Gandhinagar, January 13, 2015:Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) entered into a strategic partnership with the Gujarat Government for the conservation of whale shark and coral reefs along the Gujarat coast. WTI signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the Gujarat Forest Department on January 13, 2015, during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, in Gandhinagar. Dr CN Pandey, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), represented the Gujarat Forest Department while Dr Jagadish Kishwan, Chief Advisor, Policy signed the MoU on behalf of WTI.

Dr Jagdish Kishwan signing the MoU with the
Gujarat Forest Dept. Photo:WTI

Before the MoU signing ceremony, officials of Gujarat Government gave away certificates of recognition to the organisations who have expressed interest in conservation related activities in the State. The certificate distribution function was chaired by Hon’ble Bachubhai Khabad, Minister, Fisheries, Forests and Environment. The event was hosted by Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) in its Gandhinagar campus.

Dr Kishwan handing over the conservation action report to
Dr CN Pandey. Photo:WTI

“The MoU shows the commitment of the Gujarat Forest Department in protecting the Whale Shark and the coral reefs all along the coast of the State. We are proud to be associated with the State Government in weaving success stories of conservation, like the now well-known ‘Whale Shark and coral reef restoration’, and will always be ready to provide technical assistance in joint conservation ventures,” said Jagdish Kishwan.

WTI launched the Whale Shark Conservation Project in 2004 and the Coral Recovery Programme in 2008 and since then these two projects have achieved phenomenal success in marine conservation in Gujarat. In collaboration with multiple partners, WTI has launched several awareness campaigns that have brought sea change in people’s, especially the fishing community’s, perception towards marine biodiversity.