Big Cats of Bandipur, India

Fundraising target: £2,100 +

Funds donated: £3,500

Project:  To help preserve leopard populations in South India around Bandipur and Nagarhole Tiger Reserves. This is one of 21 projects nominated for our 21 For 21 programme.

21 For 21 Project Partner: The Mariamma Charitable Trust

The Mariamma Charitable Trust works hand in hand with communities and other dedicated partners in the protection of wildlife and helping communities in conflict zones live peacefully alongside, and benefit from, the wildlife’s presence.

Find out more about The Mariamma Charitable Trust. 

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About the Mariamma Charitable Trust (MCT)

MCT is based in Southern India, working within a cluster of villages in the eastern part of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Bandipur is home to some 600 tigers and over 8,000 elephants, making it one of India’s most important reserves. In total it is home to 55 critically endangered and 148 endangered species.

Initiatives

MCT’s initiatives include:

Compensation scheme: A swift, generous and transparent compensation scheme made to livestock owners when wildlife kills cattle, goats or sheep. This discourages retaliation killings using poisoned carcasses.

Due to the success of this scheme at Bandipur, the Trust now also covers the adjacent Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, helping protect its populations of tigers and leopard.

Disease Control: A birth control programme for dogs and a vaccination programme, in collaboration with the WWF, to prevent the spread of canine distemper and rabies. The canine distemper virus can kill tigers, rabies is a threat to the villagers.

Medical care: A free medical clinic, a daily nurse and a monthly volunteer doctor to help improve healh and physical well being.

Education & Training: Their latest project is to build and equip an educational and training centre where local women will be trained to use hand looms and produce items they can sell. This reduces their dependence on their livestock and gives cash income to improve their lifestyles.

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^{Images courtesy of MCT}