Foundation Stone Laid for Indrani Balan Interpretation Centre at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
The Punit Balan Group is supporting the new centre at Tala and funding life insurance for around 1,100 people working in and around the reserve. Punit Balan will also provide three vehicles for wildlife patrols.
Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh) : The foundation stone for the Shrimati Indrani Balan Interpretation Centre was laid at Tala in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The centre is being built with support from the Punit Balan Group, which has worked with the reserve since 2021 on initiatives for forest staff welfare and wildlife protection.
The ceremony was attended by MLA Meena Singh, Punit Balan, chairman of the Punit Balan Group, his wife Janhavi Dhariwal-Balan, chairperson and managing director of Manikchand Oxyrich, and Shobha Dhariwal.
Senior Forest Department officials in attendance included B. S. Annigeri, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Development), Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Field Director Dr. Anupam Sahay and Deputy Director Yohan Katara. The reserve’s assistant director, the Tala range forest officer and forest staff also attended, along with representatives of the resort, guide and Gypsy associations.
The group pays an annual premium of approximately 34 lakh to provide life insurance for around 1,100 people, including forest and security personnel, guides, Gypsy Association members and drivers. The group has committed to funding the premiums for the next 10 years.
The initiative is intended to provide financial protection to the families of people whose work supports the reserve. Reserve management said it is working with partner organisations to improve staff welfare and make working conditions safer.
Punit Balan will also provide three Isuzu vehicles to strengthen patrolling and wildlife protection at Bandhavgarh. The process of acquiring the vehicles is underway, and all three are expected to be handed over to the reserve management by the end of November.
“Conserving wildlife and nature is not the responsibility of the Forest Department alone. It is a responsibility we all share. The forest and security personnel who work around the clock to protect our forests and wildlife are the backbone of conservation. Through the Punit Balan Group, we are glad to have the opportunity to make their work safer, provide financial protection for their families and strengthen wildlife protection. We will continue to support these efforts.”
- Punit Balan (Chairman, Punit Balan Group)
“Forest and security personnel work around the clock, often in extremely difficult conditions, to protect wildlife and natural resources. The Puneet Balan Group’s initiative to provide life insurance and vehicles for wildlife patrols is valuable. Support like this boosts staff morale and strengthens wildlife protection. We are grateful to the group for its consistent contribution to conservation at Bandhavgarh over the past five years.”
- Dr. Anupam Sahay (Field Director, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve)
Photo caption : Punit Balan, members of his family and senior Forest Department officials take part in the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Shrimati Indrani Balan Interpretation Centre at Tala in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.
