GUWAHATI: The Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve and Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) for the construction of a surveillance centre and dwelling units for wildlife protection on Thursday in Guwahati.
The event at the conference hall of Old CM Block at Janata Bhawan was attended by Environment & Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary.
As per the agreement, Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) through its flagship animal welfare initiative—The Animal Care Organization (TACO)—will build a surveillance centre and over 40 dwelling units for frontline workers of the Kaziranga National Park who are at the forefront of the park’s conservation efforts.
As part of TACO’s CSR wildlife conservation project ‘Mission Vanraksha’, this collaboration will strengthen the protection of the park’s wildlife, especially endangered species such as the Greater One-Horned Rhinos, Asiatic Elephants, and Bengal Tigers.
The MoU outlines a grant of Rs 6 crore to be utilized over a period of three years for this collaboration.
Speaking at the programme, Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary thanked Anil Agarwal Foundation for coming forward to help in Assam Government’s efforts to improve the facilities for frontline forest workers.
Highlighting the need for more such corporate partnerships with the government for the conservation of nature, Patowary said industry and state government must join hands for more such sustainable initiatives.
Stating that Vedanta Group has invested heavily in oil exploration in Assam, the Forest Minister stressed the need to maintain a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.
He also talked about the Assam Government’s initiatives such as Amrit Brikshya Andolan under which several world records have been set in planting trees.
This year more than 3 crore saplings have been planted under the programme, he said.
He credited Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma for this visionary initiative to increase Assam’s forest cover and also thanked the people of the state for their wholehearted support.
He highlighted the need to generate awareness among the young generation for conservation of nature and ecology.
He said, “The frontline forest workers who put in lots of hard work and dedication in carrying out their duties in adverse conditions like flood must be provided all facilities.”
Patowary added that efforts have been taken in this regard and the cooperation of Corporate Groups would go a long way in achieving this goal.
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Priya Agarwal Hebbar, chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd, expressed happiness for being able to contribute to the Assam government’s efforts in forest conservation and committed to more such initiatives in the future as well.
The event was attended by Special Chief Secretary M.K. Yadav, Director KNP Sonali Ghosh, and other dignitaries.
