The Corbett Foundation, named after the legendary Jim Corbett, is a registered public charitable trust established on April 22nd 1994 by Mr. Dilip D. Khatau, Chairman & Director of Conservation Corporation of India Pvt Ltd, Mumbai and associated group of companies including the company which owns the Infinity Resorts at Corbett. The trustees include eminent individuals committed to the cause of conservation. The Foundation is mainly funded by Mr. Khatau's companies and associates and receives project grants from national and international organisations. The Corbett Foundation activities are conducted at present under four divisions – Corbett, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Kutch.
 
Interview of Mr. Dilip Khatau, Chairman and Mrs. Rina Khatau, Co-Chair on Channel News Asia
 
 

Chairman's diary...

The year 2010, which is being observed as the 'Year of the Tiger' in China, has so far seen 23 tiger deaths, some natural and many in mysterious circumstances. Tiger skins, bones and other body parts have been siezed by the authorities from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Chattisgarh. Though the efforts taken for these seizures are appreciable, citizens of India and the world would like to see more efforts being taken to prevent the incidences of poaching in the first place. As a country with the largest surviving population of wild tigers, India has a greater responsibiilty to play. It is now a known fact that the tigers in India are facing the greatest crisis of all times. If corrective action is not taken, the day of extinction of this majestic species will be seen in the near future. It is essential that all of us voice our concerns and send SOS messages to the Prime Minister of India and other concerned Central Government and State Government ministries to put a stop to this carnage. We must act NOW.
   

PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus)
Photo courtesy: Mr. Kedar Gore

Indian Flying Fox is not a fox but actually a species of bat found in the Indian subcontinent. A large bat with a wing span of around 4-5 feet, it feeds mainly on fruits and flowers. Flying Foxes are known to feed on several night-blooming flowers such as Ceiba pentandra as seen in the picture below. It is a popular misbelief that bats are blind. In reality, fruit bats can see well. The Flying Foxes roost in large colonies on large trees . Being nocturnal in habits, people tend to have many misconceptions about bats being vampires and thirsty for human blood! In fact, fruit bats act as pollinating agents for plants whereas insect-eating bats act as excellent bio-pest controllers.

 

 

CONSERVATION NEWS

Tiger found dead in Ramnagar Forest Division

August 18, 2010: A 5-year old tiger was found dead near Kotabagh in Ramnagar Forest Division. The carcass, around 6 days old & found in a highly decomposed state, was seen by the villagers and reported to the authorities of Ramnagar Forest Division that is adjoining the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The forest department has sent the viscera for the post mortem. However, not much can be concluded since the internal organs were highly decomposed. The carcass was found around 100 meters from village Syat. But it is surprising that none of the villagers could get the stench earlier...?