Legal Entity & Relationship
Forest First operates as a specialized ecological restoration and land stewardship cell under the direct governance of The Heritage Foundation. The Heritage Foundation is an established non-governmental organization registered as a public charitable trust under Indian law.
All legal contracts, land purchases, and regulatory filings associated with the Forest First rewilding initiative are formally executed by the trustees of The Heritage Foundation.
Statutory Registrations
The Heritage Foundation maintains full statutory compliance for public charitable trusts. Key registrations include:
- 12A Status: Registered under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, establishing the organization as a recognized public charitable entity.
- 80G Exemption: Approved under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. All contributions to the Foundation qualify for a 50% tax deduction under standard statutory limits.
- Permanent Account Number (PAN): AADTT8323J
- Date of Trust Incorporation: May 13, 2020
Financial Stewardship
Contributions received specifically for Forest First are allocated to a dedicated, audited conservation and land-stewardship account pool. In accordance with trust bylaws:
- 100% of earmarked conservation contributions are used directly for land procurement, native tree cultivation, invasive species eradication, and tribal community forest-management wages.
- Statutory audit records and annual accounts are verified by an independent chartered accountant and submitted to the Income Tax Department annually.
Office & Enquiries
For official trust records, audit statements, or regulatory compliance information, you may contact the central administration office:
The Heritage Foundation
Office: 4/270, Mohan Estate, Nericombai, Kookalthorai,
Kotagiri, The Nilgiris - 643217, Tamil Nadu, India.
Email: info@the-heritage.org