The Corbett Foundation (Tiger Conservation Foundation for CTR) is meant to work for conservation of biodiversity, wildlife protection, developing relations with locals and basically facilitating the welfare of the wildlife, locals and staff in Corbett tiger reserve.
However, while the foundation has neither acquired property nor appointed staff apart from an administrative officer, the majority of the Rs 18 lakh received in donations was spent on various tasks like hosting invited guests and publicity as part of Corbett’s platinum jubilee celebrations in 2011. This was revealed in reply to information sought about the various aspects of the foundation under Right To Information Act.
People For Animals, Uttarakhand member secretary Gauri Maulekhi had sought information about the foundation under the RTI Act in response to which she was informed by CTR that though no employee has been appointed specifically in the foundation, an administrative officer has been deputed to it. The foundation is in its initial stage and has not acquired any movable-immovable property,
states the reply.
The foundation had received donations totaling to Rs 18 lakh from four donors including WWF, Hydro Electric, Chamoli district, SJVNl general manager Dehradun and NHPCl general manager Dehradun. Of this, a total of Rs17,58,437 was spent on the platinum jubilee celebrations under various heads including Rs6,76,004 on food and travel expenses of guests, Rs5,17,719 on advertisement, Rs2,51,930 on the tent and temporary structure for the programme, Rs61,000 on cultural programme and stage construction, Rs46,853 on stationery, Rs41,100 on photography, Rs40,111 on prizes and mementos given on conclusion of the programme, Rs39,440 on flex, Rs30,000 on publicity through vehicles and Rs19,600 on dresses for school children among other expenses.
According to Maulekhi, the foundation has failed to work towards its intended aim and has already spent most of the donations received on works which are not directly
benefiting the wildlife.