Goal – ₹ 15,00,000
Amount raised so far – ₹ 56,110
About the fundraiser:
About the fundraiser:
The second wave of COVID-19 in India has devastated entire families with very high infection and mortality rates. In all the lockdowns imposed, frontline forest staff continue to foot-patrol their beats. Unlike most of us, they cannot work from home. In March and April 2021, we have lost at least 10 frontline forest staff besides many other conservation beacons to COVID-19. This appeal is to honour their life committed to conservation and provide immediate ex gratia support to their next-of-kin.
How funds will be utilised:
How funds will be utilised:
Frontline forest staff often fall to attacks by wild animals or poachers. Now we are losing them to COVID-19 too. The number of deaths reported is alarming and distressing, and like always, their sacrifices remain mostly unacknowledged by many. Besides forest staff, individuals from local communities and NGOs, with exemplary service in the wildlife sector have left us too soon. And they weren't just brilliant conservationists, but also the breadwinners for their families in most cases.
Since 2000-01, IFAW-WTI has pioneered a unique 'Supplementary Accident Assurance Scheme' that brings frontline forest staff under an ex gratia umbrella providing immediate financial aid in case of death or permanent disability on duty. In present times, the pandemic has claimed more lives than anyone expected, leaving behind dependents. The ex gratia scheme will cover the untimely deaths of our conservation heroes and provide financial support to their families when they need it the most.
Impact on the ground:
Impact on the ground:
Through this initiative, we stand in solidarity with our conservation heroes and their families and provide them with support to the best of our ability. It is an effort to recognise the selfless contribution of these unsung heroes to wild India and record their exemplary work in this field so it doesn't go unnoticed and inspires the next generation.
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), is a non-profit conservation organisation, committed to urgent action protecting India's wildlife. Its mission is to conserve nature, especially endangered species and threatened habitats, in partnership with communities and governments. Established in November 1998, with just three staff members, WTI today is a team of over 100 full-time professionals and consultants, in addition to volunteers from all walks of life. In these 20 odd years of its existence, WTI has grown to be one of India’s premier wildlife NGOs. The core team comprises scientists, field biologists, conservation managers, veterinarians, lawyers, finance, business management and communication specialists, who operate diverse conservation projects across India. Since its inception, WTI has saved 42,000 animal lives; assisted the govt. in creating 7 Protected Areas; sensitised 25 lakh children to conservation, protected almost 1200sq.km. of natural habitat including mangroves and coral reefs; assisted enforcement agencies in almost 250 seizures; trained and equipped 20,000 frontline forest staff and covered them under a unique ‘supplementary accident assurance scheme’ (an immediate ex gratia support provided in case of death or disability while on duty’ covering COVID-19 casualties).
