BELAKU

"On the occasion of World Elephant Day, the Rotaract Club of Bangalore Jayanagar and our sister club, the Rotaract Club of Atria Institute of Technology, jointly carried out a meaningful initiative on August 14, 2025, under Rotaract District 3191’s community service initiative Belaku. While the district provided the solar lamps, the role of the clubs was to identify deserving beneficiaries and ensure the lamps reached them.

The beneficiaries identified were 26 night watchers stationed in the Bannerughatta Biological Park region. These individuals play a critical role as first responders in human-elephant conflict zones, dedicating their lives to steering elephants away from villages and cities, thereby protecting both human lives and wildlife. Despite the significance of their work, it often goes unrecognized and is carried out under extremely challenging conditions, especially at night without reliable lighting.

The solar-powered lamps provided through this initiative will significantly improve the night watchers’ ability to monitor elephant movement, enhance their personal safety, and reduce dependence on battery-operated or fuel-based lighting. Beyond being a source of light, the lamps offered them dignity, convenience, and much-needed support in performing their vital duties.

This initiative not only empowered the night watchers but also underscored the importance of peaceful human-wildlife coexistence. By coming together as clubs and leveraging the support of the district, we were able to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts while honoring the spirit of World Elephant Day. This project stands as a testament to the Rotaract spirit of service, empathy, and collaboration, showing how even small steps can create lasting impact."