On the occasion of International Tiger Day and as a collaborative commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable farming practices, Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis presided over the MoU signing event between BAIF Development Research Foundation and the Forest Department, Maharashtra for implementation of the Jal Samruddhi Project in 17 villages of Parseoni block of Nagpur district with the support of HDFC Bank Parivartan on July 29, 2026 in Nagpur. Mr. Fadnavis stated that this collaborative project between the Forest Department and Development Organisations is significant for ensuring sustainable development of communities living in fringe areas and will serve as the base for impactful partnerships in the future.
The non-financial MoU was signed by Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, BAIF and Dr. Raviraj Jadhav, Vice President and Regional Director – West, BAIF and Mr. Tushar Chavan, IFS, Field Director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve and Mr. Ashish Pilani, President, Sahyadri Wildlife Foundation and aims at sustainable agriculture, water conservation, natural resources management, wildlife-friendly farming, reducing crop losses caused by wildlife and strengthening livelihoods of more than 2000 families living in buffer villages through technical support, training of farmers and community engagement.
The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Mr. Ganesh Naik, Hon. Cabinet Minister, Forest, Government of Maharashtra, Mr. M. Srinivasa Rao, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Maharashtra State, Mr. Ramesh Kumar, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, Pench Tiger Reserve, Mr. Shailesh Bhagat, Chief Programme Manager, BAIF and HDFC senior officials – Mr. Amit Lad, Zonal Head, Mr. Sushant Bhange, Zonal Head, Mr. Pavan Dongare, CSR Head and Mr. Satyendra Singh, Branch Manager. Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, Minister of State for Home and School Education, Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, Minister of State for Labour, Mr. Sumit Wankhede, MLA, Arvi constituency, Wardha district and Representatives from Bhutan, Cambodia and Bangladesh were also present on this occasion which was held at IIM Nagpur.
