Rapid response team gets new wildlife rescue vehicle for Wayanad

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday (October 30, 2025) flagged off a special wildlife rescue vehicle for the Forest department’s rapid response team in Wayanad district, an initiative supported by the JSW Foundation under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme.

According to officials, the ₹50-lakh project was included in the CSR scheme considering the increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict in the district, which is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and shares forest corridors with Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger reserves.

Forest officials said the rescue vehicle would enhance the department’s ability to respond to wildlife emergencies. They added that night vision cameras and safety tools would be provided soon using the additional funds sanctioned under the CSR scheme to aid conservation efforts.

The handover ceremony near the MP’s office was attended by Peddanna Beedala, zonal head (south India), JSW Foundation.