State Bank of India has adopted tiger Kanha and tigress Gauri housed in Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal for one year. Bank's Managing Director Rajneesh Kumar presented cheque worth Rs 4 lakh necessary for both wild animals to Van Vihar's Director Dr Atul Kumar Shrivastava. Director gave certificates regarding Kanha and Gaur under Wildlife Adoption Scheme. Bank's CGM KT Ajit was also present on the occasion.
Van Vihar National Park has introduced scheme for adoption of wildlife on January 1, 2009. So far, 58 animals have been adopted. Through it, Van Vihar has received Rs 44.69 lakh. State Bank has been adopting wildlife since year 2010. First of all, the bank had adopted tigress Sita for one year on January 31, 2010. SBI adopted tigress Sita and tiger Kanha continuously from March 2011 to July 2014. The bank has been adopting tiger Kanha and tigress Gauri consecutively since year 2014.
Van Vihar has introduced wildlife adoption scheme to create spirit of goodwill towards wildlife. Under the scheme, individuals, institutions, corporate-public sector undertakings, state government's undertakings etc. can adopt wildlife on monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual basis. Amount for this should be deposited through cheque or draft in the name of Madhya Pradesh Tiger Foundation. Amount paid to adopt animal is exempted from income tax.
Individual or institution adopting animal are given facility to enter once a week on vehicle carrying 6 persons without entry fee. Besides, name plates are also affixed outside adopted animal's enclosure and both entry gates.