New Delhi, July 28, 2023. The Animal Care Organization (TACO), the animal welfare project of Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), has announced its association with Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, to bolster conservation efforts of big cats in the region. With a strong focus on wildlife conservation, TACO will make an initial grant of INR 1 crore to establish five anti-poaching camps, equipped with solar panels. TACO will also provide two surveillance vehicles to the field rangers for better on-ground mobility to ensure protection of wildlife.
The association aims to improve the monitoring of anti-poaching activities by augmenting patrolling infrastructure, to secure the future of the reserve’s animals and its habitat. The anti-poaching camps will act as a critical line of defense against poaching and willcurb illicit activities, safeguarding the precious flora and fauna of Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve. Additionally, the surveillance vehicles will strengthen patrolling infrastructure at the reserve.
TACO was established by Priya Agarwal Hebbar under the umbrella of Anil Agarwal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Vedanta, to create a sustainable and scalable ecosystem for the well-being of animals, based on the ‘One Health’ approach.
Expressing her enthusiasm on this move, Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Anchor, TACO & Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd said, "The Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity and a haven for fauna enthusiasts. TACO's collaboration with the reserve will foster a more secure and nurturing environment for the majestic wild cats residing there. As we celebrate International Tiger’s Day tomorrow, the partnership will be a step closer in realizing our broader vision to promote animal welfare and strengthen conservation efforts across the nation. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to safeguard India's biodiverse eco-system and promote harmonious co-existence between humans and animals."
Situated in the southeastern part of Rajasthan, spread across an area of approx. 1502 sq km, Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Bundi was notified as a tiger reserve in year 2022 and is the state’s fourth tiger reserve. Now offering safaris for wildlife enthusiasts, it is a magnetic biodiversity hotspot with a wide array of exquisite flora and fauna, including tiger, panther, sloth bear, jungle cat, Asiatic wildcat, palm civet, and several species of birds, amongst others. Recently, Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve witnessed the birth of three cubs taking the tiger population of the reserve to five.
To celebrate International Tiger Day (ITD), TACO is organizing fun, engaging activities at its animal shelter in Faridabad, Haryana and at several locations across India where Anil Agarwal Foundation’s women and child welfare project ‘Nand Ghar’ as well as Vedanta has operational presence. These activities, involving children, is aimed at creating awareness on the need to support tiger conservation efforts from an early age. During the event, the participants will also take a pledge for Tiger Conservation.
To boost tiger conservation, last year TACO donated a sum of INR 1 crore to the Forest Department, Government of Rajasthan, to procure patrolling vehicles for bolstering surveillance at Ranthambore National Park.TACO's relentless efforts, supported by the Anil Agarwal Foundation and Vedanta, demonstrate a shared commitment to wildlife conservation. By joining forces with the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, TACO aims to increase its continued contribution to the preservation of these iconic big cats and the diverse ecosystem they inhabit.
