Anil Agarwal Foundation collaborates with Assam’s Kaziranga National Park &
Tiger Reserve for TACO’s ‘Mission Vanraksha’
~Signs MoU to provide a surveillance centre and dwelling units for frontline workers
protecting Park’s wildlife including endangered species~
Guwahati, Assam, Aug 22, 2024 – In a significant move towards the protection of endangered
animals, Anil Agarwal Foundation(AAF) through its flagship animal welfare initiative The Animal Care
Organization (TACO), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kaziranga National
Park & Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in Assam, to provide a surveillance
centre and dwelling units for frontline workers who are at the forefront of the Park’s conservation
efforts. As part of TACO’s wildlife conservation project ‘Mission Vanraksha’, this collaboration will
strengthen the protection of the Park’s wildlife especially endangered species such as the Greater
One-Horned Rhinos, Asiatic Elephants and Bengal Tigers. The MoU outlines a grant of INR 6 crores
to be utilised over a period of three years for this collaboration.
The MoU signing ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Minister of Environment & Forest, Act East Policy
Affairs and Welfare of Minorities, Govt of Assam, Shri Chandra Mohan Patowary, emphasizing the
state's commitment to preserving its natural heritage. The MoU was signed between Ms. Ritu
Jhingon, President, Anil Agarwal Foundation and Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National
Park & Tiger Reserve. Also present at the ceremony was Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson,
Hindustan Zinc Ltd, and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd who anchors the TACO project.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of Environment & Forest, Govt. of Assam, Shri
Chandra Mohan Patowary, expressed his support for the initiative, stating, "Kaziranga National
Park is not just a treasure of Assam but of the entire world. We are committing to support TACO’s
initiative ‘Mission Vanraksha’ where they will provide surveillance centre to maintain a zero poaching
zone and to promote conservation and sustainability in our state. The establishment of dwelling units
for forest frontline workers is a critical component of this initiative, ensuring that those who protect our
heritage are well-supported. The well-being of the frontline workers will help them maintain
Kaziranga’s unparalleled beauty and biodiversity.”
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd, and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta
Ltd, emphasizing the importance of the partnership, said, “This MoU is especially important as it
focuses on improving facilities for frontline workers, including ‘Van Durgas’ or women forest guards,
providing an impetus to conservation activities in Kaziranga. I am delighted that TACO will be
contributing to the ongoing efforts in collaboration with the Government of Assam to preserve the
region’s unique ecosystem while supporting the green warriors of the forest. Together, we can create
a sustainable model that benefits both wildlife and the local communities.”
The grant to build the surveillance centre and dwelling units for the forest guards and staff marks a
pivotal step towards enhancing conservation efforts at Kaziranga National Park and will aid in the
surveillance and protection of the Park's wildlife population, including rhinos and elephants. The
structure set up shall be undertaken in consonance with due compliances under Forest, Wildlife &
Environmental laws and regulations etc.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, spread over 1302 sq km, is famous for its success story
of reviving the population of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros and is today home to over 2613 of
these iconic species. Besides, the park also boasts of the largest population of Asiatic Water Buffalo
in the world with estimates at over 2565 individuals, over 1200 Asiatic Elephants, along with
significant densities of Bengal Tiger and Eastern Swamp Deer. More than 30 mammalian species,
556 bird species, 17 freshwater turtles, 35 Snakes, 29 lizards and 24 frogs have also been recorded.
The park also provides habitat for several globally threatened species including Sambar Deer, Hog
Deer, Capped Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, Sloth
Sensitivity: Internal (C3)
Bear, Bengal florican and the Gangetic Dolphin. The park is a crucial part of the ecosystem that
needs careful safeguarding, and TACO commits to supporting the authorities in their efforts.
Notably, TACO's initiatives encompass a holistic approach to ‘One Health’, recognizing the
interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. TACO's commitment
to wildlife conservation encompasses a multifaceted approach. In 2022, it collaborated with to the
Forest Department, Government of Rajasthan, by providing seven patrolling vehicles at Ranthambore
National Park to enhance on ground surveillance efforts.
TACO’s shelter in Faridabad, Haryana is home to 160+ animals, including cows, bulls, and dogs,
focusing on rescue, rehabilitation, advanced veterinary care and overall well-being. It recently
unveiled a multi-specialty veterinary hospital focused on advanced animal healthcare in Faridabad
where it is also running Mobile Health Van and Ambulance services. Since its inception two years
ago, it has treated more than 60,000 animals through health camps held across several operational
areas of Vedanta group and rescued almost 5,000 animals during the Delhi and Haryana floods. Its
dedication also extends to education and training through the TACO Academy, which conducts
sessions for veterinarians and paraprofessionals.
TACO is the animal welfare initiative by Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for 140+ social
impact projects of Vedanta and its business units. Vedanta Ltd., one of the world’s leading critical
minerals, energy and technology companies, through its subsidiary Cairn Oil & Gas has been
exploring and developing the untapped hydrocarbon potential of Northeast India. Cairn has been
providing gas supply to the tea estates, from its production facility in Hazarigaon. Further, through its
association with Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL), it is fuelling 100 CNG buses in Guwahati,
supporting the clean energy initiative of the Government of Assam.
In line with its mission to ‘transforming communities’, Cairn has set-up a Handloom Center at
Borchapori Village, Borpathar District, Golaghat, Assam. This has been developed as a part of the
livelihood generation initiatives in partnership with Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM)
and District Handloom Department, Govt. of Assam.
