As we set out on an exciting agenda for 2024, we look at our milestones, large and small, to put together the Sanctuary 2023 Impact Report. The report is also a glimpse into the commitment and ethos that has guided over four decades of our efforts at the tri-junction of biodiversity, economics and climate change. You can download the entire report or flip through the document right here at the bottom of the page!
Sanctuary Asia magazine, launched in 1981 followed by Sanctuary Cub in 1984, continues to work relentlessly to inspire, create appreciation for nature, and present diverse voices on important conservation issues. Sanctuary Asia’s six issues in 2023 highlighted burning issues, celebrated successes, brought to light stories from the different corners of India’s wild habitats, and highlighted people working dedicatedly to conserve the planet’s resources and make leaps in the science of conservation. In April 2023, Sanctuary published a special issue on The Great Nicobar, addressing the threats to the biodiversity and people of the island in lieu of the upcoming mega project planned by the government. In October 2023, we published another special issue, on the theme Rewilding the Planet, addressing the move from theory to practice of this critical solution for protecting nature, and also the human face of rewilding.
Sanctuary Cub, an edition for younger readers, has been inspiring generations of young naturalists ever since it was launched in 1984. This edition actively encourages its readership to contribute to the publication, creating a community of children who are passionate about learning and sharing their explorations of Earth. Children send in articles, book reviews, art, updates on their activities, and letters. In 2023, we added a new section on space to introduce interstellar concepts to children and have been receiving positive feedback on our constant effort to make the magazine interesting and relevant to our youth.
Kids for Tigers, the Sanctuary tiger programme, has been working with educationists for over two decades to nurture ecological intelligence and environmental protection ethics in their wards. Kids for Tigers, Sanctuary’s environmental education programme, is our commitment to show young people that better planet management, and cooperation will offer future food, water, social and economic stability, and prepare us for the trials of life. We continue to extend the programme to more cities and work with educators and students to shape them to become environmental leaders and planet protectors. The offshoots of this programme – the Ranthambhore Village Contact Programme and the Bagh Sankalp and Bagh Bachao Initiative in Sundarban and Kolkata are focused efforts that are seeking to improve the lives of women and children in villages surrounding the tiger reserves.
Our GreenKarbon Programme is working with several colleges to educate and empower young adults to work toward climate change action.
The Mud on Boots project, with the backing of donors, supports a diverse network of grassroots project leaders working 24x7 within their own communities across India. Since its inception in 2017, the Mud on Boots Project has supported over 34 grassroots conservationists from 15 different states and one Union Territory in India.
Launched in 2015, Sanctuary’s COCOON Conservancy project is a rewilding initiative linked to the Global Rewilding Alliance network of more than 130 organisations, seeking to rewild the Earth and stabilise the climate where restored wild lands and seas provide a secure future for people, nature and the planet.
On the evening of December 1, 2023, the Sanctuary Wildlife Service and Photography Awards were presented at the iconic National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, with the acclaimed theatre and film actor Zafar Karachiwala playing host to an audience of over a thousand Sanctuary Nature Foundation supporters. This year’s awards were also graced by the ethereal Zeenat Aman, who has been a keen supporter of environmental conservation issues.
Sanctuary has continued to publish our magazine digitally every month on the dot, putting out a monthly newsletter (launched in 2020) that is sent out to just under 15,000 recipients. Sanctuary’s networks on Instagram (135K followers), Facebook (302K followers), YouTube (10K subscribers), WhatsApp and email reach out to over half a million citizens across the world. Sanctuary collaborated with Sarmaya Arts Foundation, The Plated Project, Loopify, and Animal Planet.
From our magazine to our projects – our shared goal remains the same. Fighting for basic rights to breathe clean air, drink clean water, eat healthy food, and build a sustainable society that is equitable toward all human and non-human denizens of our blue planet.
As one of India’s leading environmental organisations, the Sanctuary Nature Foundation (registered in 2015), is committed in its mission to protect our wildernesses and to create a safe, healthy and equitable world. And in this, we seek your continued support in 2024. It is the support of readers and well-wishers such as yourself that we are able to do what we do.
Please note: The Sanctuary Nature Foundation is a section 8 Company registered under the Indian Companies Act, 2013 and Section 12A of Income Tax Act, 1961. All donations are eligible for tax deduction under section 80-G.
