India is home to a wide variety of wildlife species that are not only rare but charismatic in their own way. The richness of wildlife has played a pivotal role in maintaining the diverse ecosystems spanning across the length and breadth of India. Apart from fact that wildlife contributes significantly to Indian tourism, the varied and rich wildlife of region has had a profound impact on the country's popular culture. Thus it is imperative that wildlife conservation should be a primary area of focus for this country.
Our Chairman, Hemendra Kothari, has always been a passionate wildlife enthusiast. His enthusiasm towards wildlife led him to set up the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), a few years after he sold his financial services company to Merrill Lynch (now Bank of America). WCT is a Mumbai-based registered public charitable trust dedicated and committed to the preservation, protection and conservation of wildlife across India. WCT collaborates with NGOs and aligns itself with the government to problem-solve for the many stakeholders involved in saving India's forests and wild animals. Further, it helps fund NGOs that are actively involved in health and education initiatives around national parks and makes communities that reside in forest areas aware of the importance of India's jungles.
Another important aspect of WCT's interventions are the 'WCT Wildlife Service Awards' which were introduced to motivate the forest staff along with associated agencies such as the judiciary, police department and eco-development committees who work closely with the Forest Department to curtail man-animal conflict, forest degradation and poaching.
WCT has been conducting consultations and workshops on various threads of wildlife conservation involving forest officials, wildlife biologists, conservation NGOs, researchers, wild lifers, corporates, writers and film-makers. It is the organisation's belief that by working in unison, the country can help find solutions to the many problems confronting India's wildlife and forests.
DSP BlackRock's Support For Wildlife Conservation - The Sanctuary Wildllife Awards 2011
Sanctuary Asia, India's leading wildlife, conservation and environment magazine, was started by Editor Bittu Sahgal in 1981 to raise awareness among Indians of their disappearing natural heritage. Every year, Sanctuary Asia seeks to honour the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people, The Earth Heroes. Each of these Earth Heroes has demonstrated courage, creativity and selfless persistence while trying to help protect the natural legacy of India for current and future generations.
This year DSP BlackRock Investment Managers has joined Sanctuary Asia in celebrating the unsung heroes of India who are constantly defending her wildernesses with relentless dedication and determination. DSP BlackRock is proud to present the Sanctuary Wildlife Awards 2011.
DSP BlackRock brings you the 12th Sanctuary Wildlife Awards held in Mumbai on December 02, 2011