Bengaluru :
It’s good that the World Economic Forum (WEF) has recognized the importance of wildlife and conservation, says conservation biologist Krithi Karanth who was recently selected as one of the 187 Young Global Leaders (YGL) of 2015.
Bengaluru-based Krithi said very few wildlife people are selected as YGL. “So I am honoured and excited about being an YGL. This provides new opportunities to engage with the world’s brightest and most creative business leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs to do more for wildlife conservation. For me, the WEF has recognized the importance of wildlife and conservation,” she told TOI on Wednesday.
She is one of the 12 Indians selected as YGL this year.
An associate conservation scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Krithi has worked on several projects like examining human wildlife conflicts in seven states across India, bird and amphibian diversity in coffee-rubber-areca plantations of Karnataka’s Western Ghats, implementation and experiences of families being voluntarily relocated from many parks in India. “We go to villages and listen to their problems like devastation of livestock and crops caused by wildlife, and also discuss the compensation issue. We do a research paper and share it with the forest department.”
According to Krithi, red-tape is delaying compensation reaching people affected by wildlife. “The government should give compensation to the people affected by animals like tigers, leopards and elephants. There should not be any delay in this.”
On frequent elephant-human conflicts in the state, Krithi said elephants need space for their movement. “But their habitats are fragmented,” she added.
SHAPING THE FUTURE
The WEF chose Krithi Karanth as a Young Global Leader for her professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership.
In a letter congratulating her on her nomination, Klaus Schwab, executive chairman and founder of the Forum of YGL, said, “Your nomination is in recognition of your record of professional accomplishments, your commitment to society and your potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through your inspiring leadership.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru / by G S Kumar, TNN / March 26yth, 2015