Karnataka Forest Department, WRRC, and Bosch Global Software Technologies collaborate to open the first Elephant Care Facility in the state

Set up a safe and healthy environment for elephants at Lakshmisagara, Kolar District

• The facility is overseen by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), a non-profit organization providing a dedicated team of seasoned veterinarians and mahouts, committed to delivering optimal care to elephants
• BGSW is an instrumental partner, enriching the facility’s essential infrastructure such as a CCTV surveillance network, fencing enclosures, and an off-grid solar-powered system among others
• The The Elephant Care Ecosystem project is a testament to what can be achieved when the government, non-profits, and the corporate sector come together with a shared vision (The Elephant Care Ecosystem project)

The Karnataka Forest Department, in partnership with the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) and Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW), has opened the first Elephant Care Facility in the state. The facility is located in Lakshmisagara, Kolar District and is surrounded by over 100 acres of reserve forest. It has been established in response to the growing number of elephants in private ownership, which are being exploited in captivity.

There are over 180 captive elephants in Karnataka alone, many of whom are subjected to abuse and neglect in private custody. The new facility will provide the rescued elephants with a safe and healthy environment. They will have access to nutritious food, adequate water, as well as a space to walk and socialize. Trained professionals will also provide regular medical care to the elephants.

V Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Kolar, Karnataka Forest Department, said, “The Elephant Care Facility is a historic moment for Karnataka, highlighting the need to address the challenges faced by captive elephants, many of whom have endured hardship and neglect. Our cultural and natural heritage includes these majestic beings, who deserve care, respect, and freedom. This facility is not just a refuge but a commitment to ensuring that every rescued and needy elephant in our state has a chance to thrive in an environment that mirrors their natural habitat as much as possible, providing them with a healthy and natural diet, socialising opportunities, and the chance to indulge in other natural behaviours which aren’t possible in captivity. We are proud to collaborate with WRRC and BGSW in setting a benchmark for ethical wildlife conservation.”

The facility is managed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), a Bengaluru-based non-profit organization. WRRC has a team of experienced veterinarians and mahouts who are dedicated to providing the elephants with the best possible care.

Suparna Baksi Ganguly, Honorable President and Co-founder, WRRC, “Elephants, as majestic and gentle creatures, deserve the utmost dignity and respect. This facility is a testament to our unwavering commitment to their welfare. We are deeply grateful to our partners, Bosch Global Software Technologies and the Karnataka Forest Department, for their dedicated support in making this safe haven a reality. Together, our efforts have set a new precedent for ethical wildlife conservation across the nation.”

Bosch Global Software Technologies is an instrumental partner, enriching the essential foundation by securing the facility through setting up a CCTV surveillance network (2 areas under CCTV surveillance) and fencing enclosures (3000 square ft), an elephant weigh bridge with 10-tonne capacity to understand progress on health parameters, an off-grid solar-powered system to ensure energy self-sufficiency (Hybrid solar Inverter 5KW, 500L capacity solar water heater and 36W solar lights), two container cabins converted into a research and welfare hub to enable wildlife observation and studies, with residential capability, and a training and sensitization hub to promote awareness and capacity building of relevant stakeholders.

“Bosch has been committed to sustainable development of the environment including animal conservation efforts since 2016. Our Corporate Social Responsibility project has helped the Kolar elephant camp to take significant strides towards establishing a safe space for rehabilitation of elephants in need. In this enriched ecosystem elephants can finally be free from pain, suffering and can exercise a greater degree of autonomy in choosing their companions and activities, than they would otherwise. “

Jacob Peter, Executive Board, Senior VP, Mobility R&D, BGSW.

The Elephant Care Ecosystem project is a testament to what can be achieved when the government, non-profits, and the corporate sector come together with a shared vision. It is not just a sanctuary for elephants but also a precedent for wildlife conservation and ethical treatment across the nation.

About BGSW: Bosch Global Software Technologies Pvt Ltd is a 100% owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH, one of the world’s leading global suppliers of technology and services, offering end-to-end Engineering, IT and Business Solutions. With more than 32,000 associates, it’s the largest software development center of Bosch, outside Germany, indicating that it’s the Technology Powerhouse of Bosch in India with a global footprint and presence in US, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. With our unique ability to offer end-to-end solutions that connect sensors, software, and services, we enable businesses to move from the traditional to digital or improve businesses by introducing a digital element in their products and processes. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch-softwaretechnologies.com

About Bosch in India: In India, Bosch is a leading supplier of technology and services in the areas of Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. Additionally, Bosch has in India the largest development center outside Germany, for end to end engineering and technology solutions. The Bosch Group operates in India through twelve companies: Bosch Limited – the flagship company of the Bosch Group in India – Bosch Chassis Systems India Private Limited, Bosch Rexroth (India) Private Limited, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Private Limited, Bosch Automotive Electronics India Private Limited, Bosch Electrical Drives India Private Limited, BSH Home Appliances Private Limited, ETAS Automotive India Private Limited, Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Private Limited, Automobility Services and Solutions Private Limited, Newtech Filter India Private Limited and Mivin Engg.Technologies Private Limited. In India, Bosch set-up its manufacturing operation in 1951, which has grown over the years to include 18 manufacturing sites, and seven development and application centers. The Bosch Group in India employs over 30,000 associates and generated consolidated sales of about ₨.11,781 crores* (1.39 billion euros) in fiscal year 2021-22 of which ₨. 10,264.3 crores* (1.21 billion euros) are from consolidated sales to third parties.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.in

Mobility is the largest Bosch Group business sector. It generated sales of 52.6 billion euros in 2022, and thus contributed almost 60 percent of total sales. This makes the Bosch Group one of the leading automotive suppliers. The Mobility business sector pursues a vision of mobility that is safe, sustainable, and exciting. For its customers, the outcome is integrated mobility solutions. The business sector’s main areas of activity are injection technology and powertrain peripherals for internal-combustion engines, diverse solutions for powertrain electrification, vehicle safety systems, driver-assistance and automated functions, technology for user-friendly infotainment as well as vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, repair-shop concepts, and technology and services for the automotive aftermarket. Bosch is synonymous with important automotive innovations, such as electronic engine management, the ESP anti-skid system, and common-rail diesel technology.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 421,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2022). The company generated sales of 88.2 billion euros in 2022. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT provider, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, Industry 4.0, and connected mobility. Bosch is pursuing a vision of mobility that is sustainable, safe, and exciting. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to facilitate connected living with products and solutions that either contain artificial intelligence (AI) or have been developed or manufactured with its help.
Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 85,500 associates in research and development, of which nearly 44,000 are software engineers.

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