Ela Foundation

Empowers communities through innovative nature education and conservation initiatives, fostering active environmental stewardship across India.

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About

  • Headquarters

    Pune, Maharashtra

  • Since

    2003

ELA Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit charitable trust based in Pune, India, committed to the cause of environmental conservation and ecolo Read moregical awareness. Founded by Dr. Satish Pande—an eminent interventional radiologist, ornithologist, and Fellow of the Linnean Society of London—the organization seamlessly integrates science, education, and community engagement to protect India’s rich biodiversity. ELA’s primary focus lies in habitat conservation, wildlife research, and environmental education. Through its numerous outreach programs, awareness campaigns, and workshops, the foundation has actively engaged with school children, youth, rural communities, forest officials, and civil servants to foster a culture of coexistence with nature. The foundation also undertakes critical research in collaboration with academic institutions and publishes valuable scientific literature to support conservation efforts, including the renowned 'Bird Files' series and the Ela Journal. ELA Habitat, a core initiative of the foundation, is dedicated to identifying, restoring, and preserving endangered habitats across the country. By incorporating citizen science activities such as bird walks and biodiversity surveys, ELA empowers individuals to participate in environmental stewardship. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Pande, ELA Foundation continues to expand its impact by building strategic partnerships with government bodies, civic authorities, and other environmental organizations. With its unique blend of grassroots action and scientific expertise, ELA Foundation stands as a pioneering force in India’s conservation movement, striving to inspire a deeper public commitment to ecological balance and sustainability.

Programs

  • Women’s Empowerment

    Ela Foundation’s Women’s Empowerment Initiative educates and engages girls and women in environmental conservation through hands-on learning and active participation. It offers tailored health care services at the rural “Prakruti” health center in Pingori, focusing on women’s wellness. The program also hosts workshops centered on the theme “Women and Environment,” fostering awareness of ecological issues and encouraging stewardship. By combining education, health, and environmental engagement, this initiative empowers women to take leadership roles within their communities and promotes sustainable, gender-inclusive development.

Leadership Team

  • Bhimsen Joshi

    Founder Trustee

  • Prashant Deshpande

    Trustee

  • Chandrashekhar Naniwadekar

    Trustee

  • Sanjay Khatavkar

    Trustee

Demographics & Structure

  • No. of Employees

    21-50

M&E

  • Internal, External Assessors

    No

Policies

  • Ethics and Transparency Policies

    No

  • Formal CEO Oversight & Compensation Policy

    No

Political & Religious Declarations

  • On Affiliation if any

    No

  • On Deployment Bias if any

    No

Registration Details

  • Registration ID

    136

  • VO ID / Darpan ID

    MH/2018/0213569

  • FCRA

    Not Available

  • CSR Registration Number

    Not Available

Location

  • Headquarters

    C-9, Bhosale Park,Sahakarnagar-2 Pune 411009, India

    Directions

Other Details

  • Type & Sub Type

    Non-profit
    Trust