Guwahati, Aug. 19: State Bank of India (SBI), the leading public sector bank, has embarked on a slew of initiatives in regard to wildlife conservation, ecology and presentation of a "local" feel in their ATMs and e-centres across the Northeast.

As part of the campaign, the bank has started branding its ATMs and e-centres themed on saving endangered wildlife, especially the rhinos of the state, which fall prey to poachers every year.

"We will renovate at least 15 ATMs and e-centres in the state headquarters, including towns such as Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. Pictures and articles depicting wildlife and nature will be put up in these special centres to make people aware of the importance of protecting endangered animals," P.V.S.L.N. Murty, chief general manager of SBI (Northeast circle) told The Telegraph.

Murty inaugurated the first such renovated e-centre at Rukmininagar here this morning.

"The theme save rhino, save forests, save water, apart from pictures of rhinos and forests inside the ATMs/e-centres and eco-friendly articles such as bamboo benches and a slice of greenery will give visitors a feel of nature and help create an awareness on wildlife protection and nature conservation," Murty said.

SBI has over 3,000 ATMs across the Northeast circle.

"Apart from this, pictures of local dance forms will be displayed at the entrance of the new branches of the bank across the region to give clients a local feel," he said.

As it is, SBI already introduced e-centres, cash deposit machines, Internet and mobile banking and app-based banking to promote paperless and eco-friendly services.

Recently, it introduced a unique app, State Bank No Queue, which drastically reduces the waiting time in a branch.