Balconagar, 28th April : Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and part of Vedanta Aluminium, continues to deepen its commitment to animal welfare by fostering a culture of compassion, care, and co-existence. As The Animal Care Organization (TACO), an initiative of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, marks three years of service, BALCO reflects on its growing role in this transformative partnership.
Rooted in the ‘One Health’ vision that emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being, TACO has become a national movement, championing care through its six pillars of shelter, hospital, academy, wildlife conservation, disaster relief, and sector development. As an on-ground partner in this mission, BALCO has helped translate this vision into tangible impact across Korba, Chhattisgarh.
Over the last three years, BALCO’s structured efforts in animal welfare have positively impacted over 5,000 animals, reflecting a growing commitment to the cause. Focused interventions for cattle welfare, such as the distribution of over 3,000 reflective collars in partnership with the District Veterinary Department, have helped prevent road accidents. These were complemented by four extensive veterinary health camps that benefitted more than 2,500 cattle, offering deworming, wound care, and reproductive health services which directly supported local farmers who rely on livestock for their livelihoods.
Building on these efforts, BALCO has also addressed the welfare of stray dogs through targeted health interventions. In collaboration with TACO, over 300 dogs were vaccinated as part of drives aimed at preventing zoonotic diseases like rabies. In addition, recognizing the added challenges of extreme heat, the Water Bowl Challenge was initiated for stray animals, placing hydration bowls across high-footfall areas and encouraging community participation. Employees and local volunteers actively supported the initiative through regular feeding and water bowl placements.
Reflecting on the milestone, Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Founder – TACO, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd and Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Limited, said,
“Over the past three years, TACO’s journey has been both personal and deeply purposeful. At its core is a simple yet powerful belief: animals deserve the same dignity, care, and protection as humans. What started as a vision has grown into a thriving community of compassion – building shelters, hospitals, education programs, and emergency care services. It’s incredibly heartening to see how this mission has sparked everyday acts of kindness, from placing water bowls during the summer heat to ensuring safe passage for stray animals.”
Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director, BALCO, added, “At BALCO, we believe that awareness coupled with empathy can spark meaningful change. From fitting reflective collars on cattle to encouraging the placement of water bowls during summer, these seemingly small actions are saving lives of countless animals. Our collaboration with TACO has empowered employees and communities alike to participate in building a culture of care, compassion, and co-existence.”
Ramsahay Patel, an employee volunteer, shared, “Something as simple as placing a bowl of water for stray dogs or helping a calf cross the road safely can make a world of difference. Being part of this initiative has made me more mindful. There are multiple ways through which BALCO tries to inculcate a culture of care within all its employees and business partners.”
Launched in April 2022, The Animal Care Organization (TACO) is Vedanta Limited’s flagship animal welfare initiative, aimed at strengthening the ecosystem for stray and community animals. It offers comprehensive services including rescue, rehabilitation, preventive care, geriatric support, and free OPD facilities for livestock and pets.
TACO also operates a super specialty veterinary hospital equipped for diagnostics, emergency response, spaying and neutering, and advanced treatment. All business units of Vedanta Limited, including BALCO, actively contribute to advancing TACO’s mission of holistic animal care.
