The Corbett Foundation
The
Corbett Foundation (TCF) is a non - government, non - profit public
charitable trust founded by Mr. Dilip Dharamsey Khatau, chairman of the
Khatau Group of industries. TCF began functioning on 22nd April 1994 and has
since been working for the conservation of biodiversity. It has two centres
- the main office is in Ramnagar (Corbett Tiger Reserve) and the other is in
Kutch.
One of the major impacts of the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) on the lives of
people living on its contours is damage to livestock by the big cats (tiger
and leopard) and crops by other wild animals. This generates resentment
among people against both wild animals and Forest Department. The government
gives some monetary compensation for cattle killed but there are long
procedural delays in disbursement.
The Corbett Foundation has been paying an amount called Interim Relief, to
support it's supplementary and complimentary nature to the government
scheme, on the spot after inspection and confirmation of a kill case. If a
kill case is reported to the Foundation within 72 hours the informer is
rewarded . The Foundation's inspection team verifies that the animal has
indeed been killed by a predator and pays the interim Relief amount to the
owner.
Wildlife & CTF:
CTF provides financial interim relief for cattle killed and injured by wild
animals such as tigers and leopards. In addition we have also erected solar
powered electric fences to avoid crop damage by wild animals. CTF conducts
regular research programs for various aspects of wildlife conservation.
Medical activities:
TCF holds regular medical camps at villages around CTR and an OPD clinic at
the foundation centre every Monday and friday. They also run an anti - TB
(tuberculosis) program and health awareness campaign.
Awareness activities:
TCF organises regular activities for villagers and school children for
awareness of biodiversity and the ecosystem in CTR. TCF conducts an annual
bird quiz and several bird watching camps for the members of Corbett
Conservation Group. They also have a quarterly newsletter, Sanrakshak.
