From the desk of Secretary General & CEO

WWF-India’s work continues to grow, both in content and in geographical presence across the country. As challenges to conservation increase, get more acute every year, as a result of globalization and the growth of the Indian economy, WWF-India rises to address some of these challenges. This is attempted mostly in relation to the challenges reflected in contemporary India, yet within the dimension of the organisation to find some answers to the future.

Some salient points emerged on reflection of our work in 2006. First, we found that our strategy of simultaneous partnerships was successful. The positive response that we received after forming some of these bonds were very valuable for conservation and policy delivery and in a way reflects the way ahead for a number of conservation objectives. Secondly, our own capacities increased as a result of dedicated work of our teams, in a combination of leadership and field experience. This, combined with the dedication of our conservationists and enhanced team work, gives us confidence that we can deliver results for conservation in multiple locations and sometimes difficult circumstances. As a result of the above WWF-India's path on the dual strategy of field work combined with policy recommendation continues to shape a lot of it’s future interventions and initiatives.

Given the foundation of our landscape level strategy, WWF-India initiated new projects in the Southern Western Ghats and in Sikkim and scaled up our conservation work in the Nilgiri landscape. TRAFFIC India–the wildlife trade monitoring arm of WWF and IUCN was reintroduced within our programmes in the last quarter of 2006. Our initiative for the Ganges river Dolphin, the initiation of a gharial conservation programme in partnership with three state governments, institutions and individuals will bring a positive change for these and other riverine species. Our work for other flagship species – the tiger, the elephant and the rhino is continuing together with the involvement of local communities and government agencies. Again, teamwork and networking with individuals and agencies across India will make the underlying difference for conservation delivery and WWF-India will pursue this thread in all our programmes.

Another new area of our work has been the issue of sustainable trade and how the Indian corporate sector can rise to the challenges of managing profitability and environmental concerns while addressing their quest for global leadership. This issue is addressed by our report – Indian Companies in the 21st Century – which was released in New Delhi in December. A work of the Trade and Investment programme of WWF, the report elucidates how 21st century presents an opportunity for Indian companies to bring about innovation in the way they conduct their business while ensuring sustainability. We also highlight our efforts for the sustainable development of the Sunderbans – where we built a “School of Hope”, our work on the Gangotri Glacier, turtle conservation efforts in Orissa, conservation festivals and other such initiatives. Education and creating awareness about the environment, the long running programme of WWF-India is woven into all locations of our work, either in engagements with local communities or in student specific programmes.

The year also witnessed the launch of the Living Planet Report 2006 in Hindi. This was a first for WWF-India and with it we hope to reaffirm our commitment to reach out to a broader section of civil society.

In all, the work of WWF-India is both varied and large in its coverage. The Annual Review highlights some specifics of our work and examples of conservation delivery to bring to the reader an idea of our ongoing initiatives and the stories behind them.

The year 2007 brings before us new challenges to enhance our work, to reach out to new areas and to be more effective. In reaching out to a wider and higher plane, our work of past years and the dedication of our team will leverage our targets for the future. As ever, my thanks and appreciation goes out to my team that continues, despite tremendous challenges, to deliver towards our conservation mission.



Ravi Singh
Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India