# Barmer Villagers Build Self-Funded Wildlife Refuge, Saving Over 1,000 Animals And Birds Since Pandemic > Started during the COVID-19 pandemic by local youths in Barmer's Katarla village, the self-funded Amrita Devi Wildlife Rescue Centre now shelters and treats over 1,000 animals and birds. **Type:** article · **Category:** Success Stories · **Published:** 2026-08-03 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/barmer-ke-katarla-ganva-men-graminon-ki-anuthi-pahala-amrita-devi-reskyu-sentara-men-1000-se-adhika-vanyajivon-ko-mila-raha-jivana-13158 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Barmer Wildlife Rescue, Amrita Devi Wildlife Rescue Centre, Katarla Village Barmer, Dhorimanna Wildlife, Rajasthan Animal Rescue In the Katarla village of Barmer district, Rajasthan, a community initiative born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a major refuge for distressed desert wildlife. What started as an emergency effort by local youths to save helpless animals has now expanded into the Amrita Devi Wildlife Rescue Centre, providing medical treatment and sanctuary to over 1,000 animals and birds. ## Villagers Step In After Lack of Official Support The sanctuary was formed during the coronavirus pandemic, when local youths noticed that numerous injured and sick animals were dying in the region due to a total lack of timely veterinary care. The turning point came following a deer poaching incident in Katarla village. Shocked by the event, residents appealed to the police and local administration to intervene and establish a formal rescue facility to protect local fauna. When official help failed to materialize, the community decided to take matters into their own hands. Katarla resident Sagram Khileri donated one bigha of land along the roadside to house the facility. The community then formally established the Amrita Devi Wildlife Conservation Institute. According to Jagdish Bhadu, president of the institute, the lack of government assistance drove villagers to unite and build the organization themselves. Today, the facility operates continuously through the active cooperation of 29 local residents and financial contributions from regional donors and philanthropists. ## A Safe Haven for Over 1,000 Desert Creatures Situated just 8 kilometers from the Dhorimanna sub-divisional headquarters, the rescue center now serves as a critical sanctuary in the arid desert region. The center currently shelters more than 1,000 animals and birds. Its current resident population includes approximately 125 deer, 400 pigeons, 15 rabbits, 1 duck, 2 swans, alongside several turtles, peacocks, and various other local species. Whenever an animal is reported injured or stranded anywhere in the surrounding areas, local volunteers respond to rescue and transport it to the shelter. ## Medical Treatment, Wild Release, and Permanent Care According to Ramjeevan, a long-serving caretaker at the shelter, most animals brought to the center have suffered injuries from vehicular accidents on nearby roads, attacks by wild predators, or poaching attempts. Upon arrival, the animals receive dedicated medical care and nursing. Once they recover fully and regain their strength, healthy animals are released back into their natural habitats. However, animals that suffer permanent physical disabilities or severe injuries that leave them incapable of surviving independently in the wild are given permanent shelter. For these creatures, the rescue center serves as a lifelong home where they receive continuous care, food, and protection. ## What this means for you **Across India:** This initiative demonstrates how local communities can successfully mobilize to protect wildlife without relying on government aid. **In Rajasthan (Barmer):** Injured and stranded desert wildlife in and around Barmer now receive immediate medical care and a safe sanctuary following accidents or poaching attempts. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Where is the Amrita Devi Wildlife Rescue Centre located? The rescue center is located in Katarla village, situated 8 kilometers from the Dhorimanna sub-divisional headquarters in Barmer district, Rajasthan. ### 2. When and why was the rescue center started? It was started during the COVID-19 pandemic after local youths took action when injured wildlife died due to a lack of medical care and official assistance. ### 3. How many animals are currently sheltered at the rescue center? The center currently shelters over 1,000 animals and birds, including roughly 125 deer, 400 pigeons, 15 rabbits, 1 duck, 2 swans, turtles, and peacocks. ### 4. Who donated the land for the wildlife center? Sagram Khileri, a resident of Katarla village, donated one bigha of roadside land for setting up the rescue center. ### 5. Does the rescue center receive government financial funding? No, the center is run entirely without government funding through the contributions of 29 local villagers and community patrons. ## Inspiration & Lessons **Inspiration & Lessons:** - **Take Community Initiative:** The residents of Katarla proved that citizen action can solve urgent environmental and social challenges without waiting for administrative assistance. - **Small Starts Lead to Big Impact:** An emergency effort launched during the pandemic has grown into a major rescue center safeguarding over 1,000 creatures. - **Power of Collective Action:** Through the sustained support of 29 local residents and local donors, a community-run sanctuary can operate successfully long-term. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._