundation Community Operated Debate was held in Project, a booster user-friendly layout, with WILD Foundation slowed down for
Inheritance launched. was established as a Nature (COCOON) Royal Opera House, programme that digital magazine and and the Government of a year, Sanctuary
Since then Sanctuary section 8 Foundation Conservancies, a Mumbai. Hosted supports ‘mud-on-the- more features to connect Rajasthan to organise has embraced a
has published over (more on page 17). critical rewilding annually, these debates boots’ conservationists with our followers WILD11 in Jaipur, but new normal and
11 coffee-table books initiative, launched have brought stalwarts in India over a two- launched in October. this was cancelled transitioned to
and nine guidebooks with the first project of the conservation year period, launched due to the COVID-19 an entirely digital
on varying landscapes in Gothangaon village, world and students (more on page 28). pandemic (more on platform, with our
(more on page 16). Maharashtra (more on together in healthy page 18). publications and
page 32). discussion on wildlife events going online
policy (more on since April 2020
page 46). (more on page 20).
2005
12 2015 2015 2017 Impact Report 2020-2021 2017
Impact Report 2020-2021 2019 2020 2021 & Beyond 13
OUTREACH & COMMUNICATION
Mohammed Aman Salia
14 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 15
PUBLICATIONS SANCTUARY NATURE FOUNDATION
“Sanctuary makes an insightful
reading on issues relating to
wildlife and nature conservation.
Have retained copies of the
Sanctuary Asia & Sanctuary
Cub magazines
The Sanctuary Nature Foundation’s
flagship magazine Sanctuary Asia has
secure this wild heritage. Toward this, we
began producing large-format coffee table
books and guidebooks on various Protected
Areas around the country. Sanctuary’s core
competence has always been its nature and
Building on the magazine’s wide
network of conservationists, naturalists,
photographers, writers and editors, the
Sanctuary Nature Foundation was born
in 2015.
expeditions, rallies, climate change
workshops, talks, debates and more.
“
Working at the tri-junction of biodiversity,
economics and climate change, the
foundation offers thought leadership by
At the heart of our purpose lies
the conviction that the economies
of nations sit on a foundation of
stable ecosystems. Sanctuary
magazine for the last 20 years in been in continuous publication since wildlife writing, editing and photography. A Section 8 Foundation under uniting disparate but credible groups envisions a world with abundant
”
1981 and remains India’s leading and Our stringent production quality is an the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the through conflict-resolution and bridge-
bound volumes in my library. best-loved magazine in its genre. Upon biodiversity, a sustainable
industry standard and our campaigns foundation’s reach spans policy, advocacy, building initiatives.
climate and an equitable future
”
receiving overwhelming support, an edition
– Bijay Kumar Sharma, IPS to protect wildlife bring on board both science, on-ground support for field Today, the Sanctuary Nature Foundation
for younger readers, Sanctuary Cub, was government and non-government workers and environmental education. network includes organisations and for one and all.
launched in 1984 and has been inspiring supporters of wildlife conservation. In 2005, The mission was, and continues to be, to individuals across the globe with whom we
generations of young naturalists ever since. we produced our first coffee-table book produce well-researched communications work collaboratively on policy, advocacy
Though the COVID-19 pandemic halted The Kaziranga Inheritance to stimulate pride built upon a bedrock of good science, to and action. With the express vision to
the release of the print edition in April about the heritage of this rhino, elephant conceptualise and implement conservation shape a world with abundant biodiversity, a
2020, the magazine is still released as a and tiger habitat in Assam, and to make projects while taking a holistic view on sustainable climate and an equitable future
digital edition. a strong visual statement and spotlight human, wildlife and climate issues. for all, the Sanctuary Nature Foundation
Sanctuary’s six issues in 2020 offered its defenders. Following the tremendous Apart from the Sanctuary Asia print and will carry forth the legacy of Sanctuary Asia
readers insight into some of the most success of the book, Sanctuary followed this digital editions, book publishing and the to promote, support and consolidate the
pressing conservation issues, from the with the Inheritance series, Wild series production of responsible wildlife tourism wildlife and nature conservation movement
threats to the artisanal fishing livelihoods and guidebooks. guidebooks, we organise nature festivals, in India.
of the Koli community, the uncertain future
of the globally trafficked pangolin, various
landscapes in the Himalaya destabilised Sanctuary Publications
by climate change and the little-known
link between animal health, human health Inheritance Series
and the environment to the dangers Kaziranga 2005
of expanding a commercial port at a Revised edition 2007
biodiverse lagoon and more. Bharatpur 2006
Sanctuary Cub actively encourages its Corbett 2007
readership to contribute to the publication, Sundarbans 2007
creating a community of children who are Bandhavgarh 2008
passionate about learning and sharing Periyar 2008
their explorations of Earth. Children send in Tadoba 2015
articles, book reviews, art, updates on their Guide Books
activities, and letters that are published
with due credit. Corbett 2009
Read more about our magazines on Pench 2013
our website. Kaziranga 2014
Achanakmar 2017
Coffee table Books Barnawapara 2017
Sanctuary’s key goal has always been Bhoramdeo 2017
to galvanise public attention to the amazing Kanger 2017
natural fecundity our country has been Tamor-Pingla-Samarkot- 2017
blessed with and to highlight our need to Guru Ghasidas
Nameri 2018
Other Titles Published by Sanctuary Asia:
Forever Stripes – A Guide to Saving Tigers and Studded by plateaux that offer the
WILD Series
India Naturally. landscape its own unique character, the
Maharashtra 2012
scenic 914 sq. km. Achanakmar forms
The Inheritance Series: The Sanctuary Guide to part of the much larger Achanakmar-
Achanakmar
Kaziranga, Bharatpur, Sundarbans, Corbett, Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, which
Bandhavgarh, Periyar and Tadoba. in turn is a part of the large contiguous
forest tract that forms the central Indian
Wild Series:
Wild Maharashtra
Wild Chhattisgarh
tiger heartland. This Chhattisgarh forest is
alive with sal, bamboo and mixed forest
species that include bija, saja, haldu, teak,
tinsa, dhawara, lendia and khamar, plus an
Revised edition 2015
Chhattisgarh 2017
incredible 600 species of medicinal plants
Guidebooks: that have been documented to date. Home
Kaziranga, Pench, Corbett, Bhoramdeo, to a diversity of floral and faunal species,
Barnawapara, Kanger Valley and visitors could spend days exploring this
sanctuary to discover its biodiverse riches.
Tamor-Pingla – Semarsot – Badalkhol
Madhya Pradesh 2018
This guidebook will help all those
– Guru Ghasidas. interested in exploring the exquisite Indian
state of Chhattisgarh, including natural
Forthcoming Titles: wonderlands such as Achanakmar. It
provides a glimpse into this little discovered
The Inheritance Series: sanctuary, its history, geography and the
Ranthambhore wild denizens residing within. Readers will
Other Coffee Table Books and Publications
and Kanha. also learn of key conservation issues that
will help them to appreciate this biodiverse
Protected Area better. The insider tips and
For more information, please visit: checklists will enhance the experience
www.sanctuaryasia.com of visitors by introducing them to some
www.facebook.com/sanctuaryasiapage of the little lifeforms that this surprisingly
Forever Stripes 2007
www.twitter.com/SanctuaryAsia informative guidebook expertly summarises.
Easy to pack and carry, this booklet will
www.instagram.com/sanctuaryasia greatly enhance the experience of travelling
through this gem of a forest in Chhattisgarh.
To obtain copies, ACHANAKMAR TIGER RESERVE/ACHANAKMAR-AMARKANTAK
India Naturally 2008
BIOSPHERE RESERVE Note: The information contained in this
Email: admin@sanctuaryasia.com Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Field Director, guidebook was correct at the time of going
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Bilaspur – 495006. to press in October 2017. Visitors are
Tel.: +91 77522 60070 advised to double-check information just
Email: ccf-achanakmartr.cg@gov.in
Sankhala’s India 2008
prior to making a trip so that they are aware
ACHANAKMAR TIGER RESERVE of changes in rules and access.
Deputy Director, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve,
Lormi, Mungeli – 495334. Front cover:
Tel.: +91 77522 60070 Vijay Baghel (Gaur)
Lest We Forget
Email: ddatr_bsp@rediffmail.com
FLORA AND FAUNA Back cover:
ACHANAKMAR-AMARKANTAK BIOSPHERE RESERVE O. N. Singh (Golden orb web spider)
Director, Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve,
Koni, Bilaspur – 495009.
BIRDING
PLAN B 2008
JAYDEEP SINGH YADAV
Cell No.: +91 94255 93430
Email: dir_14aabrkoni@yahoo.com HISTORY
ACCOMMODATION
MAP
CONSERVATION
Mobilising to Save Civilsation
(English & Hindi)
VISHAL TREHAN
Hanuman langur
THE WILDLIFE GUIDE THAT TAKES YOU
TO ROADS LESS TRAVELLED.
16 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 17
11th World Wilderness Congress Sanctuary and the WILD
Yashpal Rathore – Editors Choice : Sanctury Wildlife Photography Awards 2020
Foundation encourage their
“
supporters to engage with the
WILD11 was to unify the For over four decades, Sanctuary would have included youth, women, ideas and outcomes to come
has been working purposefully along with traditional communities, business heads, out of the process leading up to
dual emergencies of climate
organisations such as the WILD Foundation as well as policy makers and leading
breakdown and mass extinction – focused on wilderness, wildlife and WILD11, especially the Survival
politicians had to be indefinitely postponed
with a single solution: protecting people – and Forest Departments, due to COVID-19. Revolution (see box) and stay
wild nature. It was planned to conservation leaders and grassroots However, our joint mission remains tuned for news about next
activists, pooling our respective strengths,
challenge world leaders with the stronger than ever – to protect the steps, new plans, and upcoming
to defend and safeguard our planet. In
question: How much nature do essential natural infrastructures that gatherings to build dynamic
”
2020, the WILD Foundation partnered
we need to survive? with Sanctuary to convene the 11th World produce our healthy water, air and soil. and powerful communities and
Wilderness Congress (WILD11) between Only by coming together as a movement…
– Vance G. Martin, President, coalitions for the protection of
March 19 and 26 at Jaipur, Rajasthan, not a single organisation… can we hope
WILD Foundation India. It was expected to attract 1,500 to find a path out of the maze of self- our wild and healthy Earth.
to 2,000 delegates from India and inflicted damage of climate chaos and
overseas. This global gathering which species extinction.
courtesy: Wild FOUNDATION
History of the World Wilderness Congress
The World Wilderness Congress (WWC) was born in Africa, the result of the
work of two men… conservationist Ian Player and traditional Zulu chief, Magqubu
Ntombela. They created the first multi-racial environmental experience programme
in South Africa, which ultimately led to the 1st World Wilderness Congress in
Johannesburg in 1977. Vance G. Martin, President, WILD Foundation, says, the
principles of the WWC are simple and dedicated to:
l collaboration across cultures, races, nations and professions
l continual search for new, necessary, practical, and positive solutions that protect
wild nature and meet the needs of people The Survival Revolution
l the importance of culture – language, art, community and communications
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. As Earth rapidly approaches global tipping points beyond which we
– combined with the very best policy, science and business to create the most
are without sufficient nature to solve the climate and extinction emergency, we still have time to set aside HALF the planet’s land and
effective solutions.
seas and avert ecological collapse. The Survival Revolution is a common-sense plan to protect wilderness on a global scale. Setting
It is the longest running, international, public conservation congress and since the
aside 50 per cent of Earth for nature is the most efficient way to fight climate change. Join the #SurvivalRevolution. Be an ambassador
ABOVE RIGHT The World Wilderness Congress very beginning has been working to protect species, wildernesses, and the well being
and help make history in 2020 for humanity and the wild planet upon which we depend. The Wild Foundation is recruiting ambassadors
is the longest-running environmental forum to build of people and communities, across our planet. This collective is organised and run
and influencers for the Survival Revolution and you can sign up here. Details of how you can help influence the coming United Nations
awareness and support for wild habitats and strengthen by civil society and is focussed on providing solutions and generating practical policy
conservation policy. The last congress, WILD10, Convention on Biological Diversity will also be available soon.
solutions to the current environmental issues.
convened in Salamanca, Spain, in October 2013.
18 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 19EMBRACING A NEW NORMAL Seek Sanctuary
For Earth Day 2020 (April 22, 2020),
and Health’, Jairam Ramesh on ‘The
Ecological Rise and Fall of India’ –
“ “
Sanctuary partnered with BookMyShow and more.
to release an online limited series ‘Seek A few months later, Sanctuary released
Heartbreaking images of wild In April 2021, the world was forced Social Media Sanctuary - Reboot the Planet’ that Season 2 of Seek Sanctuary, that brought Indeed “the time for platitudes
into lockdown mode. Our Mumbai office The pandemic also saw Sanctuary legendary and veteran conservationists and conferences has long
species knee-deep in a mess of was closed down, our publishing offices
screened on Facebook and YouTube to a
strengthening its digital presence. The team global audience. Several stalwarts of the such as Dr. M.K. Ranjitsinh, Y. Jhala and
our making. Glad to have been shut. And our team was relegated to the gone”. Such well-made points to
worked to better understand the kind of conservation world were invited to speak environmental journalist and author Prerna
part of an effort to bring this think about consumption,
”
safety of their homes. Despite a key event messaging that would move people and Singh Bindra (below), together to share the
on a variety of topics – Vandana Shiva on
issue to light. (see page 18) organised by Sanctuary interest them online. nature and the way forward.
”
‘The Link between Agriculture, Ecology challenges of their work.
being cancelled and the challenges of While there is so much more to do, Thanks, Sanctuary.
– Vaishnav Tirth, Mumbai working remotely from across different Sanctuary’s networks on Instagram, Twitter,
states, Sanctuary continued to publish the Facebook, WhatsApp and email reach out
magazine digitally every month on the dot, to over half a million citizens across the – Geeta Rao, Former Beauty
and took several steps further to engage world. A look at our social media numbers Director, Vogue India
with our audiences. From online webinars (as of April 12, 2021):
to launching a brand new newsletter, here’s
a look at all the ways Sanctuary embraced @sanctuaryasiapage
the power of digital communication. @sanctuaryasiagroup
264K followers
Newsletter
Sanctuary launched its monthly @SanctuaryAsia
View this email in your browser
newsletter in September 2020, reaching 29.4K followers
just under 10,000 recipients, with updates
on our projects, publications, campaigns, @sanctuaryasia
events and more. A bi-monthly newsletter 113K followers
for children was also launched in the same
month, reaching our country-wide network Sanctuary Nature Foundation
of Kids for Tigers students and subscribers. 3.53K subscribers
Biodiversity FROM Lockdown Diaries
With wildernesses and national parks
YOUR Window closed during lockdown, Sanctuary spoke
#InOurFilth One positive effect of the lockdown
with conservationists from different areas of
that couldn’t be overlooked by citizens
Starting October 2020, Sanctuary curated an online series #InOurFilth to inspire work (researchers, writers, photographers
was the quiet solitude it provided our wild and filmmakers) about how the lockdown
followers to lobby for better waste management systems in their villages/cities/towns.
denizens that curiously ventured closer to had impacted their work and how they are
Register to attend the event!
Hard-hitting images of wildlife forced to navigate human trash in their wild habitats
garnered the attention of several thousand people across the world. The series was our residences. Sanctuary asked supporters advocating for wildlife and the environment
covered in Scroll.in, Outlook India, The Wire, The Week amongst other publications. and readers to send us the best images of while staying indoors. The Lockdown Diaries
biodiversity they could document from their was born, with wildlife filmmaker and founder
The image seen below was part of the series. homes. Over 300 people sent in 2,000+ of Pangea Films Eshika Fyzee featured on the
Single-use Sins images. The most striking of these were first episode. Later, a children’s edition was
MOHAN G.
In Valparai, Tamil Nadu, handpicked for Sanctuary Asia June 2020. also inaugurated (see page 27).
a lion-tailed macaque rips
into a discarded single-use
Sanjay Shukla
COMMENTARY
packet filled with curry. This
incredible and distinctive
species is endemic to small
pockets of India’s Western
Ghats. They are rainforest
dwellers whose primary diet
is, or should be, fruit! But
with forests being degraded
and fragmented, roads
COVER STORY and townships cutting
through their habitat, and
garbage piling up, they’re
being forced to change
their habits. Researchers have observed that these macaques are spending more time
on the ground and are having more negative interactions with humans – including
raiding homes and foraging for human foods. Single-use plastics are cheap and
convenient, but they’re terrible for our planet and our fellow Earth inhabitants. Poor LEFT A juvenile Bengal monitor lizard photographed
Sanctuary launched a monthly newsletter in September waste management coupled with ignorant tourists who feed the lion-tailed macaques, at a fifth-floor apartment in Badlapur, Maharashtra.
2020 reaching out to an audience of about 10,000 make for sorry sights such as this. This image was one of the entries to the ‘Biodiversity
recipients, and counting.
PHOTOFEATURE
From Your Window’ contest.
20 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 21
IN THE FIELDPROJECTS
Shivaram Subramaniam
22 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 23Project: KIDS FOR TIGERS
sanctuary nature foundation
1999-Present
In 2000, Sanctuary launched Kids
for Tigers, an environmental education
programme that snowballed into one of
India’s largest mass movements to save the
tiger, inspiring millions of children in schools
side of things; that nature is resilient and self-
repairing, that the tiger will spring back to safe
numbers if we offer it seclusion and protection.
We highlight the connection between
biodiversity, forests and water, and explain how
“ I have worked with Kids for
Tigers for 21 years, and have
represented the National Tiger
Conservation Camp, along with
across India. The core purpose of Kids for forests help us fight climate change. All this our Student Ambassador three
Tigers is to introduce children to nature in a is through carefully created fun activities and
gentle and reassuring manner. lessons. We are determined not only to leave
times – 2011, 2013, and 2017.
Central to our mission has been the need a better planet for our children, but also better I was awarded the Sanctuary
to communicate the rationale for conservation children for our planet! Green Teacher Award in the
to children, using the tiger as a metaphor for To read more about the programme and year 2017, which encouraged
”
all of nature. Despite all the problems that grip for details on how to become a part of it, head
wild India, we communicate to kids the brighter to our website.
me to do more for my students.
– K.S. Smitha, M.P. Birla
MAP NOT TO SCALE. BORDERS NEITHER AUTHENTICATED NOR VERIFIED.
Foundation Higher Secondary
School, Kolkata
sanctuary nature foundation
21
years since
38
cities
800 1 million+
schools children and
inception across India reached teachers impacted
24 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 25Highlights from 2020 and 2021
sanctuary nature foundation
Kids for Tigers Activities
“
There are no dull moments with
Kids for Tigers! Kids made a lot of
positive noise through tree planting
Due to the pandemic, the regular Global Tiger Day: Climate change is a multilateral
sequence of the Kids for Tigers programme
drives, rallies, fests and more. Our was disrupted. However, our team adapted Poster-making Competition problem, and it is vital that we
coordinators help our Kids for to the new virtual normal and connected with 500+ students from classes II to VIII strike a chord with the younger
Tigers students and point teachers students and teachers in innovative ways. participated enthusiastically, creating generation, now more than
from across India’s cities organise In addition to these, our coordinators have imaginative posters to raise awareness about
exciting activities that help discover taken children on nature trails wherever it is the tiger. Art by the finalists was published in ever. The Kids for Tigers team
secrets about our exceptional natural safe to do so. Sanctuary Cub September 2020. exemplifies this by adding a
treasures, including the one that unique perspective and expertise
symbolises it all, our very own tiger! Lockdown Diaries: Know Your Birds with to the elephantine crises our
”
Here’s what happens when a school joins the An Ongoing Series Saurabh Sawant planet is experiencing.
Kids for Tigers network. Kids for Tigers asked children to keep us As children began spending much of
Stage 1: Registration of schools and updated on their activities during their time their time indoors during the COVID-19
introduction to the programme. indoors. Children sent us photos of new pandemic, Sanctuary collaborated with – Preeti Takle, Mumbai
Stage 2: Teachers’ Training Workshop hobbies, biodiversity spotted in their balconies Saurabh Sawant to put together a video Coordinator, Kids for Tigers
for educators. and backyards, new skills they’ve picked up lecture featuring the most common birds
Stage 3: Audio-Visual shows linking and personal projects they’re proud of! that can be spotted from their windows.
tigers with climate change. “I have had a lot of fun with local wildlife
during lockdown. In the early days, I looked Understanding Bats with
sanctuary nature foundation
Stage 4: Nature walks – especially to
after a baby bulbul that had been abandoned.
gauge students with an affinity and
He grabbed my finger and refused to let go
Rohit Chakravarty
commitment to the COVID-19 landed a blow on millions of
so I decided to name him Grip. I fed him using
environmental imperative. people in many ways, affecting public health,
a syringe. After a week, I noticed an adult
Stage 5: Petition drives, tiger parades economy, education and other sectors.
bulbul looking at him from outside my window.
and rallies, creative art competitions, Another victim that faced the brunt of the
I opened it and set him free! I also took care
fests, Wildlife Week events, and impact was the bat. Misguided media reports
of two baby garden lizards for two and a
information-rich notice boards and caused much of the public to consider bats
half weeks.”
school projects. the culprit, rather than our own broken
– Zreh Adjania, 12, Mumbai
Stage 6: National Camp. relationship with nature. Chiropterologist and
Kids for Tigers alumnus Rohit Chakravarty
Stage 7: Conclusion, feedback, gifts/ Earth Day: Virtual Lessons broke myths and enlightened our children
certificates to teachers and/or For over 50 consecutive years, Earth
principals, trophies to schools and a about the ecosystem services offered by bats.
Day has been celebrated to celebrate our
road map for the next year. love for Earth and remind humanity of the
pressing need to repair our relationship with
Quiz Time
Kids for Tigers created fun, interesting
the planet. Kids for Tigers organised several
quizzes on several topics, including
enlightening online sessions for Earth Day
International Biodiversity Day, Earth Day,
2020, including the following by:
mangroves, the wild representatives of Indian
l Jyoti Sharma (Sanctuary Young
states (official state animals and birds), World
Naturalist Award 2017) on the
Turtle Day, World Migratory Bird Day, Global
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
Tiger Day, World Rainforest Day, World
l Nikit Surve on human-leopard conflict
sanctuary nature foundation
Environment Day and types of Indian trees.
in Mumbai
l Preeti Takle on urban farming for
the amateur
Sanctuary Educationists
l Rituraj Phukan on climate change and the Environmental
water crisis
l Vaishali Rawat on finding biodiversity in
Leadership Webinar
Kids for Tigers’ annual workshop for
our own backyards
teachers went virtual on October 17, 2020,
l Neha Sinha on conservation for beginners
TOP Kids for Tigers coordinator Govardhan Meena in association with The Shri Ram School.
and green careers
leading students from the Government Middle School, Over 500 teachers attended the webinar.
Part of the discussion focussed on the use
Kutalpura, Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan, on
a safari.
World Environment Day: of creative methods to sensitise the students
Contemplations and parents to conservation issues that
MIDDLE In 2001, then Prime Minister Atal Behari A series of six short videos was plague India. Dr. Parvish Pandya, Bittu
Vajpayee wrote a letter of congratulations to the Kids for compiled to address the connection Sahgal, Madhu Bhatnagar, Preeti Takle and
Tigers children, stating, “The tiger is an indicator of
between humans and biodiversity, featuring Amandeep Kaur led this workshop.
the environmental health of India.”
Debadityo Sinha, Nehara Pandey, Preeti
BOTTOM Kids dressed up as tigers perform a street Takle, K.S. Smitha and Dr. Parvish Pandya. Nature Trails
theatre piece at a Tiger Fest in Mumbai. Street theatre An attractive poster on the ‘ABCs of While it was not possible to conduct Twelve-year-old Zreh Adjania, Mumbai with two
as a form of communication is deeply rooted in sustainable living’ was also shared with nature trails in all our cities, some of our juvenile garden lizards in his home. This was one of the
Indian tradition. our audience. coordinators guided small trails. entries for the ‘Lockdown Diaries: Children’s edition.’
26 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 27Project: MUD ON BOOTS
Faraway Originals
(2017-Present)
The Mud on Boots Project is Sanctuary’s
unique booster programme designed to
recognise and empower grassroots level
wildlife conservationists in India.
The project focuses on those individuals
Since its inception in 2017, the
Mud on Boots project has supported over
two dozen grassroots conservationists
from 16 different states in India. The
project has also extended support to
“ “This is amazing work, and I am
very proud of your efforts
to keep this going, to continue to
support grassroot workers
who are community leaders but whose small grassroots organisations and across a diversity of habitats
”
contributions are overlooked because citizens groups that are campaigning for
of a lack of affiliations, educational environmental protection.
even in these difficult times.
qualifications, mainstream opportunities Owing to the pandemic, 2020 has – Prerna Singh Bindra,
and language barriers. Over a two-year been an exceedingly difficult year. Despite
period, such individuals receive a monetary this, the Mud on Boots Project has
award-winning environmental
grant and strategic support from the continued to grow. journalist and author
Sanctuary Nature Foundation team. Such To read about the work of all our
support can include communications, field present and alumni Project Leaders, go to
trips, expert input, publicity and more! our website.
Between August and November 2020, the Sanctuary team pored over
nominations for the Mud on Boots Project, and announced six new Project Leaders
for 2021-2022 in the December 2020 issue of Sanctuary Asia!
Where are our
Phuntsog Dolma
Vishal Ahuja
Project Leaders?
Shiv Kumar
Radheshyam Pemani Bishnoi Takam Nabam Anoko Mega
Sunil Harsana
Dechin P.
Sevaram Parihar Rajeev Chauhan Pemba R.
Amir Chhetri Manoj Gogoi Tsuseki Y. ,
Uras Kha
Limthure Y. &
Alemba Y.
Mud on Boots won the Gold Award for
Best Wildlife Project 2020 Joydeb Pradhan
Zakhuma Don
Sajal Madhu
MAP NOT TO SCALE. BORDERS NEITHER AUTHENTICATED NOR VERIFIED.
The Flying Squad,
On January 17, 2020, Sanctuary Seoni
Nature Foundation’s Mud on Boots
Project won the Gold Award for
Best Wildlife Project at the Outlook
Responsible Tourism Awards held
in New Delhi. The jury included
conservationists Belinda Wright,
Prerna Singh Bindra and Ranjit Lal. Malhar Indulkar
Cara Tejpal, Director of the Mud on
Boots Project, accepted the award Present Project Leaders
Ashwin Gurusrikar
on behalf of the Project Leaders. At
4 16 21
Bhuvaneshwara H.C. Project Leaders 2021
the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, Marina Juliet Alumni Project Leaders
we recognise that conservation is
driven by communities, and only S. Chandrasekaran
by recognising and empowering
years since states project leaders across India* community champions can we hope
to protect the biodiversity that supports
inception of India * And an additional 2 small grantees
us all.
5 5
28 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 29“
Priyanka Das
“I appreciate Sanctuary Nature Foundation’s efforts to enable Highlights from 2020 Challenges
l During the lockdown, Project The Mud on Boots Project runs on Collaborations are essential
grassroots conservation initiatives. The work of each Mud Coordinator Maitreyee Mujumdar public donations. It has been exceptionally to the Mud on Boots Project.
on Boots Project Leader is inspiring. We will continue to organised a series of webinars for hard to raise funds this year because of the The team is keen to forge new
guide and mentor Amir Chhetri’s work as he is a valuable Project Leaders. The lectures covered ongoing pandemic. The resulting lockdown collaborations and partnerships
member of our core research and conservation team at The diverse topics related to conservation, also put a halt to fieldwork for several
and guest speakers included Praveen months of the year. with individuals and
Amir Chhetri Coexistence Project.” organisations who have the same
”
Bhargav, Umesh Srinivasan, Neha
– Aritra Kshettry, Team Leader, The Coexistence Project Sinha, Parvish Pandya and Samyukta Looking Ahead vision as Sanctuary.
Chemudupati amongst many others. The Sanctuary team is looking forward
l Sanctuary collaborated with to working with the new batch of Project
conservation enterprise Tech for Wildlife Leaders and their mentors on community
to develop maps for Project Leader conservation and rewilding projects in five
Malhar Indulkar’s work site different states of India.
in Maharashtra. A crowdfunding campaign has been
l In Himachal Pradesh, Project Leader planned for April 2021 to cover the
Shiv Kumar documented incredible deficit in fundraising for the new batch.
wildlife sightings, including some The pending disbursal of funds to two
firsts! The Himalayan goral and grassroots organisations working for
Yellowhammer bird were reported by wildlife rescue and rehabilitation will be
him from Lahaul for the first time. completed in 2021.
l Alumni Project Leader Anoko Mega
A virtual Mud on Boots leaders,
from Arunachal Pradesh made a strong
partners and alumni meet has been slated
representation to India’s Forest Advisory
for June 2021. This will be an opportunity
Committee against the proposed
for our grassroots conservationists to
Etalin Hydro Project in Dibang Valley.
learn about one another’s works, interact
The Sanctuary team has also worked
extensively on this issue under the with senior wildlife professionals, and
#SaveDibangValley campaign. (See nurture a feeling of team work.
page 40). Collaborations are essential to the
l In Karnataka, Project Leader Mud on Boots Project. The team is
Bhuvaneshwara H.C. has identified a keen to forge new collaborations
degraded forest patch for restoration and partnerships with individuals and
efforts. He has nurtured a nursery of organisations who have the same vision
Shiv Kumar
675 native saplings for this. as Sanctuary.
“The exposure and guidance Shiv Kumar has received as a l Project Leader Sunil Harsana also We at the Sanctuary Nature Foundation
Mud on Boots Project Leader have visibly benefited him. He undertook forest restoration work in have huge respect for those whose boots
has been instrumental in mobilising a group of like-minded Haryana. Along with volunteers and are muddy from the hard work and toil
individuals from the area who are now active in sharing, community members, Sunil undertook the that wildlife conservation in the field
plantation of 700 indigenous saplings in demands. The Mud on Boots Project is our
discussing and acting on conservation issues. I think this degraded parts of Mangar Bani. ongoing salute to such individuals.
Shiv Kumar programme deserves a lot of credit for this change in him.”
– Ajay Bijoor, Assistant Programme Head for Conservation at
COURTESY: Vishal Ahuja
High Altitude Programme, NCF-India
Vishal Ahuja has been facilitating the rewilding of
abandoned agricultural terraces in Chamba valley to
bring back native flora and fruiting trees.
Impact Report 2020-2021 31Project: COCOON Conservancies
Nikhil Tambekar
(2015-Present)
The central tenet of the Sanctuary
Nature Foundation’s Community Owned
Community Operated Nature (COCOON)
Conservancies is that it is designed as a
that it was possible to rewild abandoned
and failed farms located right next to
sanctuaries and national parks.
Sanctuary’s COCOON Conservancies
“ The primary beneficiaries
will be those living on the edges
of, or close to India’s finest,
most biodiverse wildernesses
social upliftment programme that creates involve working with several partners that
sustainable, dignified livelihoods, with share our rewilding vision as a key strategy through livelihoods whose
enhanced biodiversity being a measurable, to moderate the impacts of climate change.
collateral benefits will be
”
collateral benefit. Acutely aware that These include the WILD Foundation, Wildlife
solutions to alleviate farmer stress and Conservation Trust and Forest Departments biodiversity enhancement.
improve the relationship between people across different states.
and parks was floundering, the Sanctuary For more information about COCOON
Nature Foundation decided to demonstrate Conservancies, go to our website.
sanctuary nature foundation
Mission
To collaborate with communities
living adjacent to wildernesses in
India to create sustainable, dignified
livelihoods, with enhanced biodiversity
being a collateral benefit.
sanctuary nature foundation
Vision
To demonstrate to planners,
politicians, and village youth that the
quality of life of the people of the
Indian subcontinent has everything
to do with restoring health to the
biodiversity of its ecosystems without
which no human aspirations have any
hope of success.
Values
COCOON Conservancies focus
on solutions that are both ecologically
and economically practical.
sanctuary nature foundation
TOP In Gothangaon, Maharashtra, where the
pilot COCOON Conservancy was initiated, training
programmes have been held for women in making lac
bangles to provide them an income.
6 105 3
MIDDLE Regular training programmes are also
organised for local youth to help build alternative
livelihoods in tourism as nature guides and
hospitality professionals.
years since acres of farmland more projects BOTTOM Supporters of the first COCOON
Conservancy site contributed to the quality of life for
inception rewilded on the anvil rural communities, helping create a more healthy
relationship with the rich forests they live next to.
32 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 33Scope of the Project: 6. Sharing, communication and Looking Ahead l A 29-acre coffee estate on the outskirts
1. Upliftment of marginal and/or rural outreach with like-minded NGOs and Sanctuary has shortlisted some of Nagarahole (Karnataka)
communities socio-economically. tourism professionals/lodge owners potential sites, while more are being l Mangalajodi COCOON Conservancy –
2. Empowerment of marginal and/or rural across India. considered. However, progress depends Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary (Odisha)
communities with ecological information, 7. Reduction of negative human-animal on fundraising, the consultation process l Kanda COCOON Conservancy
and their rights, and providing a interactions, creating exemplars of – Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve
Pilot Project: and the acquiescence of the communities.
sustainable, beneficial alternative to localised climate mitigation through Currently, the following potential sites (Uttarakhand) – Paramjit Singh
Gothangaon, selling their lands for short-term gain. biodiversity and rewilding. l Ranthambhore COCOON Conservancy
and respective Project Directors have
Maharashtra 3. Generation of jobs and livelihoods for 8. Setting up of community-owned been identified: – Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
The pilot project at Gothangaon marginal farmers, landholders and Sanctuary Conservation Education l Jamtara COCOON Conservancy – (Rajasthan) – Govardhan Meena.
landless people living close to some of
village, next to the tiger forests India’s best biodiversity vaults.
and Nature Interpretation Centres for Pench Tiger Reserve (M.P.) – The short and long-term impacts of
of the Umred Pauni-Karhandla monitoring, reporting and research. Amit Sankhala COCOON Conservancies will be assessed by
4. Demonstration of the advantages the response to the various initiatives involving
9. Creation of self-sustainable projects in l Toria COCOON Conservancy – Panna
Wildlife Sanctuary, has turned of rewilding as a long-term
Tiger Reserve (M.P.) – Raghu Chundawat the local community, biodiversity monitoring,
sustainable strategy. approximately five years.
out to be a success. Here, 37 10. Reduction of conflict, to enable greater l Dara COCOON Conservancy – socio-economic progress, instances of
5. Securing health and financial security
families have stopped farming and providing skill-training for collaboration with the Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary (Kashmir) human-animal conflict, water and soil quality,
and allowed the forest to community youth. Forest Department. – Nadeem Qadri greater awareness, and improved cultural and
regenerate on their own land l Pakhiralay COCOON Conservancy – psychological health of the community as well
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal) as overall feedback.
holdings. For five years, the
map not to scale
farmers were compensated
equal to what they would have COCOON is ready to roll out COCOON Conservancies at Pench and Panna
in Madhya Pradesh. We have received the initial funding for these projects, but are
earned had they farmed. A way looking for support to engage communities to scale up and implement the next
was worked out to gift families phase of our project.
homestays with titles in their Write to Dr. Parvish Pandya at parvish@sanctuaryasia.com for more details.
names, which they in turn
entrusted to the management
care of professional homestay
operators for 30 years.
Everyone came out winning.
The tigers got the space they
needed. Sanctuary has now
exited from Gothangaon
and the project is being
implemented independently by
the community, led by Honorary
Wildlife Warden Roheet Karoo.
sanctuary nature foundation
FACING PAGE When the Gothangaon dam was
built around six years ago, the old Gothangaon village
was submerged under the waters of the Gadvi river,
displacing most of the community.
LEFT Sanctuary COCOON Conservancies, as marked
on the map, have been proposed near wilderness habitats
across India, currently in varied stages of negotiation.
34 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 35CAMPAIGNS
Meet Agrawal
36 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 37ADVOCACY OVER THE YEARS Giant Refugees
February 2017
degraded to support them. So they often
wander through rural lands and degraded
forests in search of food, and are regularly
In Athgarh, on the outskirts of harassed and abused. In 2017, Sanctuary
The Sanctuary Nature Foundation runs advocated for action on several pressing asked the Chief Minister of the state to
nationwide advocacy campaigns to issues. Here are a few key campaigns Bhubaneswar city, Odisha, a herd of wild
implement short-term and long-term solutions
raise public awareness about various that we wanted to highlight. However, as elephants was caught in a simmering conflict
for the protection of the animals. Publications
environmental issues that need greater legendary conservation scientist George with humans. The nearby Chandaka- such as First Post, Nature in Focus and The
attention. In the past, Sanctuary has Schaller says: Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, the natal home Wire also wrote about the Athgarh elephants
“
of their matriarch Laxmi, is too small and and the Giant Refugees campaign.
There are never victories in conservation.
If you want to save a species or a habitat, it’s a fight forevermore.
ADITYA CHANDRA PANDA
”
You can never turn your back.
Leave Me Alone awareness on the neglect, abuse and
illegal trade of tigers at the hands of one
July 2013 such attraction, Thailand’s ‘Tiger Temple’.
Sanctuary launched a petition on Global Allegations of the abuse across media
Tiger Day to underscore the reality that worldwide eventually prompted a raid by
India’s wild tigers need to be ‘left alone’ government officials, who confiscated all
with no human interference for wild habitats of the monastery’s 147 tigers and also
and biodiversity to flourish. Emphasising discovered the frozen bodies of tiger cubs,
that to secure the future of our people, we along with tiger pelts and other illegal wildlife
need to secure that of our tigers, a petition products. The rescued tigers (over half have
was launched on Change.org to call for died since) now live in government wildlife
the protection of our tigers’ forests and centres, while the temple has closed.
rewilding of our degraded lands. Over In December that year, Thailand granted
45,000 people signed, and a host of the Tiger Temple, now under the name
celebrated Indians spoke in support of the Golden Tiger Thailand to distance itself
Save the Great Indian Bustard campaign to save the GIB. Prominent wildlife
supporters and thousands of concerned
campaign, including Dia Mirza, Purab Kohli, from the previous scandal, a permit for a DECEMBER 2018 citizens endorsed the campaign. A petition
Boman Irani, Sudhir Pandey, Kitu Gidwani, ‘tiger zoo’. It allowed visitors to interact The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is critically directed at the Ministry of Power was
Naseeruddin Shah and the late Om Puri. with tigers, much like the Tiger Temple did. endangered. Only a hundred or so of the launched. Though the campaign garnered Read: Cara Tejpal, Director of the
Conservationists feared that such attractions birds are left in India’s vulnerable grassland over 11,000 signatures and prompted Mud on Boots Project at Sanctuary,
Tiger Temple Takedown ‘leaked’ tigers into the endangered wildlife habitats in Gujarat and Rajasthan. These movement from bustard range states and the interviews GIB experts Dr. Sumit Dookia
trade. Sanctuary, with the support of various heavy, low-flying birds suffer high mortality centre, a direct response from the Ministry of
February AND DECEMBER 2016 Power was not received.
and Dr. Mamta Rawat on efforts to save
Over the years, Sanctuary has organisations such as the Wildlife Protection from the overhead power lines that criss-cross the species.
been prompt in supporting those who About 2,500 tigers are held in captivity Society of India, TOFTigers, Conservation However, there is a glimmer of hope. On
their habitat. Moreover, their habitats, often
speak out against the misinformed, within 30 sanctioned tiger breeding facilities India and Satpuda Foundation, revived the April 19, 2021, after three years of advocacy,
wrongly termed as wastelands, are being the Supreme Court directed the formation of
relentless destruction of our wild across Thailand; many of them present campaign to ask that the license be revoked,
wiped out. On December 7, 2018, Sanctuary a committee to assess the feasibility of laying
habitats and the displacement of themselves as tiger tourism attractions. In but the government has stayed mum as
2016, Sanctuary ran a campaign to build construction continued. partnered with Conservation India and The underground power lines to help save the
indigenous people from their forest
homes. Each issue of Sanctuary Corbett Foundation to launch a national Great Indian Bustard from extinction.
focuses on a vital campaign to
SHARON GUYNUP
DHANANJAY JOSHI
inform and empower our readers.
We also publish insights, toolkits and
open letters to enable environmental
advocacy led by the extended
conservation community, including but
not limited to:
Save Mollem: Toolkit for the campaign
A Country of Campaigns:
By Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
New Draft of EIA will Endanger India’s
Wildernesses: By Sejal Mehta
Beyond the Dihing Patkai National Park:
By Rituraj Phukan
Oil Well Blowout in Baghjan:
By Rituraj Phukan LEFT Today, less than a hundred Great Indian
India, Dammed: By Neeraj Vagholikar, Bustards can be found in the wild. While a successful
captive breeding programme is underway, the species is
Parineeta Dandekar and still at risk of extinction unless other critical issues, such
Himanshu Thakkar as overhead power lines, their disappearing grassland
habitats and the threat of feral dogs, are addressed.
38 Impact Report 2020-2021 Impact Report 2020-2021 39You can also read
