WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A 2022 report by the World Wildlife Fund revealed a staggering 83% decline in global freshwater vertebrate populations since 1970, a rate far exceeding that of any other habitat.

World Wildlife Fund

• About: It is an international non-governmental organization.
• Established: In 1961 
• Headquarter: In Gland, Switzerland.
• Previously known as the: World Wildlife Fund
• Mission: WWF's mission is to halt the degradation of the planet's natural environment and create a future in which humans coexist harmoniously with nature.
• Objective: To help local communities conserve the natural resources they depend upon; transform markets and policies toward sustainability; and protect and restore species and their habitats.
• Global Reach: The world's largest conservation organization, boasting over five million supporters across 100 countries.

WWF-India Intervention

• About: WWF-India has initiated several conservation projects to integrate conservation efforts with sustainable development.
• Tiger conservation: It has been working on tiger conservation in the Sundarbans since the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973.
• The Climate Witness Project: It was launched in the Sundarbans to document first-hand accounts of climate change from local residents, aiming to enhance understanding of climate impacts and support policy change and advocacy.
• The Climate Adaptation Programme: Initiated in 2011, is crucial for the people of Sundarbans to adapt to the evolving climatic conditions and their impacts to ensure survival in the region.