Our Story
Buffer Conflict Resolution Trust of India
The Buffer Conflict Resolution Trust of India (BCRTI) is a nonprofit organisation addressing conflicts within the buffer regions of our protected forests. By using eco-tourism as a tool for conservation and conflict resolution, we create healthy dialogue with the local people and communities, leading to mutual respect and trust. Through this, we arrive closer to peaceful co-existence.
At BCRTI we define conservation as a win-win for all living creatures in the eco-biosphere. We focus on various conflicts within the buffer regions of Nagarhole & Bandipur National Parks. The absence of a stand-alone Conservation Law in India has frozen a much-needed dialogue between all the players, making it difficult to find a win-win for all.
Man-Official Conflict
Local conflict has had severe repercussions, one of them being displaced anger against animals. At BCRTI, we study the reasons and find and implement solutions in the field. It was only after the British introduced exclusionary forest management policies that we saw a spike in the man-animal conflict. At BCRTI, we devote time and energy to resolve this conflict.
Laws Needed for Conflict Resolution
There is a danger of not having one consolidated comprehensive conservation law but numerous laws, working separately, trying to address the same issue. In such a scenario, fixing responsibility remains a challenge.
We need a stand-alone government division heading the conservation policy of each state as well as our country. It would be ideal if all other existing departments report to this controlling office. There will then be a united purpose and sharing of vision. Once the concept of conservation is accepted by all players, the voice of the affected people in the field, and scientists representing the animal world, must also be represented in the final solution. This will lead to solutions that are practical and a policy that is dependent on ground-level reality.
Social Conflicts
Casteism, Gender Violence, Female Infanticide, Untouchability, Alcoholism are some of the social banes addressed at BCRTI. This intricate relationship between the wildlife, officials and the locals is the key to success and at BCRTI we work tirelessly to ensure harmony in all aspects.
Trustees
Shaaz Jung
One of the most knowledgable naturalists Nagarhole has to offer, Shaaz’s work in Kabini has gained international recognition and he is the first to make a National Geographic feature film in the area.
As the Ambassador for Nikon, Samsung and Manfrotto, Shaaz spends most of his time in the wilderness, shuttling between the jungles of South India and East Africa.
His passion for wildlife and leopards has earned him the title of one of the most reknowned wildlife photographers in the world.
Trustee
Saad Bin Jung
Saad Bin Jung was born into the Paigah Family of Hyderabad State and the Royalty of Bhopal and Pataudi.
A former Indian cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1978 to 1984, he is now a conservationist and lives in his village of Mangala near Bandipur in Karnataka, India, whilst his children manage his wildlife resort, The Bison, on the Kabini River n South India.
Saad has a deep passion for wildlife and conservation and runs eco-conscious safari operations in India and Africa.
Founding Trustee
TrusteeZoha Jung
Actively involved in her family business of safari operations, Zoha has spent most of her life in the wilderness of India & Africa, surrounded by animals, both domestic and wild.
She dabbled in equitation at a young age and consequently developed a deep love for horses. Driven by her passion for animals and all things equine, Zoha started The Backwater Sanctuary early in 2018 as part of BCRTI.
Who We Are
A family with a passion for wildlife and animal welfare, Zoha stands at the forefront as the most active member of BCRTI.
While addressing the numerous man-animal conflicts in the buffer zones and building a close relationship with the local communities in the area, Zoha also started The Backwater Sanctuary (an equine rescue and rehabilitation centre in Kabini) as part of BCRTI, to address the man-animal conflict with working equines and ungulates.
Through the resident rescues at the sanctuary, Zoha invites local communities in the buffer areas to interact and work closely with these animals as a stepping stone to create empathy and build harmony with all animals.
“It is, after all, through empathy, that we slowly start to understand and respect other species. Empathy and compassion are our driving forces toward building peaceful coexistence between man and animal and our rescued animals are at the forefront of this mission.” - Zoha