The International Conference on Human-Elephant Conflict Management (ICHECM), held in Bengaluru in August 2024, was a significant event organized by the Karnataka Forest Department. The dignitaries included CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and the CM’s legal advisor A. S Ponnanna.  The primary objective of the conference was to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and to find workable solutions to mitigate the negative interactions between humans and elephants, particularly within Asian elephant range countries. The conference brought together a diverse group of participants, including forest officials, researchers, and civil society organizations from both India and abroad. The discussions covered a wide array of topics crucial to conflict management, such as habitat improvement, developing early warning systems to alert communities of elephant movements, and promoting community engagement to foster a sense of shared responsibility.

Furthermore, the event delved into the role of technology and policy interventions as tools to reduce human and animal fatalities resulting from this conflict. The Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), played a pivotal role as a knowledge partner along with other organizations like Nature conservation Foundation, Species Survival Commission, WTI, The Shola Trust, WWF, VIDHI Centre for Legal Policy and Arocha for the conference, contributing valuable expertise and research to the proceedings. The collaborative effort highlights a growing, multi-faceted approach to addressing this complex issue.

WRRC is committed to raising public awareness and promoting humane education. The organization uses various platforms to highlight the plight of captive animals and advocate for policy changes.

“Gods in Chains”: One of WRRC’s most impactful projects was the publication of the book “Gods in Chains” in 2005, written by Rhea Ghosh. This book was a landmark investigation into the deplorable conditions of captive elephants in temples, private ownership, and circuses across India. It exposed the cruelty, inadequate housing, and lack of veterinary care these elephants endure. The book was a powerful tool for advocacy, giving insight and solutions to existing problems and winning the Proggy Award from PETA for “Social Cause Book of the Year 2005.” This project exemplifies how WRRC uses in-depth research to drive its awareness campaigns.

On August 2, 2023, Sinhasi Consultants held its first Social Impact Initiative Conference in Bangalore, focusing on social investments, wildlife, and climate change.

Organized by founder Mimi Partha Sarathy, the event aimed to connect corporations, philanthropists, and NGOs to collaborate on environmental projects. The conference highlighted key issues like human-animal conflict and the economic impact of climate change, citing a potential 4.5% GDP loss for India by 2030.

Speakers included Mrs. Suparna Ganguly and Mrs. Sheila Rao from CUPA-WRRC, along with special guests like ecologist Prof. Madhav Gadgil and herpetologist Mr. Romulus Whitaker.