MILESTONES-2009 1 FORTY YEARS OF WWF-INDIA MILESTONES-2009 CONTENTS Our Mission ............................................................................ 4 President’s Notes..................................................................... 5 From the SG and CEO .............................................................. 5 Biodiversity Conservation .................................... 7 Species Conservation: Red Panda .............................................................................. 8 Gangetic River Dolphin ............................................................ 9 Indian Rhino ........................................................................... 10 Asiatic Lion ............................................................................. 10 Snow Leopard ......................................................................... 11 Community Involvement in Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife Corridor Restoration.................................................... 12 Salt Tolerant Paddy ............................................................... 12 Solid Waste Management ........................................................ 13 Reducing Subsistence use of Fuel Wood ............................ 14 Reducing Commercial Fuel Wood Consumption Sustainable Lemon Grass Oil Production .................................. Changing Perceptions through Education Integrating Pardhi Tribals ..................................................... 16 Jal Pathshala ........................................................................... 17 Biodiversity Conservation by Monitoring Wildlife Trade TRAFFIC India ......................................................................... 19 Orienting Judiciary on Wildlife Laws ......................................... 20 Mitigating Footprint ............................................. 21 Promoting Sustainable Agriculture ..................................... 22 Addressing Pollution in the Ganga ........................................... 23 Promoting Responsible Forestry ............................................... 24 Small Glaciers more Vulnerable to Climate Change ................... 25 Earth Hour .............................................................................. 26 Ganga and I ............................................................................ 28 Green Hiker Campaign ............................................................ 28 Enablers ................................................................ 31 Conservation Alliances ............................................................. 32 Communications ..................................................................... 33 Environment Education ............................................................ 34 ENVIS ..................................................................................... 35 Human Resource ..................................................................... 36 IGCMC .................................................................................... 37 Finance ................................................................................ 38 Our Programmes: Centre for Environment Law Climate Change and Energy Environment and Development Forests Freshwater and Wetlands Marine Species Sustainable Livelihoods Toxics TRAFFIC Enablers: Communications Conservation Alliances Environment Education GIS and Information Management Library and Documentation Centre Network Services and Supporter Relations A tigress yawns in the grassland habitat of Kanha Tiger Reserve, Central India Photo – Joseph Vattakaven WO R L D W I D E F U N D F O R Na TU R E - I N D I A OUR MISSION The promotion of nature conservation and environmental protection as the foundation for sustainable and equitable development. The WWF-India mission can be broken down into eight broad programme goals: • Ensuring conservation of the country’s biodiversity, major ecosystems and critical landscapes. Our Trustees • Minimizing wasteful consumption and promoting sustainable and wise use of natural Dr. Divyabhanusinh Chavda resources by all sectors of society. President • Promoting the active involvement of rural and traditional communities in the Mr. Tarun Das sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. Vice President • Working towards a reduction in the sources and impacts of climate change. Mr. Jamshyd N.Godrej • Minimizing pollution, reducing the use of toxic chemicals and ensuring improved management of toxic waste. Dr. Jamshed J. Irani • Enhancing active participation of all sections of society in nature conservation and Mr. Pratapsingh Raoji Rane environmental protection through environmental education, awareness raising and Admiral Madhvendra Singh capacity building. PVSM, AVSM (Retd.) • Ensuring that environmental principles are integrated into development planning, Mr. Sundaraj Theodore Baskaran policy and practices. • Promoting environmental governance through legislation, policy and advocacy. Panna Tiger Reserve MILESTONES-2009 President’s NOTES With the entire world talking about climate change in light of the ambitious Copenhagen summit, there are no doubts about the awareness and gravity of this and other conservation related issues. What seems to remain a constant drive for WWF-India is the significance it attaches to action with a positive intention. The year 2009 saw major work done focusing on specific species, landscapes and communities. It’s rather remarkable how the organisation delves deep into minute details of an issue striving to bring a change that eventually brings about a great difference. The Annual Report showcases major achievements and work undertaken by our team which nonetheless remains only a part of the effort and struggle that actually goes into it. It gives me immense pleasure wishing WWF-India all the very best on its successful completion of 40 years of conservation. I hope that the organisation continues to mobilize political will and strengthen momentum to make conservation a must, making everyone realize that the opportunity and responsibility lies with no one but us. Divyabhanusinh Chavda President, WWF-India Our Trustees Dr. Divyabhanusinh Chavda President Mr. Tarun Das Vice President FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL AND CEO Mr. Jamshyd N.Godrej Dr. Jamshed J. Irani WWF-India completed 40 years on 26th November 2009 in its service to the nation for the Mr. Pratapsingh Raoji Rane conservation of India’s natural heritage and ecology. The organisation’s older programmes Admiral Madhvendra Singh of educational awareness, freshwater and species have since been augmented by our work PVSM, AVSM (Retd.) on marine conservation, sustainable livelihoods, environmental law, sustainable agriculture Mr. Sundaraj Theodore Baskaran and climate change. Whilst these programmes have been listed in the report, three key areas need to be highlighted namely, the Indira Gandhi Conservation Monitoring Center which comprises WWF-India’s GIS and electronic media information capabilities, the Centre for environmental law which has led a long innings in conducting diploma courses and have increasingly reached out to conduct programmes on wildlife trade and crime, ecological tourism and supporting university curricula; and the work of TraffIC India on illegal trade and related training. The impact of WWF-India’s conservation alliances, partnerships and communication units which have taken the message of conservation to the business sector as well to many sections of Indian society in a way we never reached out before also needs to be highlighted. The attention span of many sections of Indian society towards the topic of conservation and the need for a graduated structured response is not in consonance with our experience in the 1970s and 1980s. Environment related risks and opportunities are viewed in a utilitarian sense and the care for natural spaces and wilderness as well the sense of adventure in experiencing nature are gradually diminishing. Despite these declining trends, we find the response of non-urban communities and many sections of the younger generation very encouraging. Given these challenges, WWF-India needs to attune itself to relevancy given the way we see future development and in deriving fresh initiatives to work towards changing the twin indices of decline in living species and improvement in sustainable use of global resources. And importantly, to do this without diluting our main mission to work for a better planet. We take strength from our teams who have initiated several new and exciting programmes in 2009 as described in the following pages. The team of WWF-India has to be appreciated for its commitment and tremendous dedication to the cause of conservation and the mission of its organisation. Whilst we have found much strength in working together, the fact that much more needs to be done helps us to raise the level of our performance. We thank the tremendous support of individuals, institutions - both governmental and non-governmental groups and communities who follow, encourage and reinforce our work throughout India. Ravi Singh Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India WO R L D W I D E F U N D F O R Na TU R E - I N D I A State Offices Representative Offices: Kohra Andhra Pradesh Amritsar Kolkata Assam & Arunachal Pradesh Dehradun Kotdwar Bihar & Jharkhand Jaipur Khatima Goa Leh Gujarat Jammu & Kashmir Field/Project/ Mandla Karnataka Programme Offices Narora Kerala Aurangabad Palia Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh Baripada Panna Maharashtra Bharatpur