Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the WMG Foundation to support an environmental restoration programme within the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. The initiative focuses on rehabilitating degraded forest areas by removing Lantana camara, an invasive plant species that has disrupted the region’s natural ecosystem and contributed to increased human–wildlife interactions. The MoU was formally exchanged by Roshan R, General Manager – Corporate Social Responsibility, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, in the presence of Apoorva Angadi V M, Head, WMG Foundation.
Large sections of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve have been affected by Lantana camara, which currently occupies an estimated 50–60 percent of the reserve’s core and buffer zones. The spread of this invasive species has limited the growth of native grasses, reduced grazing resources for herbivores, disrupted wildlife corridors, and increased the movement of tigers towards nearby human settlements.
In line with Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, the programme will support the systematic removal of Lantana camara followed by habitat restoration measures. These efforts will allow native plant species to regenerate, improving food availability for herbivores such as deer, gaur, and elephants, and strengthening the prey base for tigers. Restoring natural vegetation is expected to stabilise tiger territories and reduce the likelihood of animals straying into human habitations.
To ensure long-term impact, TKM will provide maintenance support over a two-year period. This will include regular weeding to prevent re-infestation, targeted planting in low-survival zones, strengthening of fire lines before the summer season, and ongoing monitoring of wildlife activity in restored areas.
Commenting on the initiative, Sudeep Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice President and Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “The NammaVana Project reflects Toyota’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation. Through this initiative, we aim to restore forest habitats, reinforce wildlife corridors, and reduce human–wildlife conflict in one of Karnataka’s most important natural reserves. We believe that meaningful conservation outcomes are achieved through collaborative and community-led efforts.”
For over two decades, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has undertaken community-focused initiatives across education, environmental conservation, road safety, skill development, healthcare, hygiene, and disaster management. Guided by a sustainability-focused CSR approach, the company’s programmes are designed to support inclusive development and long-term environmental and social well-being.
