Mitrra
Mitrra
Together we can create a sustainable future for all living beings. Join our mission to conserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems.
Mitrra Environment And Wildlife Society is a grassroots conservation organization based in Karnataka, India. Founded with a deep love for nature, we work tirelessly to protect wildlife, restore ecosystems, and inspire communities to live in harmony with the natural world.
Our vision is a greener, more sustainable world — where every forest, river, and creature thrives alongside humanity.
Protecting endangered species and their natural habitats
Restoring degraded ecosystems and reducing pollution
Safeguarding the rich variety of life on our planet
Building the next generation of environmental leaders
Nine interconnected pillars that form the foundation of our conservation mission.
Protecting and restoring India's vital forest ecosystems through plantation drives, anti-deforestation advocacy, and community forest management.
Rescue, rehabilitation, and monitoring of endangered species. Anti-poaching patrols and wildlife corridor preservation.
Restoring rivers, protecting wetlands, and promoting sustainable water usage in communities and agriculture.
Plastic-free campaigns, community composting, and responsible waste disposal programs in urban and rural areas.
Promoting eco-friendly practices, green energy adoption, and sustainable agriculture among local communities.
School outreach, nature camps, and awareness campaigns that inspire the next generation of conservationists.
Scientific surveys, species documentation, and habitat studies to guide evidence-based conservation efforts.
Carbon sequestration projects, climate advocacy, and building community resilience against climate change impacts.
Conducting intensive training programmes and emergency response workshops on wildlife rescue and medical care. Establishing dedicated research centres and field training camps to build skilled conservation teams — equipping volunteers, veterinarians, and forest staff with the knowledge to respond swiftly and effectively to wildlife emergencies and advance the science of environmental conservation.
Restoring native forest cover in degraded areas of the Western Ghats with 50,000+ native tree species planted.
24/7 wildlife rescue operations covering 5 districts. Rescued and rehabilitated over 200 animals including leopards, birds, and reptiles.
Multi-phase river cleaning and awareness campaign along Chaliyar River, removing plastic waste and restoring riverine habitats.
Taking environmental education to 50+ schools across Malappuram and Kozhikode districts, reaching 15,000+ students.
Systematic bird surveys and conservation of critically important nesting sites for migratory and endemic bird species.
Hands-on workshops for farmers, youth, and women's groups on sustainable practices and biodiversity stewardship.
Glimpses from our field work and the magnificent wildlife we protect.
Annual celebration with tree plantation, eco-pledges, and cultural programs promoting environmental awareness across communities.
Expert-guided bird watching expedition in Silent Valley National Park. Learn to identify 50+ species of endemic and migratory birds.
Submit your best wildlife and nature photographs. Top entries displayed at the Mitrra Annual Conservation Exhibition.
A guided nature walk through forest trails followed by hands-on eco-craft and sustainable living workshop for families.
📌 Highlighted = Event days
View Full CalendarOur volunteers are the heartbeat of Mitrra
Your time and passion can make a real difference for wildlife and ecosystems. Join our family of dedicated volunteers.
Be part of something bigger. Choose a membership plan that fits your commitment to conservation.
Every rupee directly supports our conservation projects on the ground.
Our researchers document a new tiger corridor connecting two protected reserves in Karnataka — a breakthrough for big cat conservation.
The story of our Chaliyar River project — and the 320 volunteers who gave their Sunday mornings to restore a lifeline.
New survey data confirms the ecological richness of Karnataka's forests, with 12 rare and threatened bird species documented.
"Volunteering with Mitrra has been the most meaningful experience of my life. Seeing a rescued leopard return to the forest changed me forever."
"The eco-education program Mitrra ran at our school completely transformed how our students think about nature. Truly inspiring work."
"I've supported many NGOs, but Mitrra's transparency and on-ground impact is unmatched. Every rupee of my donation goes where it matters."
"Being part of the river cleanup was emotionally powerful. Mitrra knows how to turn ordinary people into environmental champions."
"The bird watching camp was extraordinary — I spotted 43 species in one day! Mitrra's naturalist guides are world-class."
"Our company's CSR partnership with Mitrra has been incredible. Employees feel genuinely connected to a purpose larger than work."
"Volunteering with Mitrra has been the most meaningful experience of my life. Seeing a rescued leopard return to the forest changed me forever."
"The eco-education program Mitrra ran at our school completely transformed how our students think about nature. Truly inspiring work."
"I've supported many NGOs, but Mitrra's transparency and on-ground impact is unmatched. Every rupee of my donation goes where it matters."
"Being part of the river cleanup was emotionally powerful. Mitrra knows how to turn ordinary people into environmental champions."
"The bird watching camp was extraordinary — I spotted 43 species in one day! Mitrra's naturalist guides are world-class."
"Our company's CSR partnership with Mitrra has been incredible. Employees feel genuinely connected to a purpose larger than work."
Have a question, collaboration idea, or want to get involved? We'd love to hear from you.
Mitrra Mitrra Environment And Wildlife Society, 8th Main Road, Mahalakshmi Layout, Bengaluru- 560086 India
+91 63666 13397
info@mitrra.org | volunteer@mitrra.org
Dive deeper into the natural world. Discover fascinating facts, meet endangered species, pick up eco-tips, trace Mitrra's milestones — and test your nature IQ.
No two tigers have the same stripe pattern — each is entirely unique, just like a human fingerprint. Scientists use this to identify and track individuals in the wild.
Trees share nutrients and communicate danger through an underground fungal network called the "Wood Wide Web" — mycorrhizal fungi linking their root systems.
Butterflies have taste sensors on their feet, allowing them to immediately identify if a leaf is suitable food for their caterpillars just by landing on it.
Elephants have the largest brain of any land mammal and can recognise over 200 individual members of their species by voice alone, even after years of separation.
Wetlands filter pollutants, recharge groundwater, store carbon, and support 40% of all species. India has lost over 30% of its wetlands since 1970.
India is one of the world's top birding destinations, home to over 1,300 species — 12% of the planet's total, including 78 endemic species found nowhere else.
Listed as one of Earth's 8 "hottest" biodiversity hotspots, the Western Ghats harbour more than 7,402 species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species, and 508 bird species.
Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are responsible for approximately one-third of global food production. Their decline directly threatens human food security.
The ocean is Earth's largest carbon sink, absorbing nearly 10 gigatons of CO₂ per year. But this is acidifying the ocean, threatening coral reefs and marine life.
India's diverse habitats — from rainforests to deserts — support 521 reptile species, including the King Cobra, the world's longest venomous snake, found throughout the Western Ghats.
Scientists estimate extinction rates today are 100–1,000 times higher than pre-human baselines — primarily driven by habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change.
Wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone famously changed river courses. When given space, nature can recover dramatically. Karnataka's Project Tiger has helped double tiger numbers since 1973.
India's apex predator. Fewer than 3,200 remain in the wild. Karnataka's Nagarhole and Bandipur are critical strongholds. Project Tiger has stabilised numbers since 1973.
Karnataka hosts the largest population of Asian elephants in India. They require vast home ranges of up to 60 km² and are keystone species shaping entire forest ecosystems.
The most adaptable big cat in India, the leopard thrives in forests, farmlands, and even city outskirts. Highly threatened by human-wildlife conflict and habitat fragmentation.
India's national bird and a symbol of Karnataka's rich wildlife. The male's iridescent 200-feathered train is used purely for display — not flight. Sacred across many cultures.
One of the rarest primates in the world, found only in fragmented Western Ghats rainforests. Fewer than 3,500 survive. A flagship species for Ghats conservation.
Called the "farmer of the forest," the Great Hornbill disperses seeds of hundreds of tree species. Found in the Western Ghats and Northeast India. State bird of Kerala & Arunachal Pradesh.
Indian vulture populations crashed 97% in 10 years due to the veterinary drug diclofenac. These nature's undertakers prevent disease spread and are vital ecosystem cleaners.
A jewel of Karnataka's rivers — its brilliant azure plumage inspired the aerodynamics of the Shinkansen bullet train. A key indicator of healthy river ecosystems.
Small daily choices add up to enormous change. Here are practical, science-backed actions anyone in Karnataka — or anywhere — can take right now.
Native plants need 75% less water and support 4× more local wildlife than exotics. Try Arali, Neem, or Honge trees — all native to Karnataka.
🌱 Supports 100+ insect speciesA single plastic bag takes 500–1,000 years to decompose and kills marine wildlife. Keep cloth bags in your vehicle and bag-pack so you're never caught without one.
🌊 Saves ~1,000 plastic bags/yearClean water and safe nesting spots are scarce in cities. A simple clay pot as a bird bath can support 20+ species in your area and takes less than 30 minutes to set up.
🦅 Attracts 20+ bird species30% of what goes to landfill is food waste that produces methane — 80× more potent than CO₂. Home composting turns it into gold for your garden and saves 200 kg of CO₂/year.
♻️ Saves 200 kg CO₂/yearChoose FSC-certified wood and recycled paper. Illegal logging drives 20% of global CO₂ emissions and destroys 15 billion trees annually. Your purchase is a vote.
🌳 Protects ancient forestsAnimal agriculture uses 70% of all agricultural land and produces 14.5% of global greenhouse gases. Skipping meat twice a week saves 600 litres of water per meal.
💧 Saves 600L water per mealIf you witness illegal wildlife trade, poaching, or habitat destruction, call the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (1800-11-2526) or Mitrra's helpline. Every report counts.
🚨 Call 1800-11-2526Apps like iNaturalist and eBird let you log wildlife sightings. Your data contributes directly to conservation science. Karnataka has over 80,000 species waiting to be documented.
📊 Your data = real scienceCrackers release 1,000× more PM2.5 than normal air; synthetic Holi colours contain toxic heavy metals. Go for organic colours and silent celebrations to protect wildlife and human health.
🌬️ Reduces PM2.5 dramaticallyMitrra's tree adoption programme lets you sponsor a sapling in a restoration zone, receive growth updates, and earn a certificate. It costs as little as ₹150 to change a forest's future.
🌳 ₹150 plants one treeBengaluru's vehicles emit 2.5 million tonnes of CO₂ yearly. Using BMTC or carpooling just 3 days a week cuts your personal transport emissions by over 40%.
🚌 40% emission reductionResearch shows children who spend time in nature become lifelong conservationists. Take a child to Bannerghatta, Cubbon Park, or any green space this weekend — no lesson plan needed.
🧒 Future conservationistsEvery purchase directly funds our on-ground conservation work — from planting trees in the Western Ghats to rescuing injured wildlife. Shop with purpose. Every rupee makes a difference.
Since 2010, Mitrra has grown from a small group of passionate volunteers into one of Karnataka's most active conservation organisations. Here are the milestones that shaped our journey.
A small group of wildlife enthusiasts in Bengaluru came together with a shared vision: protect Karnataka's forests and wildlife for future generations. Mitrra was registered as an NGO and held its first awareness walk in Cubbon Park.
Partnering with the Forest Department, Mitrra completed its first large-scale plantation drive along the Bannerghatta–Cauvery wildlife corridor, restoring degraded scrubland with native species including Neem, Honge, and Indian Rosewood.
Mitrra established a 24-hour wildlife rescue response cell in Bengaluru — the first civilian-run rescue network in the city. In its first year, the cell responded to over 200 calls involving birds, reptiles, and small mammals in distress.
The Karnataka Forest Department recognised Mitrra's anti-poaching awareness campaigns with the State Wildlife Conservation Award — the first time a grassroots organisation received the honour in this category.
Mitrra's school outreach programme completed visits to 100 government and private schools across Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Hassan districts, reaching over 50,000 students with hands-on nature education workshops.
Recognising the rapid decline of pollinators, Mitrra launched a Butterfly Garden initiative in residential areas, schools, and parks across Bengaluru. Within 18 months, 25 certified butterfly gardens were documented hosting 60+ species.
Mitrra celebrated a landmark: 50,000 trees planted across Karnataka. The milestone sapling was planted at the Cauvery Valley Restoration Project in partnership with local farmers and the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat.
Mitrra received a National Biodiversity Award from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for outstanding community-led conservation, particularly for its Western Ghats citizen science documentation project.
Mitrra unveiled its bilingual (Kannada & English) digital nature encyclopedia — a living reference covering 200+ species of birds, animals, insects, and butterflies found in Karnataka and India, freely accessible to students and researchers.
Mitrra today stands at 500+ active volunteers, 14 years of conservation work, 20 active wildlife projects, and a growing network of schools, communities, and forest departments across Karnataka and beyond. The mission continues.