A Project work of
‘Environmental Studies’
On
“World Wildlife Fund in India”
Submitted to Submitted to:Pro.Abhijit Anand
Mohd.Tabish
GU16R0574
6th Semester
Introduction
The Indian country has not only been rich in culture and tradition but it has been rich in both
flora and fauna. The majestic Asiatic Lion, Crocodile, Hangul, sandalwood, Himalayan Musk
Deer and Macaque are some species specially associated with India. We must realize that
Wildlife is an asset and not a liability as it adds to the beauty and adventurous spirit of a country.
Unfortunately, many of these species, today, are either extinct or on the verge of extinction.
Poaching, hunting and other environmental factor are some reasons for such extinction. The aim
of this project is to sensitize people and aware them of risk caused due to loss of wildlife and to
ascertain the methods to combat the same. WWF’s official phrase goes on as” The promotion of
nature conservation and environmental protection as the basis for sustainable and equitable
development” which rightly provides the basis of our project.
WWF- India is one of the largest independent NGO’s dedicated to biodiversity management, has
spearheaded the movement for promotion of the objectives of the 1992 Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) that was ratified by 191 countries of the World including India. We aim to
provide information to the readers regarding the interventions of WWF in the conservation of
biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and fair sharing of benefits arising out of its
utilization. WWF-India has been working to promote harmony between human beings and
nature for more than four decades.
Today, it is recognized as a premier conservation NGO in the country dealing with nature
conservation, environmental protection and development-related issues. At a time when the Web
of Life has come under increasing threats, WWF-India's attempts have been to find and
implement solutions so that human beings can live in harmony with nature, and leave for future
generations a world rich in natural resources and natural wonders.
The organization is part of the WWF-family with 27 independent national organizations. The
coordinating body, the WWF International, is located at Gland in Switzerland
Established as a Charitable Trust on November 27, 1969, it has an experience of over four
decades in the field. From a modest beginning, the organization was propelled forward by the
efforts of its founders and associates who volunteered their time and energy to lend momentum
to this movement.
Content of the Project
It is very well known fact that Wildlife in India is under threats of poaching, hunting or any
such activity. An important aspect of this project included the policy advocacy work related to
procure environment stability in context of wildlife. World Wide Fund for nature -India, or
WWF-India, is a conservation organization dedicated to building a healthy living planet for
future generations by adopting various approaches to conservation of wildlife.
WWF, being a huge organization with multiple areas of operations to serve the wildlife we
intend to brief about the projects and initiations by WWF in India. The idea behind our project is
to bring out the importance of wildlife protection. “How does death of a ferocious animal like
Tiger can cause imbalance and harm to the humankind”? Many of us SMS to Save Tiger but
don’t know the answer of this very basic question, that is why we intend to provide very basic
knowledge regarding Wildlife Protection. The theory behind this project has its source from the
motto of WWF “To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future
in which humans live in harmony with nature (Sustainable Development)”.The project has an
object to provide information about World Wildlife Fund, its operations, interventions and
initiative for environmental education amongst youth. Our project will also focus on
administrative set up of WWF in India at both headquarter and State level for smooth and
unperturbed functioning.
India has been a rich country in wildlife. The Indian Rhinoceros, Nilgai, Rusty Spotted Cat, The
Chausingha( deer with four horns), Asiatic Elephant, Bats in Tamil Nadu, Owls, Ghariyal are
some examples of majestic Indian species.
India which is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, many of them are in extinction
stage, what our country needs is to protect wildlife not under different sections of law but under
society as a whole. Every citizen of our country should understand the role in the society to
protect the environment from being harm. The highest authority in the India for the concerned
work is ministry of environment forest. Its work is to promote coordinate and overseeing the
implementation of India’s environment and forest policies and programmes.
WWF-India’s objectives for species and landscape conservation include:
Research and baseline data collection of the target species and their associated species as well as
their habitats;
Mitigation of human-wildlife conflict;
Reducing poaching and wildlife trade;
Lobbying for policies supporting wildlife conservation;
Working with communities for creating sustainable livelihoods and
Increasing protection of critical wildlife bearing areas.
The whole work of MOEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) is to enforce or implement
state policies but the whole India flora and fauna can’t be checked by ministry if there will be not
a learned society.
There is no denying fact that species in India are under a threat of extinction and need an
immediate eye of the society and government. So our work is to clearing the role of WWF in
India and how both state and WWF work with coordination in the country. To sum up we aim to
provide all possible information regarding WWF and its interventions with coordination of the
government to not only preserve but also sensitize the upcoming generation through various
contests. The matters regarding various departments of WWF which work in coordination with
each other are also taken care of in our project. Our project very well relates to priorities of the
country as it is an alarming situation in context of wildlife and support to rehabilitate and
preserve wildlife is the need of the hour.
Methodology Involved
The method for research is basically through fieldwork and interviews. For the same we visited
WWF-India at Lodi Road, Delhi.WWF as a student friendly NGO promotes projects and student
involvement in environmental studies. We talked to Ms. Mita Goswami, the Director of
Environmental studies department. Further we talked to program officer Ms. Soji Susan James
who solved our various queries and provided valuable facts about the organization. Prior to our
visit we had mailed a questionnaire which had questions pertaining to wildlife status in India and
WWF’s role in India. The main method of our research was based on interview and various
literatures provided by WWF and through official website of WWF. WWF India has a
resourceful library and galleries which are also providing matter to the project. Above all it is the
interaction through lecture with Ms. Soji Susan James which enlightened us with essential facts
regarding the organization. The photographs and cuttings also are a supplement feature of the
project which is inserted so as to give a very descriptive and comprehensive presentation.
Literature Reviews
Name- Panda
Type-Magazine
Published by- WWF India, 172 b Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003
Editorial Board- Dr. Dipankar Ghose, Dr. Parikshit Gautam, Geeta Warrior, Mita Goswami,
Maulika Arabhi
Editor- Shaila Sam
Assistant Editor- Malika Gupta
Designed by- GENESIS
Printed by: Batra Art Press
This is quarterly a printed magazine by WWF India. It is valuable to review the report section of
the magazine. This magazine was helpful while completion of the project and is a great source
for environment awareness and general knowledge for that matter. The main news in this volume
was Salim Ali (A great Ornithologist) Visitor Interpretation Centre at the Kaelodeo National
park in Bharatpur India was conferred the best Asian wetland award on November 23, 2010 by
Wetlands Links International. The aim of the Award is to identify and reward the best practice
wetland centre in Asia. The criteria of the award includes range of interpretation materials and
displays at a centre, work engaging local communities, involvement in active conservation of
spices and habitants and the development of innovative approaches amongst others. This year the
participants included representatives from China, Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Iran and
Malaysia.
Next catching article in the magazine was regarding Pilibhit’s (U.P.) rich wildlife. WWF India
took snaps of vibrant wildlife in the area through hidden Cameras. Majestic species like The
Rusty Spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) and The Chausingha (tetracesus quadrieornis).
These species are found in only Indian subcontinent. This exercise was organized by WWF India
in cooperation with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA).
We were enlightened by the story of Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh where there was
an increase in number of Tigers which over a period of time had just 5 tigers. WWF India
provided a Maruti Gypsy and 4 motorcycles last year and another Mahindra Bolero this year to
Contribute towards this aspect and will continue to provide support for the same. The presence
and enthusiasm of the current field Director Panna Tiger reserve has always boosted the moral of
the staff. This is clear if one looks at the incidence in which a male tiger roamed outside the
forest area for forty days but was subsequently brought back to Panna. There are plans to
translocation two more Tigresses to Panna in the near future, which would necessitate enhance
protection. Panna Tiger reserve needs a support from the government, Ngo and society at large in
order to regain its lost glory. There is a strong hope of revival; however the desired support needs
to be made available on time.
WWF India organized youth tiger forum in Vladivostok in Russian Far East, home of Amur
Tiger, where youth representatives from all tiger range countries gathered together for a week
The Magazine was great help not as it provided useful information but by also providing
beautiful snaps and photos. It has a section dealing with rich wildlife in Indian states which was
again a resource for the project. Moreover, it has project updates Reports, Upcoming Events,
special focus and work directly from field work.
Recent Information
Lighting Sundarbans’ homes
On 9 March 2011, WWF-India and CAT Projects Australia inaugurated a micro solar power
station at Rajat Jubilee on Satjelia Island in the Sundarbans region of West Bengal using the
Bushlight India Model.
The Centre for Environmental Law (CEL), WWF-India and the National Law University, Delhi
(NLUD) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly conduct a Post-Graduate
Diploma in Urban Environmental Management. The course will be formally launched in April
2011.
The new One Planet MBA programme will launch in September 2011, representing a unique
partnership between WWF and the University of Exeter Business School. It will be the world’s
first MBA systematically devoted to embedding the need for a sustainable approach to strategic
business management.
The One Planet MBA will be global in outlook, developing leaders and managers capable of
running organisations in a culturally diverse, resource-constrained world, influenced by radically
different values and concerns from those of the recent past. Graduates of the programme will be
fully competent in the business skills upon which MBAs have traditionally been based but will
also be able to demonstrate innovative approaches to the development of sustainable business
strategies.
Our Findings
Prior to our visit to the WWF India, Lodi Road, we had many misnomers regarding WWF like is
it an organization of the United Nations or is it a part of Indian Government. The program officer
well treated all our questions. The very basic query we had was that who funds the WWF? Ms.
Soji Susan James answered that there is no primary funder of the WWF but many. We also got to
know as WWF is an environment related organization it does not accepts funds from companies
which are selling products that directly or indirectly degrading the environment. Like Prada,
Gucci, Pepsi are not selected to fund the WWF. WWF is a subtle organization and not an activist
one. It has a very systematic administrative setup which is discipline and method oriented. Roles
are clearly defined from the grass root level to the most upper one which is significant by various
departments WWF has formed like Environmental and Educational Studies. WWF India aims
species conservation, (Red Panda, Gangetic Indian Dolphin, Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Snow
Leopard).Community Involvement in Biodiversity Conservation, Changing Perceptions through
Education, Biodiversity Conservation by Monitoring Wildlife Trade. WWF has innate faith that
awareness among youth can really collapse the hindrances to sustainable development. That is
why WWF is constantly organizing quizzes, essay writings and other contests which enable
environmental knowledge and youth involvement among the upcoming generations. Our next
query pertained to interventions of WWF India. We came to know about main projects of WWF
mainly Living Ganga, Sustainable Fisheries, Sustainable Energy.
WWF has also taken up an initiative for Footprint Reduction. WWF-India is working to reduce
the country’s footprint on the planet by addressing key development and environmental issues
that have an impact on our overall footprint. We also came to know about that this is the
international year for volunteers as observed by WWF India also this year. Therefore, WWF has
been dedicated towards their efforts for youth involvement and creating awareness among them.
For this they are organizing many quizzes, essay writing competition where the selected group of
winners will get a chance to present their opinions on international front- Conference on Climate
Change. The Ministry of Environment and Forests many times funds WWF and asks for their
support for completion of its projects.
Limitations Encountered
During the field visit we as such encountered not so many difficulties. Transportation was
convenient as WWF office is quite popular and was very near to India Habitat Centre. It was
easy for all group members due to its convenient location. As it was a working area we had very
less to explore. We could just gather the information which was readily available on the web.
Also, we were not able to attend any quiz or other significant activities conducted by WWF in
order to sensitize the youth. We just visited the library but issue of any material was the sole
right of staff members and other very well associated with the organization. For the very same
we would have to visit the WWF India office again with the letterhead which is not an easy task.
Conclusion
We conclude that WWF India solely aims to protect the Wildlife and for the very same its
intervention are very accurate and effective. Moreover, its setup is so disciplined that it caters to
the needs of Environment. Our misnomer was solved as we came to know that WWF India is an
independent organization, and then too it is in constant support from the state governments and
Ministry Of Environment and Forest for effective completion of their projects.WWF India due to
its vast reach has very useful information regarding Wildlife, so it proves to be a good advisor to
the government. It is an organization which not only works in bigger areas but also works at the
grass root level. For example, it has taught tribal societies who since years were poaching and
hunting for a living. As tribal communities were living near areas close to forests and its habitat,
it is really futile to think that tribes will leave their home environment or could be displaced by
the government. WWF understood this fact and provided the solution by educating and
sensitizing them with the aftermaths of Wildlife degradation. Panna, in Madhya Pradesh is a
premier example for the same. As WWF is a great supporter of sustainable development, it is
focusing on the fact that in order to have a better upcoming generation, the preservation of
Wildlife and Environment is the need of the hour.
Our project aimed at providing all information about WWF and ascertaining whether efforts of
WWF have been fruitful or not. We also aim to evaluate the awareness by the projects initiated
by WWF. Are the projects implemented at levels of Environment? Have they been effective in
providing important solutions for the problems? Have the awareness brought about any change
in the mind set of the present generation?
We can say with great confidence that WWF’s effort has been very effective and they have
brought their plans to successful implementations. As WWF promotes youth involvement and
awareness amongst students, it has remarkably aware students and we can see a much
responsible and sensible youth in context on Environment like Earth Hour, Celebrating Ganga
(to save Gangetic Dolphin), and its project to stop illegal trafficking of Owls (as people exploit
them for black magic). Earth Hour in India has nearly doubled over last year’s record effort, with
47 cities across 12 states confirmed to take part before the event, compared to the 27 cities
participating in 2010. Young Climate Savers is a programme launched with an aim to create
awareness across the student fraternity in India on climate change, and through them to reach out
to the larger community and to influence them to become climate savers. WWF-India partnered
with Tetra Pak in implementing the Young Climate Savers program. Another example is The
Green Hiker Campaign is WWF’s initiative to encourage tourists and tour operators in the
Himalayan region to opt for sustainable and responsible tourism.
The coordination between the forest and forest department and the various other government
departments at all levels need immediate attention. Like in the example where an Elephant was
stuck on a track between Siliguri and Aliprduar, there was no coordination between Railways
and Forest Department, even after the death of over 30 Elephants. There are important necessary
legislations to be formulated for Wildlife and Environment, in which WWF has a minimal role.
We strongly believe that WWF should be given to chance to diversify its role and its
representation in Legislation should be much enhanced. WWF keeps on providing remedies to
government like prioritizing the reclamation of encroached forest land in order to manage the
wildlife habitat and increasing the boundary of protected areas include the corridor under the
Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972.
Re-emphasize the importance of Critical Wildlife Habitats
Feedback from State Forest Departments suggested that there is reluctance or skepticism in many
states about Critical Wildlife Habitats, the feeling being that this provision may not enhance the
security of existing Protected Areas. The participants of the consultation felt that the value of
Critical Wildlife Habitats must be re-emphasized, especially since it is the only legal provision
which ensures that CWH once declared, cannot be diverted for any other use [Section 4(2),
Forest Right Act].
Both government agencies and civil society, including village communities, should be engaged
in the exercise of identifying CWHs.
To sum up, we evaluate WWF as a subtle organization and not an activist one. It has its offices
in few states of India so it needs a wider coverage area. It should be given more rights and it
advises should be heeded very well as it is an organization of environmentalist and enlightened
personnel. We strongly support WWF and such NGO’s should be promoted by the government
and society.
References
1. Panda- magazine issued by WWF
2. Article titled as Just sighted : A brand new home for tigers in The Hindu
3. www.wwfindia.org
4. Information gathered through interview with Ms. Soji Susan James at WWF India,
Lodi Road
5. Books from WWF Library
6. Official Website of Ministry of Environment and Forests
7. Photographs bearing information from photo gallery at WWF India.
8. Book named Indian Flora and Fauna from GGSIPU library.
