Formed in 1980, the Coorg Wildlife Society is registered charity with the motto ” Pledge to Protect”. The Society’s main activities focus on:
Education and people
CWS’s wildlife program engages members, the general public, school groups, communities and volunteers through our dedicated teams. Our aim is to increase awareness of nature, wildlife and environment across all of Coorg. We also seek to increase knowledge and understanding of wildlife and teach practical habitat management skills.
Policy Overview
CWS has a long history of campaigning to ensure that Government policies and laws help safeguard Coorg’s wildlife. Our aim is to make Coorg a leader in the field of wildlife protection and restoration. By working closely with a wide range of partners, including the government and its agencies, and other conservation organizations, we seek to persuade Government and others to introduce appropriate laws, provide financial incentives and promote wildlife-friendly land management. We have made some progress in recent years but much more needs to be done. Wildlife is under increasing threat from climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable rural land use practices, non-native invasive species, diffuse pollution and the continued mismanagement of our precious aquatic environment. Big challenges lie ahead. We will continue to promote wildlife-friendly policies across many areas including:
- Ecosystem-scale conservation initiatives which help wildlife thrive across whole landscapes not just in small, protected ‘ghettos’
- policies which recognize that the health, wealth and happiness of Kodagu’s people depends on having access to a thriving natural environment
- policies which ensure agriculture and forestry practices enhance rather than damage the environment
- planning policies which safeguard the most important places for wildlife and avoid further fragmenting of natural habitats
- legislation which affords better protection for our damaged aquatic environment
Angling Reserves
The CWS has leased river stretches from the Fisheries Department to promote sport fishing and also simultaneously ensure protection of the Aquatic environment. Initially the Society leased a 28 km stretch of the Cauvery River between Siddapur Bridge and Guddehosur. Recently an additional 95 km of rivers have been leased. The Valnur Fishing Camp has been acknowledged worldwide as one of the few spots where large Mahseer fish are abundantly found. This can be attributed to the sincere efforts of the members, local residents and the river guards over the past three decades.
Governance
CWS is governed by an Executive committee Presided by Mr. K. A. Chengappa. Committee members are elected by the General body for a fixed term. The other office bearers are Mr. K. N. Bose Madappa (Vice President), Mr. C. K. Poovayya (Treasurer), Mr. A. A. Cariappa (Secretary) and Mr. C. P. Aiyapppa. (Assistant Secretary). The other Executive Committee members are Mr. C Geoffrey Muthanna, Mr. I. M. Machaiah, Mr. K.C. Belliappa, Mr. B. Chengappa, Mr. B. A. Poonacha, Mr. C. S. Poovaiah and Mr. K. P.Bopaiah.
Partnerships
CWS has close association with the College of Forestry located in Ponnampet, South Kodagu. It also works with organizations like Kodagu Model Forest Trust (KMFT), Coorg Planters Association, Wildlife First and Kaveri Sene. All these organizations have interests in protecting the environment in the District.
Funding
CWS could not operate without the generous support of its members and supporters. Our principal sources of income are from: membership subscriptions, grant-giving trusts and foundations and sale of CWS memorabilia.