Help beacons: Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Patna, Aug. 10: Wildlife lovers would soon be able to contribute to the healthy upkeep of tigers and other wild animals of Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR).

The state government has completed the formalities of constituting the Valmiki Tiger Conservation Foundation, eligible to receive donations from individuals and organisations willing to contribute for the betterment of the state’s only tiger reserve.

The donors would get tax benefits for their contribution to the foundation, registered under the Society Registration Act. It has been set up in accordance with the terms of agreement the state government and VTR signed with National Tiger Conservation Authority in September 2009.

The foundation would have two bodies. The 11-member governing body, headed by the minister of environment and forests, would be the apex body as far as the functioning of the foundation is concerned. It would have a member from the local district board also.

The field director of the reserve would head the six-member executive committee. Its main function would be to execute the works suggested by the governing body as well as to co-ordinate with the VTR management for better execution of works.

“Having completed the registration related work, steps will now be taken to nominate the members who would be part of the government body and the executive committee,” VTR field director Santosh Tiwari told The Telegraph.

The foundation would work as an autonomous body. It would facilitate and support the VTR management in tiger conservation and eco development. It would also enjoy the power of assessing the reserve management work and suggest ways for improving the management practices.

The foundation would enjoy the power of mobilising funds from different sources. It would be free to use them for the overall improvement of the tiger reserve.

“Once the nomination process is complete, we would approach different organisations and bodies seeking their contribution for the development of the reserve,” Tiwari said.

The plan assumes significance because VTR is completely dependent on the central and state funds for carrying out conservation and management-related works. There is no provision for individuals or organisations to contribute financially to the reserve.

The VTR director said the foundation could display the names of the contributors in the reserve. “This practice would certainly encourage the prospective donors to come forward and contribute in making VTR a better place for the tigers and other wild animals,” Tiwari said.