REC Foundation Commits ₹5.43 Crore CSR Grant to Power Anti‑Poaching Camps in Kaziranga with Solar Energy and RO Water Systems
REC Foundation—the CSR arm of REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power—has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Kaziranga Tiger Conservation Foundation (KTCF) to strengthen frontline protection in Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve. The partnership will channel a CSR grant worth ₹5.43 crore toward installing solar power plants and reverse‑osmosis (RO) drinking‑water systems at key anti‑poaching camps across the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The MoA was inked by Ms. Sonali Ghosh, IFS, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve and Chairperson of KTCF, and Shri Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director of REC Foundation, in the presence of Shri Jitendra Srivastava, Chairman & Managing Director, REC Limited. Their shared goal is to equip forest guards with sustainable energy and clean drinking water, enabling round‑the‑clock vigilance against wildlife crime while simultaneously lowering the reserve’s carbon footprint.
Key Features of the Project
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Solar Power Plants
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Each anti‑poaching camp will receive a rooftop or ground‑mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array sized for critical loads—communications equipment, lighting, surveillance cameras and small appliances.
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Off‑grid battery storage will provide uninterrupted power, eliminating reliance on diesel generators and cutting greenhouse‑gas emissions.
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RO Drinking‑Water Systems
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Compact RO units—powered entirely by the new solar installations—will purify surface or bore‑well water to BIS‑approved potable standards.
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Continuous access to safe water will reduce the need for single‑use plastic bottles, supporting India’s Swachh Bharat and Plastic‑Free initiatives.
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Conservation Impact
Kaziranga is home to the world’s largest population of endangered one‑horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers and Asian elephants. However, dense grasslands and flood‑prone terrain demand well‑resourced anti‑poaching camps. By integrating renewable energy and safe‑water technology, REC Foundation’s CSR project will:
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Enhance guard morale and operational efficiency.
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Improve real‑time monitoring through stable power for radio networks and camera traps.
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Cut annual diesel consumption by an estimated 95,000 litres, preventing over 250 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
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Eliminate roughly 1 million plastic bottles per year, curbing micro‑plastic pollution in the Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem.
Strengthening India’s Net‑Zero Vision
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Shri Jitendra Srivastava emphasized, “This initiative exemplifies REC Limited’s commitment to green energy and community development under our CSR mandate. By electrifying anti‑poaching camps with clean power and water, we are safeguarding both wildlife and the wellbeing of those who protect it.”
With the project slated to roll out over the next 12 months, Kaziranga National Park is set to become a model for eco‑friendly wildlife protection—advancing India’s target of achieving net‑zero emissions by 2070 while preserving one of the planet’s most treasured biodiversity hotspots.
